-- Blogmeister

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INTRODUCTION TO BLOGGING
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Step 1: Find the 9CP English Class Blog
1.Go to www.classblogmeister.com
2.On the RIGHT hand side of the screen, in the box below the words READ BLOGMEISTERS type the name of the blogger you are trying to find. . . . in this case MELANIE TRANSUE
3.When the blog comes up, read the most recent ARTICLE (posted in the center area of the blog) and TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS (assignments are listed—most recent on top—in the RIGHT hand column).

Step 2: Create Your Own Blog
1.On the RIGHT hand side of the class blog find your section
2.Click on your name; if your name is spelled wrong, tell your instructer before customizing your blog.
3.Click LOGIN in the upper LEFT hand corner of the screen, in the black bar.
4.Your user name: YOUR FIRST NAME -SPACE- LAST NAME
5.Your password: same as your computer password
6.Ta da! Your blog is now created!

Step 3: Customize Your Blog
1. Change the background and/or color of your blog
•Scroll trough templates at the top of the screen; choose one you like or go to templates 7, 8, or 9
•(if using template 7, 8, or 9) select EDIT TEMPLATE COLORS then adjust the colors in any way you choose.
•Click SELECT TEMPLATE to apply any template to your blog.

2. Give your blog a name and type a short paragraph about yourself
•Click CONTROL PANEL at the top
•Type the name you want in the YOUR BLOG TITLE box
Blogmeister gives these tips about giving your blog a name: “Blog names must be cryptic and self effacing. The title should have almost nothing to do with the topic at hand. But basically, anything goes. Find a title that seems appropriate for you and that has a good rhythm, and know that you can change it at any time. (Note that titles with apostrophes, such as Clio's Ghosts, and possibly with other punctuation marks will not be accepted because of how they translate into computer code.)”
•Type a brief paragraph about you in the ABOUT YOU box.
Hobbies, interests, extra curricular activities, family, pets, etc. are good thing to mention. Do not give your full name, hometown, phone number or other personal information.
You may also post widgets in the ABOUT YOU box. Game widgets will not be approved.
•When you are done with all changes in the control box area, select SUBMIT DESCRIPTIONS.

3. Add a picture
•The picture on the left of your page is selected by your instructor; it cannot be changed. You may select a picture to go in the upper right-hand side of your own blog.
•Save whatever picture you want to use to your student drive (30 JPG or smaller).
•In the CONTROL PANEL feature Select BROWSE and find your saved image
•Click UPLOAD

4. View the finished product by selecting VIEW MY BLOG
PS: Remember, some of the information you created won’t post until your instructor approves them. Patience is a virtue.

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SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS AND ARTICLES
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To submit a blog:
1.Log-in to your blog.
2.If you do not see EDIT MODE in red letters at the top, Click EDIT in the upper LEFT hand corner of the screen, in the black bar.
3.Click ARTICLES
4.Type an attention getting title for your article in the ARTICLE TITLE box. It should encourage readers to read your blog. A title like “Assignment #1” is not very attention getting.
5.Click GRAPHICAL to RIGHT of the title box. This opens up some additional text features. Copy and paste your blog from the Word document where you typed it the first time. (Duh! The screen’s bigger; it has spell & grammar check; and it doesn’t time out).
6.Adjust your text as needed. Specifically, make sure the paragraph breaks and spacing transferred properly.
7.Ignore the podcast box.
8.Click the arrow next to ASSIGNMENTS and select which assignment you are submitting.
9.Click the REQUEST PUBLISHING box. This sends your blog to your instructor for approval. If you do not click publish, your article is saved but not submitted.
10.Click SAVE

Note: Publish means ready for the world to read. Articles which have grammar errors or are incorrect will not be approved. Doing it right the first time means less work for you.

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RUBRIC
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How blogs will be graded?
I. Assignment Submissions (15 points)
*You have until mid-night on any due date to submit your work*

1. Initial Submission: 5 points
-4 points when late

2. Finalized Submission: 10 points
In order to be approved, your response must be 100% complete and have NO conventions errors.
-2 points when submissions

II. Commenting (5 points)
Comment on the work of at least two other 9th grade students in your section. Comments are due 2 days after the final submission due date and must be at least 3 sentences long.
-1 point when late

Following up on a submission:
1.Allow 48 hours Miss Transue to read and comment on your work.
2.An email will be sent if your work needs revision. Be sure you complete your blog (revisions and all) before the final submission date. See REVISING A BLOG below.
3.Once approved, go to the class blog site or your own blog site to view your work.
4.Comment on the blogs of other 9th grade students. See COMMENTING below.

Revising a Blog
1.If your blog needs revision, select ARTICLE from the edit mode of your own blog site.
2.Find the article in need of revision below the submission panel.
3.Select your article.
4.Click TEXT to RIGHT of the title box. This allows you to read the teacher’s notes. Don’t panic if it makes your blog look weird; this is the HTML code version of your blog.
5.Read the teacher’s comments, then revise your blog based on comments. Note: You must save before toggling between TEXT and GRAPHICAL to prevent you changes from disappearing.
6.Click the REQUEST PUBLISHING box. Remember, if you do not click publish, your article is saved but not submitted.
7.Click SAVE

Commenting on the Blogs of Other’s (Elk Lake and around the world)
1.Login to your account before searching blogs
2.After reading a blog you liked or had a question about, click on COMMENT under the blog post
3.Click on ADD A COMMENT
4.If you are not logged in:
•Type your FIRST NAME ONLY in the name box. (Do not type your full name or share personal information.)
•Optional: Put your SCHOOL E-CHALK address only into the E-MAIL blank.
•Optional: Copy and paste the URL of your personal blog. (This allows the author a direct link to your blog.)
5.Type your comment in the comment box.
•Make your comment substantial (2 or more sentences).
•Say more than just good work or I agree. Include reasons for your opinions, comment on the part you liked the best, or make background connections to the post.
6.Complete the “prove that your human” box
7.Click SUBMIT.
8.You should see: “Your comment has been sent to the blogger’s teacher for approval. Thank-you for the conversation…”

Adding a Picture to your Blog Article
1. Login to your account and follow directions for submitting an article
2. Make sure you are in GRAPHICAL mode
3. Place your cursor where you want the image to be
4. Click the MOUNTAIN icon (next to the smiley face)
5. Paste URL ADDRESS of a FULL SCREEN image in the URL box
6. Click OK
7. Image should appear in the article box; if it does not get a different URL
8. Click on image to adjust the size
9. Click the REQUEST PUBLISHING box to submit your article

Adding an HTLM Product to your Blog Article
1.Login to your account and follow directions for submitting an article
2.Make sure you are in TEXT mode (This shows your blog in HTML code)
3.Place your cursor where you want the product to be
4.Paste HLTM or EMBEDDED CODE
5.SAVE your blog (If you do not save, changes will disappear when you toggle to GRAPHICAL mode)
6.Switch to GRAPHICAL mode
7.Select your article again
8.Your product or its icon should be visible in this mode
9.Click the REQUEST PUBLISHING box to submit your article