9.+Activity+8

=AMONG THE HIDDEN PROJECT BLOGGING ACTIVITIES=

=How did Jen communicate with the other "Shadow Children" around the United States? She used the internet, of course! Isn't that what social networking is all about?= = = =Now it is your turn to get involved in the action as you take on the identity of your "Shadow Child." For the next few weeks, every time your class comes to the computer lab you will be blogging with each other about things related to being a "Shadow Child." Ultimately, you will be planning for the big rally in Washington D.C. and discussing it with each other. You will have to decide whether or not you are going, how you will get there, how you feel about the whole thing, and more.= = = =There will be some rules that you must follow while posting your blogs. If you fail to follow the rules, your entries will not be posted. You will get more details regarding the rules in your first blogging assignment.= = = =For security reasons, the link to our school's blog is not provided on this site. Your teacher will provide you with the link.= = = = So, it is time to "become" you "Shadow Child." Let the blogging begin! =

= Activity 1: Introduction to Blogging =

**Welcome students. We are excited about the opportunities to communicate and express our ideas with each other using this blogging format. It is our expectation that participants will respect each other's ideas and opinions at all times and will demonstrate common courtesies when responding to each other. All response posts will be screened by the moderator before posting. Any responses that are determined to be inappropriate will not be posted. Students must use standard rules for grammar and writing in this blog. "Texting lingo" is not appropriate and will not be accepted. **

**In an effort to keep our site safe and secure, we ask that you do not include our school name in any of your posts. Students must use screen names in place of their real names. These names will be established by students with the teacher who is moderating their blogs.**

** After a short demonstration by your teacher to show you how to log in and navigate in the blog, read the blogging instructions below and get started! **

**"Day In The Life of a Shadow Child" Activity**

** Today as you blog with your fellow Shadow Child friends, we want you to get to know each other better. Tell each other about where you live and what you do every day. Talk about your house, the surroundings outside your house, your "freedoms" (like whether or not you have a shopping pass), whether your family is rich, poor, or somewhere in between, etc. Do you ever get to go outside? If so, to do what? Do you have other brothers and sisters at home with you? Do you get to watch TV, play on the computer, etc.? Since you don't go to school, how are you learning to read, write, do math, etc,? Do you like being at home all of the time or are you really anxious to become free? Are you afraid? What are your favorite things to do while you are at home alone? **

** Once you have posted the above information about yourself, start reading other people's posts. You will need to click on the "refresh" key frequently to see new postings. Respond to at least 3 other Shadow Children. Ask additional questions and comment about something they have said. **

** This discussion may extend to a couple of class periods as you get used to how the blog works. **