A few basics...

I'm so excited that we'll be able to talk about our book together over this internet blog!

I'll post questions for you to talk about, and when you come onto the site, you can read my questions and answer the ones you want to. One of your goals should be to read the "posts" or comments by your book club members and to think about and respond to what they have said. When you do that, you're really learning some great people and communication skills like paying attention, thinking about other points of view, and deciding what you believe and whether or not you agree and why. That's great stuff!

Three main rules:

1. Talk and write to each other just as if we're in school--with respect. That means even if you disagree with another reader, you don't do it by saying anything negative or hurtful about that person.

2. In every post make sure the other readers can fully understand what you're trying to say. This isn't like a cell phone text message where you use short letters in place of the real words. We're practicing our communication skills here, so write out the words. For example, don't write, "R U readng ch 9 now. IDK if I get it. Do u?" Also, if you want to talk about something specific in your post, try to include the page number of the book, so others can go to that page and check out what you're talking about.

3. In every post, try to think about and respond to at least one thing someone else has said before you. Blogs are good for having online "conversations" or talks that have real back and forth, give and take--as long as the readers are really "listening" to each other.

So get reading, get blogging, and have fun! We'll be reading and blogging along with you. Can't wait!