Stepping Up Our Blogging Game

By now, you should have two blog posts under your belt.  So, it's time to step up our blogging game!  Before we do this, let's check our posts first.

Ask yourself:

• Do I have two posts? If not, your task this period is, first and foremost, to create these.  We are available this period to help you with any technical or writing issues that you are having.  
• Does my post have a title?  Is it something that reveals the content of my post?  If you've titled your post with "10/10 Homework," try to think of something a little more creative.
• Is your post labeled properly?  Does it have your name and the title of your book?  Can you push yourself to think of a few more relevant labels?
• Is your post free of spelling and grammatical errors?

Once you have answered all four of these questions with a resounding "yes," you can now begin customizing your blog with the rest of your blogging group!

You will all be made blog "admins," free to make changes to your blog's name and appearance.

Here are some things that you may want to discuss in your group:

• Do we want to change our blog title?  (This can be done by going to your Dashboard, clicking on "Settings," and then on the "Basic" tab underneath that.  You should see a place where you can change the title.)
• Do we want to change our blog's appearance?  (This can be done by going to your Dashboard and clicking on "Design."  On the first page you can edit the blog's layout, adding or removing "gadgets."  You can change the color, font, and picture by clicking on "Template Designer" at the top.)
• Do we want to add any websites to our "Blogroll," or as Google calls it, a Blog List?  (This can be done by going to your Dashboard and clicking on "Design" and then "Add a Gadget."  A "blogroll" is a collection of blogs that you like, read, follow, etc.  Hint: you may want to add your classmates' blogs to your blogroll!)

Remember, your blog should take into account all of your group members' preferences.  Please make changes only if you have everyone's consent.

Also, please use your admin privileges wisely.  We think you guys are responsible enough to make your group's blog amazing.  We would hate to have to take away your privileges if we notice anything less-than-fantastic.

Happy Blogging!