What the eyes read, the mind knows.

   Since old times, words were written in clay tablets, scrolls, and papyrus until the printing press was invented. How wonderful this creation was! Just imagine having simply thoughts, feelings, emotions, experiences, and reflections in barren leaves! Then, little by little books were written, and published; people read, opened their minds, and could get smarter every single day. Nowadays, people enjoy having a journey through stories; people enjoy seeing what they have inside through reading books, because they are like mirrors… You interpret things according to your thoughts, your life.

   Reading enriches people’s lives; enriches the world around us as well. Books enable us to participate in the world around learning about other cultures, places, societies, ways of thinking, lessons, experiences, travels; in fact, books enable us to be where we have never been, to see what we have never seen, to explore what we have never explored before. They encourage to go beyond our mind without any fear... Just imagination is involved in them!  

   This activity brings a lot of benefits. Firstly, it provides an escape from day to day. It is like taking a break, to be transported in another world. Here, there are no boundaries. Secondly, the beauty of the language has the ability to calm and relax us. Lastly, if you read a book, it will help your health. It relieves the stress, because it takes your mind off your problems - like a therapy - and worries. 

   Definitely, reading is like exercising: mental and physical benefits flow from a regular routine. I always remember what someone said: "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." So, where would we be without books? How could we let our imagination flow if books didn't exist?

Here you have a picture that reflects what I wrote:

Welcome English 6 bloggers!

The blogging task is a space for interaction that we have created as part of our class. We hope this becomes a platform to express freely, exchange ideas and reflections. The blog can be also used as a platform to share materials and links that can help us expand our knowledge about science and technology and any other related issue discussed in class.

Guidelines

• The blogging tasks officially opens on September 3rd, but we will set up a trial task to ensure everybody knows how to blog well ahead of time.
• You should initiate a minimum of 10 discussions/entries on any of the topics we will cover in class. You need to have five entries done before October 5th and the other at least two weeks before the semester ends (November 16th).
•  Each entry should be between 200-250 words.
• For each entry, include a short intro or topic sentence, develop your idea and finish with an open-ended question that prompts discussion.
• You should respond to at least 10 entries posted by your classmates. Your response could support, expand and/or contradict your classmates’ opinion, by presenting a clear argument and using some kind of evidence to back up your claim.
• You should produce high quality entries that further discussion and reflection. We are interested in the quality of your argumentation, especially as evidence of critical thinking skills.
• Do not wait until the end of the semester to engage with the blogging community.

Here some tips for individual entries:

• Entries should be only written in English.
• Proofread your post before submitting it. Check your spelling, grammar and even your use of language. Make sure you do not offend anyone with your comments.
• Use clear and academic language. Avoid sarcasm and profanity.
• Respect yourself and your readers´ time. Do not post unnecessary materials or get your comments linked to unsuitable sites.
• Blogging is a community activity, and as such, it requires from you to get involved. Reply to your classmates only if you feel you have something “smart” to say.
• Avoid posts that simply confirm or reject information.
• Use pictures and/or media to reinforce your point not just for “decoration”.

Assessment:

• The blogging task will be worth 20% of the total grade of the course. You will receive feedback from your professor (10%) as well as from two classmates (5% each). 
• For the peer-feedback part of the assessment, two of your classmates will be randomly selected and asked to assess your work using the rubrics for evaluation provided for that purpose.

Key dates

Date	Activity
August 20th	Group training & first task
Sept 3rd	Blog officially opens
October 5th	Peer assessment due
November 16th	Blog officially closes
November 20th	Peer assessment due