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Below you will find answers to the most common Forum questions
Community Participation
Registration and Logging In
Browsing and Searching
Personalization
Posting Messages
Advanced Board Usage
Live Forums (Chats)
Community Participation
How does the Community Forum work?
The Community Forum provides a place for you to participate in discussions with other Scholastic.com visitors and meet special guests and authors online. At its heart are the message boards, where registered members post questions and answers. Guests (un-registered visitors) may browse or search the boards for information. Registered members can post messages, track discussions, and get email notifications on new posting activity.
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What is my role in the community?
You are essential to the community. By posting questions and sharing answers, not only do you contribute to a unique, customer-built knowledgebase, but you also become part of a virtual support network extending across literally hundreds of thousands of potential users. We encourage you visit often and participate. Come with your toughest issues - chances are, someone has a solution or can point you in the right direction. If you find a solution that works, let others know, and pass along your own tips and insights - you just may have the answer someone else has been seeking! Please remember to thank fellow users who have assisted you. Show your appreciation by rating helpful messages or posting thank you replies. Scholastic's ranking system distinguishes teachers and parents who regularly contribute to meaningful discussion on our forums. Your ranking will be based on how frequently you participate and how highly other community members rate your messages.
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What is my responsibility in the community?
We want the Community Forum to be appropriate, friendly, informative, and fun for all users. The Community Forum Terms of Service sets forth Rules and Guidelines so that you know what is expected of you, and what you can expect from other participants, when using the Forum.
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Registration and Logging In
Why should I register?
Registration allows you to fully participate in the Community Forum. As a teacher or parent who is registered, you'll be able to: - Post new messages
- Post responses to existing messages
- Receive an email notification when someone responds to a specified post or thread
- Exchange Private Messages with other members
- Personalize your experience on the boards.
Student do not need to register to participate. If you're a student, you just enter your Screen Name every time you visit, and you'll be able to: - Post new messages
- Post responses to existing messages
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Can I use the message boards if I don't register?
You will have limited access if you do not register. Teachers or parents who don't register and students who don't want to enter a Screen Name, can browse and read Forum messages as a "guest." You will not be able to post messages, interact with the other members or personalize the way boards are displayed.
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How do I register?
If you are a parent or teacher, just click the Register link. If you are a student, you can go straight to the student message boards. Simply follow the instructions to enter a Screen Name before you post a new message or respond to an existing message.
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Browsing and Searching
How are the message boards organized?
The community is divided up into different categories, which are based on broad topics. Each category contains boards that get more specific about the topic or subject. Find the category and message board title that best describes your question or comment.
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How do I browse for information?
Many users like to get started by exploring the message boards. Choose a category that best fits your topic. Next, look over the list of boards, find one whose title pertains to your question or comment then click on its title. Take read messages that look interesting by clicking the message title or subject. You can use the Previous/Next buttons to browse other pages and messages. If you can't find what you need by browsing, use the Search Forum tool (see below).
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How do I search for information?
To search the Forum, type keywords for your topic into the Search Forum text box and click the search icon. (This text box is found near the bottom of most pages.) A page of search results will be displayed. Browse the search results in the same manner you would a message board. To perform a more in-depth search, click the Advanced link found on the left side of most Forum pages. This search allows you to limit your query to a specific board, specific parts of the message (subject vs. body) and other advanced options. When you register as a teacher or parent, you can also search for Forum members by clicking the Users tab on any search results page and using the search options on this page.
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Personalization
How do I change the icon next to my name?
The icon (also known as an avatar) is a way to personalize your User Name. When you register as a teacher or parent, you'll be given a default icon. To change it: - Login to the Forum.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click the Icons tab.
A list of available icon categories will be displayed on the left side. When you click on a category, the icons in that category will display on the right. - Click on any icon to use it as your avatar. Your current icon always shows up at the top of the icons page.
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How do I create a signature for my posts?
When you register as a teacher or parent, you can create a signature, which is text that appears at the bottom of every message you post to the boards. - Login to the Forum.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click on the Personal Profile tab.
- On the Personal Profile tab, fill in the text you want for you signature in the Signature field.
- Click Save Changes.
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How do I tell other users about me?
When you register as a teacher or parent, you can create a personal profile to share with other Community members. - Login to the Forum.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click the Personal Profile tab.
- Find the Personal Profile section and fill in any fields you want to share.
By default, any information you type in this section is shown to everyone. However, you can limit display to only members on your Friends List by choosing the Friends Only option in the Profile Privacy section at the bottom of the Preferences tab.
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How do I set my Forum viewing preferences?
When you register as a teacher or parent, there are a number of display preferences you can set for your Forum experience. These are described in the table below. To modify: - Log into the Forum.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click the Preferences tab.
- Make any changes you wish, as described in the table below.
- Click Save Changes.
| Display Settings | | Time zone Offset from GMT | Sets the default posting time for all messages. When a user views a message, the time and date it was posted is interpreted as the default timezone. If a user posts a message at 11 PM Eastern Time, for example, and the server is set to Central Time, the message will show up as having been posted at 10 PM CT.
Users registered as teachers or parents can change the default timezone for their view in their own preferences.
The time is set as an offset from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), also known as Universal Time (UT) or Zulu Time.
Enter the number of hours your timezone is ahead or behind Greenwich, England. Pacific Time in the United States, for example, is -8. Eastern Time is -5.
| Automatically Adjust Times for Daylight Savings
| If your default timezone setting is in an area that observes Daylight Savings Time, check this box. | | Board Format | This option sets the default format for all boards in the community. This option can be overridden in individual boards and by registered users. - Threaded - Traditional message board format. Replies to a message are listed under the original message, indented as in an outline. Good for picking individual messages out, not so good for following a particular thread.
- Linear - Only the original post in a thread is shown on the main screen. Clicking on the headline brings up a page with all the replies shown together. Good for reading a whole thread all at once.
- Split Screen - Shows the list of messages, in threaded view, in the upper half of the window and a message in the lower. Any message clicked on in the upper screen displays in the lower. Note: Split Screen format is only available in Internet Explorer 5.5 or later.
| | In Split-Screen View, Collapse Threads by Default? | Only applies if you have set Board Format to Split-Screen view.
In Split Screen view, threads show up in outline format. They can be expanded or collapsed by clicking the + or - symbol next to the thread. This checkbox indicates whether your default view is to have all the threads expanded or all the threads collapsed. | | Menu Bar Display Style | You can indicate whether menu bar entries show a text label, an icon, or both. | | Bandwidth Options | Sets the default bandwidth options for all boards in the community. Setting can be overridden at the board and user level. The Normal Bandwidth setting is good for users on high-speed connections or fast modems. Users on very slow modems may want to use the Low Bandwidth option, which reduces the number of images that are downloaded. | | Messages Per Page in Linear Format | Indicates how many messages appear on each displayed page if the board format is set to Linear. If your users generally have larger display monitors, you can increase this number. If smaller, then you can decrease it. | | Messages Per Page in Split Screen Format | Indicates how many messages appear in the top panel when you view the boards in split screen format. | | Messages Per Page in Threaded Format | Indicates how many threads appear on each displayed page if the board format is set to Threaded. If your users generally have larger display monitors, you can increase this number. If smaller, then you can decrease it. | | Automatic Message Marking Options | When you open (read) a message, it is automatically marked as read. Some boards have so much traffic that not all users can keep up, so there are other ways to have messages marked as read. - Never (Manual) - This option, always available, leaves all unviewed messages marked as unread unless you have actually read them or specifically mark them as read.
- Mark by Days - All unread message older than the number of days indicated in the Auto Mark Read Days field are marked as read.
- Mark after Logoff - All unviewed messages are marked as read whenever you log off.
| | Auto Mark Read Days | If you selected Mark by Days in the Automatic Message Marking Options radio buttons, you'll need to specify the number of days after which unread messages will be marked read. | | Show Confirmation Page on a Successful Post | Shows a post confirmation page on a successful post with links to the board and message. If this is unchecked, on a successful post a redirection to the board takes place. | | Personal Privacy Settings | | Profile Privacy | Lets you determine who can view your profile. - All - Everyone can see your profile.
- Friends Only - Only people on your Friend List can see your profile.
- None - No one can see your profile.
| | Online Status | Lets you determine who can see whether you're online. - All - Everyone can see when you're online.
- Friends Only - Only people on your Friend List can see whether you're online.
- None - No one can see whether you're online.
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Posting Messages
How do I post a message?
Go to the board you want to post on, and click the New Message link near the top of the message list. If you are a teacher or parent, you will be asked to sign in as a registered Scholastic.com user before you can post. If you are a student, you will be asked to enter a Screen Name before you can post. On the Post Message page, you will see a Subject area and a Body area. - In the first field, the Subject field, type a title for you message.
This is the only part of the message that shows up on the message listing page, so try to make it something that will be clear and concise. Use keywords about your topic. - In the second field, the Body field, type your message. Put details about your topic here. If you are posting on a technical topic, it is helpful to include all pertinent information regarding your inquiry in the body.
- You can use the controls to change the fonts, colors, and other aspects of your message. You can add smiley faces using the smiley menu. And you can format the text at the character or paragraph level. Note: the message editing controls are only available in Internet Explorer, version 5.5 or later.
- You can also click Check Spelling to correct misspelled words, or click Preview Post to see what your post will look like on the boards. Note: the spell checking and preview features are only available in Internet Explorer 5.5 or later.
- When you are happy with your message, click the Submit Post button.
Your message will be added to board and everyone else on the board will be able to read it.
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How do I reply to a message?
Use the Reply button in a message to write a response to a particular post. You'll see a screen similar to the Post Message screen. There are a few differences: - When you reply to a post, the subject line will be filled in for you automatically. You can change it if you want.
- You can use the Quote Post button to paste the message to which you are replying into the body of your reply.
Also, when you post a message as a reply, it will be added to the existing thread. It won't create a new thread. If you are a teacher or parent, you must be a registered Scholastic.com user in order to reply to a message. If you are a student, you must enter a Screen Name in order to reply to a message.
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How do I rate a message?
Please take the take the time to rate helpful messages. To do so, log into the Forum and look for the Rate This Message (Thread) feature at the bottom of messages and threads. Note: authors cannot rate their own messages and users may rate a specific message only once. All ratings are automatically averaged.
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What is a "thread"?
When one or more people reply to a particular message, a "thread" is created. A thread is a series of posts that go together. If you've ever heard of someone "following the thread of a conversation," you get the idea. If you post a new message, then that starts a new thread. If you reply to an existing message, then that message becomes part of the original message's thread.
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How do I use macros?
If you are a registered teacher or parent, then you can use the Macros feature, which allows you to create boilerplate text that you can paste into any message with the click of a mouse. Note: macros are only available in Internet Explorer, version 5.5 or later. To set up a macro: - Log into the Forum.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click the Macros tab.
Fields for entering up to nine (9) macros will be displayed. - In the Macro 1 Title field, enter a short title for your first macro.
The title should be short because it will show up in a pulldown menu. Make sure it is distinctive enough that you will remember which title belongs with which macro. - In the Macro 1 field, enter the text you want to be able to paste. If your boards allow HTML, you can use HTML tags in the field.
- Enter any other macros you wish.
- Click Save Changes.
Your macros will be saved to your profile in the database. Note: If there is particular text that you wish to appear at the bottom of every message you post, put the text in a signature instead of a macro. To use a macro - Log into the Forum.
- Navigate to a board where you want to post a message.
- Click New Message.
(Or you can reply to an existing message by opening that message and clicking the Reply button. - Once the post message window is loaded, you will see a Macros menu.
- Click in the Body field where you want to paste your text.
If the text is short, you can also paste it in the Subject field. - Click on the Macro menu to open it.
- Select the macro you wish to paste.
The text of your macro will paste where you have your cursor. - Type any other text you wish in the message body.
- Click Submit Post.
Note: If there is particular text that you wish to appear at the bottom of every message you post, put the text in a signature instead of a macro.
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Advanced Board Usage
How do I use bookmarks?
When you register as a teacher or parent, you can use our Bookmarks feature, which allows you to list boards, threads, and individual messages on a special page so you can easily find them again. To bookmark a board: - Log into the Forum.
- Go to the board you want to bookmark.
- Open the Board Options menu and click Add this Board to my bookmarks.
To add a thread or message to your bookmarks: - Log into the Forum.
- Open the message you want to bookmark.
- Open the Message Options menu and click Add this Thread/Message to my bookmarks
To view your bookmarks, click My Profile, and then click the Bookmarks tab.
To delete any of your bookmarks, click My Profile, and then click the Bookmarks tab. Place a checkmark in the bookmark you want to delete from the list and click the Remove option for that section.
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How do I use subscriptions?
When you register as a teacher or parent, you can use our subscriptions feature. If you add a board, thread, or message to your subscriptions, the system will send you an email every time someone posts to the board, or replies to the message or thread. To add a board to your Subscriptions - Log into the Forum.
- Go to the board to which you want to subscribe.
- Open the Board Options menu and click Add board to my subscriptions.
Add a message to your Subscriptions - Log into the Forum.
- Open the message to which you want to subscribe to.
- Open the Message Options menu and click Add this Thread to my subscriptions or Add this Message to my subscriptions.
To view or delete your subscriptions, click My Profile, and then click the Subscriptions tab. To delete any of your subscriptions, click My Profile, and then click the Subscription tab. Place a checkmark in the subscription you want to delete from the list and click the Remove option for that section.
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How do I use the dashboard?
When you register as a teacher or parent, you have access to your own dashboard. This is a small window that displays useful information and links. It is launched when you click your bolded screen name (link) that appears near the top of most Forum pages. The dashboard displays: - Your current icon.
Click on the icon to change it. - Your current statistics
- A link to the Web Instant Messenger
Click the envelope to launch the Instant Messenger and reply to your messages. - Your subscriptions and bookmarks, including recent activity
Click on a subscription or bookmark to see what's new in those areas. - Quick links to search, chat, your profile, and more
To launch your dashboard, log in, then click on your user name in the header bar, or click on dashboard.
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Live Forums (Chats)
What are Live Forums?
Live Forums (Chats) allow users to directly interact in real-time with featured guests or with each other. Read below for answers to some common issues related to Live Forums.
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How do I find and join a Live Forum?
While browsing forums pages, such as the front page, you will sometimes see a "Live Forum" link. Click the link to enter the Live Forum (chat room). If the link is not clickable, then the room is closed. In most cases you will need to sign in before being allowed into the Live Forum. Once you've signed in using the e-mail address or login and password associated with your forum account (the details of how to log in depend on the site), agreed to the Terms of Service and the User's Guidelines, you may enter the Live Forum. Our Live Forums uses Java applets technology, which runs in a secure environment within your Web browser. Answer "Yes" if your browser prompts you for authorization to install the Java applet. Now you are ready to type questions or comments to other people who are in the same Live Forum. Your presence in a Live Forum will be indicated in the control window on the right-hand side. Of course, you do not have to participate in the chat and may choose to only watch the conversations as they happen.
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What are the system requirements for using the Live Forums? (Java)
Our Live Forums service is a Java-enabled application that is designed to work across many browsers and operating systems. When you first try to enter a live forum, your browser may ask you if you want to install the Java applet. This is a security measure created by the developers of Java and your browser to ensure that you know a new program is being installed. The download is completely free and should take only a few seconds depending on your connection speed. If prompted, you must answer "Yes" to use the applet and begin chatting. Java 1.1 (and up) and JavaScript 2.0 (and up) work satisfactorily for Internet Explorer 5.0 (and up) and Netscape 4.7 (and up). Most computers manufactured in the last few years will be able to run this configuration. The Java applet will work on the latest Safari browser and Java version on the Mac as well, which you can get on OSX through "Software Update". Java will not automatically install on Windows XP. If you are on Windows XP, or are having trouble with the automatic install on any Windows platform, you can download the latest version of Java at www.java.com. This is a free download.  Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
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What about security in Live Forums?
We take your security seriously and strive to provide the most secure possible environment. The only piece of information that is ever seen by other users is your personally selected forums login/user name. If you are registered as a teacher or parent, then items that you have chosen to make public in your profile may also be seen by other users. At the same time, there is no expectation of privacy for any form of communication that is provided to you on the Live Forums, and you should assume that the content of your conversations within the Live Forums is not private. In particular, never disclose your personal contact information, credit card numbers, or other personal information via the Live Forums service.
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Who am I interacting with in Live Forums?
You are chatting with featured guests, site staff (such as moderators), and your fellow community members. Every registered user has the same user name and icon in Live Forums as they do on the message boards and in other areas of Scholastic's Forum Community.
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When are Live Forums available?
Hours vary depending on the particular chat. From time to time, we take down the service in order to perform regular maintenance or to upgrade features. In addition, certain popular rooms may be unavailable if they are already full.
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What are the Terms and Conditions of Use for Live Forums?
All customers using our Live Forums must first read, understand, and agree to abide by the site's Terms of Service and the User's Guidelines. Violations of these terms may be reported to the site administrators. Please include the login of the participant you're reporting, the name of the Live Forum you were in when the incident occurred, the date and time of the incident, and any other details you feel may be relevant. We will take appropriate action; however, for reasons of account privacy, we cannot notify you of the outcome.
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I'm having trouble using Live Forums, what do I do now?
Please check the system requirements for using the Live Forums. If any of the following problems occur: Blank frames, no applet appears, a large grey box (the applet background) remains but no chat window appears, you may not have the right version of Internet Explorer or Netscape, Java or JavaScript, or you may have disabled Java or JavaScript. Try enabling these features and/or upgrading your browser and/or Java versions. If you receive a "Connection refused" messages, your company or ISP may have a firewall that limits the kinds of connections your computer can make to outside Web sites. Try accessing the Live Forums service from a computer outside the firewall.
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