Application

Types of journals:

dialogue (conversation writing) diary (Reflection on anything in life- school and outside) double entry (Reflection any subject) character reflection (reading) learning log (Reflection any subject) response (Reflection any subject) experiment (Science) literature (Reading reflection) digital-age (blogs) writer's notebook (Writing) kid's writing (Pre-School, Kindergarten and First Grade) life stories (reflective journals on life events, interactive writing)

Uses across the curriculum

reading: reflections on what has been read, keeping track of details in a story, making connections

science: to record information about experiments, make predictions, track progress, weather journal

social studies: journaling as a person during a specific time period, respond to newspaper articles/current events

math: allow students to reflect on areas they may struggle, or areas they are advanced, and want to learn more (a reflection tool) keep track of how to solve types of problems, especially tricky ones.

Benefits/challenges

The benefits are that each student can be writing on his/her own level, journaling can be modified for use in many subjects and configurations, it can aid in monitoring student comprehension. Journals offer personalized learning and allow time for non-classroom talk between the teacher and the student. Journal writing can elicit information from students that could not be obtained in any other way. It allows children to draw upon their home culture and introduce it into the classroom. (Journal writing helps facilitate reflection, as well as helping students to make decisions or solving problems. It helps students to construct their own knowledge, as well as improves their writing and critical thinking skills. It enhances their observational, creative and of course their writing skills. Students take pride in their writing when they work with journals!) (I edited some stuff in the paragraph, and then added to the end, in parenthesis, though that probably needs to be edited as well)

Some challenges are that students can say that they don't know what to write, you could over use journaling and students would get bored (or journaled to death. The teacher needs to make sure they do not overrely on journalsas a reflective tool.) The teacher must be sure to set parameters and expectations for the journaling, lest it get out of control. (For example, sometimes students may write descriptive entries, instead of reflection, when that's not what they are supposed to be doing. Teachers need to be aware of students misuse of journals as well, as students may write inappropriate things, or attack other students or faculty at the school. Students sometimes want to please the teacher so much, that instead of writing what they want to write, they would write to "please the teacher" to try to get a good grade, but that is not the goal of journal writing. Also, it is difficult to help students develop 'correct writing skills' when you are not correcting their journal writing. Finally, if the class is working with dialogue journals, it takes up much of the teachers time to read and reflect on the students' entries, so be aware of that.)

Tips for Teachers: 1. Establish Confidentiality - let the students know exactly who will be reading their journals and for what reason

2. Establish a routine (and schedule especially with adequate time for reflection and writing)

3. Establish rules, expectations and promises - for you AND the kids

4. Establish Rapport - you open up, so kids feel safe doing the same

5. Don't Grade Entries (though you can evaluate them in multiple ways (do these go with 9.?)

6. Be Prompt With Replies

7. Avoid Asking Too Many Questions

8. Be Willing to Take Criticism

(9. Spend time and effort on offering feedback about the substance of the students' journals. (does this go with 5.?)

10. Offer students training in journal writing

11. Be prepared for varying interests the students may have, especially between males and females

12. If you are responding in their journals, write to them at their reading proficiency level

13. Don't forget to MODEL and SCAFFOLD students writing!)