Daily Journals

The purpose of this type of journal is to encourage habitual expression of thoughts in writing, to provide for therapeutic release of feelings, and to collect individual writings over a period of time in one notebook.

A journal is a notebook or other semi-permanent container housing the writings of one student. Writing in journals over a period of time provides students with a collection of writings, and can serve as a productive emotional outlet. One compelling way to learn to write is by writing often and regularly. Requiring students to write in journals every day is a powerful technique. You can assign varied types of writing for different writing sessions:

• explanation
• description
• story
• poetry
• observation
• personal experience
• fable
• paragraph
• report
• letters

Or, you can assign specific topics revolving around personal experiences and feelings:

• My Most Embarrassing Moment
• What I'd Like to Change About School
• My Most Exciting Experience
• My Best Friend
• A Plan for an Ideal Day
• How Kids Con Parents
• My Most Upsetting Experience
• The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me
• An Honor or Award I Received
• What Makes Me Mad
• What Makes Me Nervous

Another possibility is to assign a timed writing period every day, but allow complete freedom for the student to express himself in any way and on any topic he chooses.

You may prefer to combine parts of each of these alternatives, sometimes assigning, sometimes allowing free expression. You may decide on weekly or semi-weekly journal entries, rather than daily writing.