Expository Journal Writing with Students Tonja L. Root, Ed.D. Early Childhood & Reading Education Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA

Root, VSU2 Purposes for Journal Writing 4 Record experiences 4 Stimulate interest in a topic 4 Explore thinking 4 Personalize learning 4 Develop interpretations 4 Hypothesize & predict

Root, VSU3 Purposes for Journal Writing 4 Develop independent thinkers 4 Develop creative thinkers 4 Process for discovery & clarification of learning 4 Build trust, acceptance, appreciation of different observations 4 Learn that writing is thinking 4 Expose them to others' thinking

Root, VSU4 Types of Expository Journals & Trade Books

Root, VSU5 Travel Journals 4 Students take turns taking home a bag that contains a stuffed animal, journal, travel brochures, crayons, markers, colored pencils, scissors, colored paper, glue, & other art supplies.

Root, VSU6 Travel Journals (cont.) 4 At home the child decides where the stuffed animal visits, writes a story about the visit, & illustrates the story using the art materials. 4 Student returns the journal to school the next day for another student to take home.

Root, VSU7 Travel Journals (cont.) 4 Entries may be shared with the entire class. 4 This would be an ideal way to inform family members of places nearby that could be visited on weekends.

Root, VSU8 Trade Books: Travel Journals 4 Krull, K. (1997). Wish you were here: Emily’s guide to the 50 states. New York: Doubleday. 4 Moss, M. (1997). Amelia hits the road. Berkeley: Tricycle. 4 Parker, T.T. (2005). Sienna’s scrapbook: Our African American heritage trip. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Root, VSU9 Your Turn 4 As an example of a travel journal entry, write a few sentences that you could share with students.

Root, VSU10 Simulated Journals 4 Students assume role of a historical personality or book character, & write entries from that person's viewpoint. 4 Entries are shared with classmates.

Root, VSU11 Trade Books: Simulated Journals 4 Conrad, P. (1991). Pedro’s journal: A voyage with Christopher Columbus, August 3, February 14, New York: Scholastic. 4 Dyson, J. (1991). Westward with Columbus. New York: Scholastic. 4 Roop, P., & Roop, C. (1990). I, Columbus: My journal, New York: Walker.

Root, VSU12 Trade Books: Simulated Journals 4 Waters, K. (1996). On the Mayflower: Voyage of the ship’s apprentice & a passenger girl. New York: Scholastic. 4 Blos, J. (1979). A gathering of days: A New England girl’s journal. New York: Scribner’s. 4 Moss, M. (1998). Rachel’s Journal: The story of a pioneer girl. New York: Scholastic.

Root, VSU13 Trade Books: Simulated Journals 4 Hopkinson, D. (1997). Birdie’s lighthouse. New York: Atheneum. 4 Bierman, C. (1998). Journey to Ellis Island. Toronto: Madison Press. 4 Moss, M. (2001). Rose’s Journal: The story of a girl in the Great Depression. New York: Scholastic.

Root, VSU14 Trade Books: Content of Simulated Journals 4 Waters, K. (1993). Samuel Eaton’s day: A day in the life of a Pilgrim boy. New York: Scholastic. 4 Waters, K. (1989). Sarah Morton’s day: A day in the life of a Pilgrim girl. New York: Scholastic. 4 Waters, K. (1996). Tapenum’s day: A Wampanoag Indian boy in pilgrim times. New York: Scholastic.

Root, VSU15 Learning Journals 4 Students write about content of subjects learned. 4 Young children may use both developmental spelling & words/sentences.

Root, VSU16 Professional Resource: Learning Journals 4 Popp, M.S. (1997). Learning journals in the k-8 classroom: Exploring ideas and information in the content areas. Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Root, VSU17 Your Turn 4 As an example of a learning journal entry, write a few sentences that you could share with students.

Root, VSU18 Writing Notebooks 4 Students make notes & write lists of useful information about writing & other language arts in writing notebooks. 4 Students refer to information as needed.

Root, VSU19 Project Journals 4 Students record ongoing work on projects: planning, organizing, & accomplishments. 4 Teacher checks journals to determine progress.

Root, VSU20 Class Logs 4 Students take turns recording assignments, class notes, & other information from each class to file in a notebook. 4 Serves as a record of actual lessons.

Root, VSU21 Professional Resource: Journaling  Bromley, K. (1993). Journaling: Engagements in reading, writing, and thinking. New York: Scholastic.

Root, VSU22 Journal Writing: Summary 4 There are many types of journals. 4 Purpose & variety are the key to a balanced writing program involving journal writing.

Root, VSU23