Getting Started

" In the end, educators best serve students by helping them be more self-reflective. "

Randy Pausch

It's important to consider what your objective is when implementing writing journals in your classroom. For me, the learning goal is to guide students in the act of self-reflection. With this in mind, the choices that I make always hinge on this objective. In my classroom this means having a consistent time each week where we practice this skill and offering students collaborative think-time before they start writing.

Here are more great tips from other educators.

Journal Writing from Reading Rockets

Journaling from Teacher Vision

The Benefits of Journaling in the Classroom from Universal Publishing

Journal Writing from Education World

A quick google search for writing prompts will yeid an abundance of texts to choose from. You can also find some links below to find more prompts for thinking about identity, challenges, and creativiy.

There are many alternatives to writing that can still support self-reflection. These alternatives can encourage collaboration and are hlpful ways to differentiated this task for your students. Using accessible technology like speech-to-text apps or video recording platforms like Flipgrid, are simple alternatives to writing, which still allow you to access your students' reflective thinking.