Journals

Students write journals most days in class as a way to practice timed writing and various types of writing. In the beginning of the year, journals are hand written. Written journal prompts have a required length and are typically about the students, the world around them, or the sample personal narratives we are reading.

Once students all have email accounts and computer log-ins, we type our journals. Typically students will have between 20 - 30 minutes to type their journals. Each journal has a required word length and a specific page set-up to help students become more familiar with the technology. Typed journal prompts vary throughout the year. Students write reflective journals, they practice writing persuasive paragraphs without evidence, and they practice writing persuasive paragraphs with evidence from videos or from one page articles.

If students do not finish their journals in the allotted class time, students are required to finish the journal assignments for homework. All journal prompts are emailed to students either the day of class or a few days before class, so they have access to all materials they may need.

Journals are scored using the Journal Rubric. After students finish five entries, journals are collected and scored. Students self select their best journal entry, which is then graded out of 50 points using the rubric. Students then receive the other 50 points for completing all five entries.