Journaling: let’s write about it!
The teacher may want to encourage the students to journal their reflections. Students are free to use a poetic or prosaic form. To facilitate this journaling process, the teacher may want to provide each student with a small journal.
The journaling can be done after each lesson or during a silent reading period in class. The teacher may wish to provide the students with a specific question, quotation, or statement to stimulate their reflection. Sample journal questions for the lessons in each of the four curriculum sections are provided in the Appendices section.
This journal activity provides expression for those students who may be reluctant to contribute to the class discussions. It is important that the teacher read, review, and comment on the students’ journal reflections on a daily basis. It has been my experience that students do more journaling if the teacher comments on their writing.
The teacher may ask some students to read their journal to the class. It is important that this be an optional exercise for the student. Some students are more comfortable contributing something orally if they can read it, particularly if the instructor has suggested that the reflection is well-written. Some students prefer to have their journal read aloud by the teacher or a fellow student. The oral presentations may also serve to stimulate further discussion.