Suggestions for middle school journaling

Question

Using as much detail as possible, how do you include journaling in your middle school language arts classroom? How do you do it? When? Why? In what format? Do you use prompts, free writing, or both? How do you evaluate journals? Tell me everything you've used and found success with in journaling, please. Thank you.

Answer 1

Current events.

Have them write about who, what, when, where, why, and their opinion.

This will get them thinking about the world - how we are all connected - and make them think about everyday life around the world.

I would also schedule in time for a few kids to share their journals out - and allow the class to discuss current events and their opinions.

Answer 2

I teach freshmen and I have my students write journals everyday.

At the beginning of the year (within the first week), I give each student a single subject notebook (which I've bought on sale either over the summer, or after the start of school the year before - this year I got them for a penny each at Wal-mart).  I then give them some time to decorate it with a personal collage on the front (which we laminate with a four inch tape).  Their first journal entry is to explain the collage on the front.

Everyday that they walk into the room they are to retreive their journal and answer the daily journal question.  There is one on the board everyday that relates in some way to what we are going to do that day. So, for example, if we are starting Romeo and Juliet I might ask "What is love?", then as we progress "Who knows more about love, teenagers or adults?"   Sometimes I will give them a quote about a theme we will be touching upon and ask what it means and do they think it is true.  I will often have them do descriptive writing when we are doing poetry and talking about things like imagery.

I give them from the time they walk in the room to four minutes after the bell rings (I set a timeer and I then use that time for attendance, to deal with absent students, etc.)  to complete each journal - this is usually enough time.  As a class we then discuss the journal with students sharing as they wish.  I have found with this part I need to keep them on topic, but get them to share.  I spend about five - ten minutes with this depending on the topic and their interst.

Honestly, I don't truely assess it.  But, I do take home about five a night and simply write comments in them.  I DO NOT grade their grammar, spelling, etc.  For me journals are a way to get them writing, AND to get their brains ready for the day's content. So, you need to decide why you are using them in order to come up with an assessment tool if one is needed.

However, I do let students know that there is a value to the writing in the comments that I write.  I often encourage them to write more.  Also, I let them know that it could be a "grade nuddger" so their 69.2 could become a 70 - but it will never hurt their grade.

Oh, I also let them know that their journals are completely confidential as sometimes I will ask personal things.  I then keep them at the end of the year.  Towards the end of their Soph. year I will send them their journal in their homeroom folders.  They LOVE to get them! Especially since in the last few days of school, when I do review, I ask them things about themselves, what did they like most about freshmen year, how did they grow/change this year, etc.  They love to reread these.

Sorry this is so long it's just that journals are a big part of my classroom.  While this is not at the middle school level I hope it gives you some ideas that you can use.  Good luck!