Mr. Walker, I took a journaling class as an off-shoot of the Iowa Writing Project - and have since used the technique in 4th,5th,6th,7th, and 8th... for Lang. Arts and Soc.St mostly, but they can be applied to any content areas. Journaling gives the think time we all need to form thoughts and ideas before sharing. If introducing a new topic, give the students 2 min (or whatever) to think, then 2 min. to write, then 2 min to turn to their neighbor and each share what was written.. If picking back up from yesterday, can do the same routine with what you have learned - and/or - what do you need to learn next? Did you do some further thinking overnight? If it is math, journal about a time when knowing about % will be helpful... then share a real life experience. In SS you might want to predict why a city grew up in a given area - then justify that in your journal (before and after sharing). etc. I made sure to be walking the room with a timer, making sure that everyone was writing something or staying on topic during the sharing time. It is a great way to get 100% demonstration of active learning. I did not grade this journal so they did not have to worry about spelling, punctuation., or form when letting the ideas flow. I did reward with stamps or stickers at random times. I also allowed them time to star brilliant thoughts (those might be the ones that they share with the class as a whole) - or I might star something that I want them to be sure to share. They can also use their journals if they need some ideas for writing... Journaling fits right into all the meta cognitive thinking talk! Beth
> > ------------------------------ > > > > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
