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Home : 2003 : September : 22

Journals
By Kellie

We started journaling the first day of school. You can tell them it is a place to write their ideas and feelings. When they ask for a word to be spelled, I just say to put the letters they hear and go on. That it's more
important that they know what they wrote and we can work at it later if we need to. Words they use often I add to the word wall. I used "Buddy Books" from Great Source for the first grade level which have a section for personal word lists (each page alphabetized), a section for journaling, and a skills practice section for writing mini-lessons. It starts them out with blank pages only,

a line for the date at the top, and gradually moves to less space and more lines. I gave a prompt and we discussed possible ideas to write about. Now I do both prompt and free choice. I also encourage making a blank for each word for the kids that string everything together, but after the first few weeks of school they all space their words (most of the time). It's really important to encourage invented spelling so you know what areas in which they need help. For instance, after doing several weeks of "Daily News" where the class dictates our activities for me to write, some have begun to use the -er ending in their own spelling instead of just -r. I point out spelling patterns while transcribing. I write their invented spelling with words we don't have around the room. Their journals are really great to watch for growth. A word wall is a useful tool and my kids do use it a lot. We also posted a list of ideas to write about which was a mini-lesson on the fist stage of the writing process. I used symbols next to the words and they refer to the list often. We journal first thing in the morning and it takes a lot of time for some of them. But they are so motivated. I get out the guitar and those that are done can sit with me and we sing quietly while others finish up. I also journal with them if I can and there are days when a couple of kids will also share. I read them every day.