Jazzing Up Journal Writing

Journaling is a part of the daily lesson plan in many classrooms. Students come into class, and are expected to sit down and write about a certain topic. As many adults know, writing on demand is a difficult proposition. You may need to get into the mood, and you definitely need to have something to write about.

While journals may be seen as a simple way to get students writing on a daily basis, they can be an interesting and educational experience as well. If students put effort into their journal writing, they can provide important insights into their daily lives. The “Diary of Anne Frank” is just such an example. While Anne Frank didn’t realize that millions of people would be reading her journal in the future, it provided a unique insight into what was happening to the Jews during World War II.

In other cases the authors may realize that their journals will be read, and therefore they try to provide unique insights. If you’re looking for an interesting historical journal, you might try one written by John Adams. If you’re interested in thoughts on the writing process, you might try Louisa May Alcott.

While you want students to write about what they care about, you don’t want to have long journal entries about their dog (although it could be interesting), or why they hope their best friend will sit with them at lunch. By reading some journals that are interesting to everyone, not just to the people who wrote them, you can get students thinking about the universality of the art.

Elementary:
Follow the Leaders: This lesson has students engage in journal writing activities related to the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Students pick teams, and chronicle their progress. It is an interesting way for students to learn about dog sleds, the Iditarod race, and the terrain the teams have to cover. It’s an original way to look at journal writing. 
Exploring the Galapagos: This lesson has students write journals as though they are visiting the Galapagos Islands. It provides links to everything you need to know about the Galapagos Islands to complete the lesson, and provides examples of online journals.

Elementary/Secondary:
Lyme Art Colony: The lesson has students learn about the Lyme Art Colony that developed in Connecticut in the early 1900’s. They take on the persona of a travel writer who visits the town and writes about the unusual boarding house and its artistic inhabitant.

Secondary:
New Frontiers:  This lesson asks students to compare the travel journals of Lewis and Clark, and Dr. Horatio Jackson. They learn about Lewis and Clark’s trip, and Jackson’s 100 years later. I thought this lesson provided a great way to compare the way traveling conditions had changed in 100 years.
Unforgettable: This lesson has students read an account of a writer’s skydiving experience, and then think of their own memorable experiences. I liked this lesson because it gave students a real life account to emulate. I also thought students would get a kick out of learning about sky diving.