Using Journals in Writing Classes
Lindsay Tribe
GRADE LEVEL: | SHS 2 or 3 |
SKILLS: | Writing, listening |
TIME: | 10-20 minutes |
MATERIALS: | Journal book or writing paper (photocopy and staple papers together), journal prompts or text (5 sentences or so) passage at or slightly below Ss reading level (could use part of a graded reader or textbook material) |
OBJECTIVES:
Students should be able to write a min. of 4 sentences in their journal with minimal concern about spelling or punctuation. Focus should be on communicating ideas through writing. When using a journal for dictation practice, student focus should be on using proper punctuation and spelling.
LESSON BASED ON:
Themes from any textbook or current study topic in another class
PROCEDURE:
Dictation Practice with a Journal
Time | Teachers (JTE, ALT, Ts) | Students (Ss) | Skills |
2 min | Ts hand out the paper or journals and review the concept of taking dictation | Ss listen to Ts' explanation, Ss write the date | L |
2 min | ALT reads the entire passage through once, pausing to indicate punctuation | Ss listen carefully and do not write anything down yet | L, W |
10 min | ALT reads the passage through again slowly, making only natural pauses at punctuation. Give students time to write out difficult words and repeat the section or sentence two or more times before moving on | Ss listen carefully to the dictation and write using English ONLY | L, W |
2-5 min | ALT reads passage through again and gives Ss time to check over their writing. ALT or JTE writes the passage on the board while students correct their work. (Ss can also be called upon to write sentences on the board) | Ss correct their writing | W |
PROCEDURE:
Journal writing with a prompt
Time | Teachers (JTE, ALT, Ts) | Students (Ss) | Skills |
2 min | Ts hand out the paper or journals and review the aim of journal entries (communicating ideas clearly) | Ss listen to Ts' explanation, Ss write the date | L |
5 min | ALT or JTE writes the prompt on the board and gives / reads an example entry. Class brainstorms useful vocabulary for the topic. Ts write vocabulary on the board | Ss listen carefully and can write down vocabulary if they wish | L, W, S |
10 min | Ts walk around and help Ss while they write | Ss copy the prompt and begin to write | W |
2 min | Ts collect journals and read / respond to them | | |
WORKSHEETS and HANDOUTS:
Samples of prompts and journal pages are here
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