Journaling+&+Blogging

Why Write in Journals? **__Brainstorming__** How often do you have a child who just cannot think of anything to write? This is the ideal time to make a list. Ask the children to write lists of their favorite foods, sports, qualities of a good friend...these brainstorming lists can turn into fully developed topics at a later time. Also, a list is certainly a worthwhile writing skill for students to develop! **__Builds Student Confidence__** Struggling writers absolutely must have opportunities to build their confidence in their writing skills. If they are assessed on every piece they write, they won't want to take risks. Don't we want our students to apply what we teach them? Of course, and they need practice time without recrimination. Present a mini-lesson on one specific skill before you begin your writing sessions, encourage the students to apply the skill, and then step back and allow them to try. Research shows it takes at least 28 repetitions of a concept or skill before it is actually solidified in the brain. **__Allows the Teacher to Gain Student Insight__** Teachers can learn much about their students' development as writers, the stages of spelling they are in and are able to pinpoint weaker areas students may need mini-lessons on. As well, a journal is often the only place some children will reveal their thoughts, feelings and opinions about what really matters to them. This emotional connection is not to be taken lightly or overlooked as it can be the foundational building block for meeting the needs of certain students. **__A Safe Haven for Beginning Writers__** Even non-writers can journal through drawing. Young students can illustrate their responses to prompts and try using labels to show what is happening. After drawing, a teacher can write down what the child tells him or her about the picture. Students who are just beginning to [|gain confidence in writing sentences] know a journal is a safe place to try new ideas, apply learned spelling strategies and be able to "mess up" without it counting against them. **__Indirect Growth in Grammar and Mechanics__** By going back and re-reading previous entries, students can begin to self-diagnose their writing skills. They tend to notice their own errors and begin applying new strategies and rules. The more this is done, the more of a habit it becomes. Of course, if you see a student consistently making the same error, you need to intervene and provide some quick, targeted mini-lessons. __**Helps Some Students to Deal with Issues**__ By paying attention to what is written in a journal, teachers can be more aware of what is really happening outside of school to our students. Journal writing is cathartic, and often a student will write about something he or she would never say. Getting it on paper alone is very helpful, but for some issues it may be the only warning sign we get that a student needs help. __**A Fun Way to Practice Writing to a Prompt**__ In the age of accountability, it is critical that our students be able to write to a prompt. Daily writing lessons are the best way to increase this skill, and fun prompts can make it seem like it is not work at all. Learning should be fun - it opens the brain up to receive new information and retrieve stored information.

Source: [|http://www.primary-education-oasis.com/benefits-of-journal-writing.html#.UaYImJHD85s]

"The Importance of Student Journals and How to Respond Efficiently" -[] - Edutopia Article "Journal Writing Every Day: Teachers Say It Really Works!" - [] - Education World Article
 * Resources**

Blogging with Students - [] - Livebinder with resources to help teachers get started [] - Safe and simple blogs for students [] - Penzu is a //free online// diary and personal //journal// focused on privacy.
 * Online tools for Blogging and Journals**