Describes how a weekly focused journal writing assessment (in which students note any use of language they find interesting, puzzling, amusing, or annoying as well as their response to it) enhances composition students' awareness of how language is used and where. Offers several different advantages of such journal writing. (SR)

Describes how one high school teacher used journal writing and a paper to focus students awareness on prejudice and lack of human compassion in their own school. (SR)

Describes the buddy journal (a diary that two students keep together, in which they "converse" in writing) and suggests ways to use such journals to build children's literacy. Proposes that buddy journals can highlight the reading-writing connection for children by involving purposeful, personal communication to enhance students'…

Describes a journal writing activity designed to engage students in the exchange between text and reader. Argues that informal writing in a journal is a means of letting students find out that, if they engage themselves with a text, they will find it interesting. (RS)

Journal writing can be used as a tool for the assessment of teaching while allowing students to have an active and expressive voice in their learning. Journal writing provides an excellent interactive format in which students can more freely express their understanding or lack of understanding of the subject matter. The entries also frequently…

Outlines a course which uses dominant metaphors to connect the arts (particularly art, music, and literature) and which features discussions and student response journals ("thought-logs") to tap the pattern-perceiving potential of the right brain. (MM)

Asserts that autobiographical writing empowers community college students to create public voices and meet personal and professional goals while enlightening instructors about the effectiveness of teaching methods. Discusses journal writing as self-teaching, student responses to existing autobiographical models, the influence of peer audience on…

Advocates using literature logs and literature discussion groups as an effective way to develop a community of readers. Looks at the different kinds of comments and questions that a class of fifth graders wrote in their literature logs. (SR)

Describes the crisis that young women face--a kind of suffocation--at adolescence, calling it both developmental and cultural. Argues that responsive teaching, and regular, fast, expressive writing without evaluation about whatever is in their minds will help girls define what is most important to them and examine what is going on in their lives.…

Writing activities can be used to cultivate students' enthusiasm for learning. This book shows teachers how to introduce their students to the benefits of writing in a variety of subjects including math, language arts, science, social studies, and art. Each chapter in the book includes an observation that allows readers to enter a classroom and…

Explains how and why journals were chosen as a component of literature group reading. Shares excerpts from the journals of several children. Draws conclusions about the value of journals in contrast to more conventional written assignments. (MG)

Argues that inclusion of children with disabilities into various preschool settings presents opportunities for early childhood educators to address issues of differences through the use of effective tools and teaching strategies. Suggests that a journal-type portfolio is a tool early-childhood educators can use to enhance the acceptance of…

Originally developed as part of a project for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on expressive writing is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes an overview of the project; a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a lecture giving an…