Presents an interview with Oliver Sachs. Discusses his approach to writing, including the physical pen-and-ink approach as opposed to using a word processor; his use of journals; his motivation for writing; his approach to revision; and his view of himself as a writer. (NH)

Describes a method ("buddy book journals") of encouraging independent reading among students. Outlines the activity, in which students select partners with whom they read and study a particular book. Argues that this method is an excellent means of generating thoughtful response to literature. (HB)

Describes a study done by the Middle School Math through Applications project (MMAP) on informal assessment. Discusses some valuable techniques that MMAP teachers and researchers developed for organizing informal assessment so that it produces a coherent story of student progress, helps students make more progress with greater focus, and…

A teacher explores connections between her personal history and her present classroom teaching through journal writing. She discovers how reflection helps identify her prejudices, choices, and expectations and understand her students. (SK)

Relates how, throughout the author's life from early childhood well into adulthood, literacy has been a powerful adventure helping her to survive and thrive. Notes that she teaches reading and writing to her students to share these gifts of language with them. (SR)

Discusses how to encourage creative journal keeping among campers during camping trips. Tips include keep it simple, don't present it as an assignment, the counselor should make entries, allow an open format, vary the writing time, make it a group effort, and send it home. (TD)

Discusses 10 often-asked questions regarding writing and young children, synthesizing current research on developmental writing stages, information from experienced classroom teachers, and observations from a variety of early childhood settings. (SR)

Discusses findings from an investigation into 42 prospective elementary teachers' views of mathematics teaching and learning with the focus on how the participants saw the roles of teachers, pupils, and mathematics in mathematics classes as they communicated their views in journals written during the study. Some teachers expressed a tendency to…

Considers how journal writing is used in primary grades to support the emergent literacy skills of young children. Reviews the literature on journal writing. Compares first grade teachers' instructional practices and perceived benefits or disadvantages of journal writing. Provides evidence that first grade teachers in the school district are using…

Presents an interview with author Jack Gantos, whose career spans almost 25 years. Notes how he spoke passionately about his craft and about supporting emerging writers. Discusses how avid journaling is one technique that he uses that could benefit anyone. (SG)

Introduces the Web-based, interactive group journal as a potent, highly efficient, and research-based alternative to traditional, privately-kept journals. Describes this journaling alternative in detail as it has been used in the last four semesters of an undergraduate service learning course, and presents instructor and student assessments of…

Describes a project that utilizes journal writing in the mathematics classroom. Journals are a valuable form of assessment for students and teachers and furnish concrete feedback on a student's understanding of a mathematical concept. (ASK)

An inexpensive tool for understanding the problems faced by new teachers is the teaching journal--a written reflection of their everyday classroom struggles, professional doubts, and administrative hassles. At George Mason University, all student teachers are required to keep professional journals and share them with key administrators. (MLH)

Focuses on how tutors give useful feedback on participant's dialog journals. Through analyzing journals and tutors' comments and from interviewing participants about the usefulness of the tutors' comments, it was found that participants preferred comments referring to specific points in their journals, rather than a list of general comments at the…

Presents three teachers' experience with a journal-writing workshop that was successfully implemented in a first-grade classroom, in which the children became an enthusiastic and effective community of writers. Discusses several advantages of a journal-writing workshop. (SG)