Explores a group of strategies that use dialectical journals in a sequential instructional plan which guides students through a progression of skills to improve their thinking skills. Provides examples illustrating how these strategies can be used with any textual or orally presented material in all content areas, not just with literature. (SR)

Criticizes teaching formal, impersonal writing and argues for teaching that encourages students to write about what they know and love as they discover who they are and why words matter. (PRA)

Notebooks and journals can help interest students in writing. A sample activity suggests that teachers begin the year by reading a poem about notebooks then discussing school supplies and writing. Discussions can examine creative things to write on, creative word choice, creative use of notebooks, and turning favorite words into art. (SM)

Two methods for training health professionals to work on interdisciplinary gerontology teams are structured journals in which students record observational, theoretical, and methodological notes during experiential learning and team development inventory, which uses a semantic differential format to measure reactions and attitudes to working as a…

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…