Argues that thematic units may be the best way to avoid the lack of compelling journal writing topics. Argues that themes introduced in a journal writing assignment prior to the study of the text are good preparation for reading. Presents some examples of themes, topics, and accompanying literary works. (RS)

Examines and discusses several fifth-/sixth-grade students' written responses to literature in terms of what they reveal about the writer's knowledge and understanding of how literary texts work. Suggests that students' written responses to literature can provide invaluable pedagogical information and support to encourage children in their growth…

Describes using Monday morning journal writing activities to give the teacher an insight into what the weekend has done for students. (RS)

Notes that personal writing continues to proliferate, especially in freshman composition and basic writing courses. Argues that overemphasis on personal writing, on finding a "voice," may become exclusionary rather than liberating. Argues that it is crucial to teach students how to read, react to, and write about anything beyond the…

Presents, side by side, sections of the first author's (a psychotherapist) journal writing during and after her treatment for cancer, and the second author's (a medical doctor) "commentary" thoughts about her words and what they say about the subjective experience of life-challenging illness. Presents this as one way to humanize the encounter…

Describes a course diary that documents events in the course during the year and supplies a record of overall student performance and expectations. Explains the benefits and contents of a course diary, as well as what can be done throughout the year to make writing the course diary an easy task. (ASK)

Discusses three books that can be helpful to teachers in demonstrating the connections between thinking and writing with journals, thus offering good models for "thinking journals." Notes that these books cover a wide range: beginning journal writers, professional journal writers, and the journal writer in all people. (SR)

Relates the advantages of writing a journal to clinical students in undergraduate nursing education. Demonstrates how messages to students release emotions and feelings regarding clinical experiences and reflect themes of empathy as well as thoughts about professional nursing. Includes excerpts from the journal. (JOW)

Eleven experienced counselors with graduate degrees in school counseling participated in an in-service course concerning supervision. Through the use of journal writing exercises and analysis of taped supervisory sessions, participants developed supervisory skills. (MKA)

Ethical issues involved in using journals in education include balancing the personal and professional and assessing journal writing. Principles adult educators can apply include respect, justice, beneficence, self-awareness, and caring. (Contains 26 references.) (SK)

Introduces interactive journal writing in which group members write not only for themselves or their leaders but also to communicate with other group members. Experience with this new format suggests that this adjunctive methodology complements the live group process, enhances a greater sense of community, and accelerates group cohesion. (Contains…

Daily journal writing can help students become strong, confident writers. Students can use journals to reflect on what they are studying, brainstorm on a topic before writing an essay, track and react to current events, and explore ideas in their imaginations. Tips for journal writing include: keep it stress free, reassure students they are…

The purpose of this study is to begin to explore the use of interactive process notes in a women's counseling group. The use of interactive process notes is a new technique, which consists of weekly written input regarding group member and group counselor feedback. This preliminary study describes the use of interactive process notes results in a…

This paper describes how a few simple strategies can provide students with a variety of great writing ideas. Some of the ideas presented are: writing workshops, trading book lists, creating journals, writing poetry, and peer topic conferences.

There are days that the stress of administering a child care program outweighs the joys, unless the center director has good coping mechanisms. This article discusses how keeping a journal helps the author cope with the stress she is facing as a child care center director. The author defines a journal as a recorded account of the writer's…