A literature review examined the relationship between journal writing and thinking processes. Little was found in the way of actual research but much was located in the way of authoritative statements from practitioners of journal writing. The literature suggests that journal writing is beneficial in students' personal life, in the educational…

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…

Discusses the experiences of one student as she used her journal writing and the resources of a writing laboratory to adapt her expressive writing to the requirements of academic discourse. (RS)

"Courage Work," based on the writings of Parker Palmer, often involves the use of poetry as a vehicle for exploring and examining teachers' inner lives. This paper discusses how poetry was used with a group of undergraduate preservice elementary teachers in the Fall 2004 term, to explore how students responded to the poetry, particularly in light…

A model for an integrative first-year writing class, combining American native writing, field experience, and the fundamental trappings of a composition class, are examined in this paper. Students can learn to respond to environmental issues in creative ways and explore issues that they will face in their lives. In addition to a combined…

In the 1998-99 program year, 10 tutors recruited by The Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon, LVA (Literacy Volunteers of America), were encouraged to use the AIM (Assessment, Instruction, Mastery) program to plan lessons and give instruction to students at the lowest literacy level. Only two tutors completed worksheets. Interventions were…

Journal writing provides daily opportunities for students to express themselves, practice using the features of print they controlled, and extend their knowledge of print. By publishing the journals, two additional benefits are gained: the creation of more readable text for emergent readers; and the motivation to write more. "Life…

This study deals with the use of learning diaries in the intermediate course for Finnish language and culture. The article describes how the use of a diary helped both learners and teachers to increase their awareness of various issues affecting the learning of Finnish as a foreign language; e.g., learning experiences and the use of learning…

Children in the emergent writing stage write in pre-conventional or emergent forms (scribbling, drawing, non-phonetic letterings, and phonetic spelling) before they write conventionally. A special education teacher in a kindergarten inclusion setting in the Bronx, New York, noticing that her students did not particularly like to write, decided and…

This lesson introduces Family Message Journals, a tool for encouraging family involvement and supporting writing to reflect and learn. First and second graders are led into composing through demonstration, guided writing, and finally independent writing of messages that they will bring home for family to read and write a reply. During the three…

This book is based upon the author's personal journal, chronicling her triumphs and challenges during her first year as a Student Services Administrative Officer. The author speaks candidly as we follow her journey to become a successful vice president. She provides valuable leadership, management, and professional development advice and offers a…

From reading texts to annotating web pages, grade 6-8 students rely on group cooperation and individual reading and writing skills in this research project that spans six 50-minute lessons. Student objectives for this project are that they will: read, discuss, and keep a journal on a book in literature circles; understand the elements of and…

The value of children's drawing and writing in science lies in its potential to assist children in making observations, remembering events, and communicating understandings. However, a neglected aspect of children's representations is that they can serve the teacher as guide to children's understandings and as a diagnostic tool. By creating their…

The purpose of this study was to examine the quantity of words written by an intermediate elementary student when paper and pencil are used and compare it with the quantity of words written with a computer. One fifth-grade magnet homeroom consisting of 16 students was involved in this study. The participants were randomly placed into two groups.…

This book presents the uncensored diary of a young, beginning elementary school teacher. She started teaching in an inner-city, Chicago public school, where gangs attacked her class and her own students stabbed a substitute with a pencil. The most trying challenges she faced were from administrators who questioned her unconventional techniques…