Question
How do you use journaling if you have a large group?
Salvation Army/EHS, Omaha, NE
Answer
from HUR Staff
A notebook or stapled sheets of paper make great journals
that children can use to record life events and stories
of their choosing. Journal writing is best done in small
groups or as a one-on-one activity with the teacher during
free play or choice time. Children will respond differently
to the opportunity to keep a journal. Some may wish to
record something in their journal every day, others will
use their journal infrequently. Young children may scribble
or just draw in their journals. Older children may write "words" using
invented spelling (made-up, not conventional spelling).
Some children may want the teacher to write down their
personal dictations.
Having
their own journals helps motivate children to use paper
and writing utensils and teaches them that print is important.
In addition to providing materials, teachers need to
be intentional about incorporating journaling into the
curriculum. For example, in Moises Roman's classroom
the children keep science journals and are encouraged
to record their findings when they participate in a science
activity. The teacher (Moises) provides the initial encouragement,
the purpose for the journals and on-going support. You
will get even more ideas in Show #13 on how to use journal
writing with large groups
To share your ideas on this topic: click
here to go to our discussion board!
Posted
on the Discussion Board from previous classes:
Topic
Share a good idea about adding materials to your environment
to support early literacy. What did you add and how did
children respond?
