Writing is a practice. Using journal prompts for students is a great way for students to get that practice. We can’t expect students to jump right into a 5 paragraph paper without practicing how to write. The hardest part of writing is just getting those ideas on paper. For an upper elementary students who only a few years earlier just learned to write their name and sight words, stringing together creative ideas is really hard. Heck, it’s hard for me – an adult who writes often.
Journaling is one of the easiest writing activities for kids. Doing daily or biweekly (hey I know y’all are busy every second in the classroom) journal writing prompts is a great way to get the writing juices flowing. So how do you get started?
Journal Prompts for Students:
Writing Tip 1: Pick interesting topics that would easily generate ideas.
Ideas like favorite games, why your favorite color should be used to paint the classroom, who is the best signer, etc. As you progress throughout the year incorporate some of your standards.
Writing Tip 2: Give them “outs.”
No matter what journal writing prompt given you will most likely have a kid who claims, “I don’t like any animals.” “I can’t think of anything good about winter.” Whatever the topic their will often be one who wants to fight it. So have them write why they don’t like animals. Have them create a list of adjectives about winter. Do what you can to keep them moving forward. The fight is often the fear of the blank page. Show them that just putting words on the page is courage and amazing.
Writing Tip 3: Have an audience.
I started my journaling in the classroom way before all the technology of today. And, I still prefer the written word for this journaling. I let my students know that I will be reading their work. I also respond to their journals. This dialogue is really important. Not only do I get to know more about each of my students, but I can quickly assess what they are naturally starting to add to their writing. Knowing that I will comment or question gives them a purpose when they start writing. They know they are writing to someone.
Journal Prompts for Students Tip 4: Have trust and respect.
Some mornings you will find that kids are just off. Either they woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something happened that bothered them. Teach them that writing is a way to get it out. When I was a kid I was so mad at my neighbor. I went home and wrote in my journal, “I HATE JULIE.” I didn’t really, but writing those words in my journal allowed me to get my feelings out without hurting her with them. I also realized once I wrote it that it wasn’t really that bad and after some time alone I realized that I still wanted to go outside and play.
I allow my students the opportunity to do the same. I encourage them to write about their frustrations. They have a few options. 1. They write it and leave it in their journals. 2. They write it and want to keep it, but they don’t want anyone to read it. In this case, I let them staple the page so I know that this entry is just for them. 3. They write it, get it out, and then tear the page up into tiny pieces.
Whatever avenue you chose for engaging young writers, just remember that they are just starting their journey. Most of you would freeze up if your principal asked you to write an entry for the school webpage or yearbook. You wouldn’t sit down and write it that second (well, maybe some of you could). But, for most people we need time to let the ideas grow. Journaling is the fertilizer for your students writing gardens. It is what let the words begin to grow.
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