Why Use Reading Journals?

Personally, I am not using journaling to teach writing, but to reinforce with my kids what they learned that day. When I write notes about a sermon or workshop, it reminds me what was said. I think a journal entry does the same thing for my kids. If my child is inspired in an area, then we can take that journal entry and form it into a final product. I don’t know about the rest of you but there are plenty of things I write that are not in a final draft form. There are many purposes for writing, just like Andrew states when he introduces dress-ups. You certainly don’t write a letter to the President the same way you write a letter to your best friend at camp. I believe journal entries have a different purpose than formal writing assignments.

FWIW, I have found that my older kids (15, 17) is automatically use IEW techniques in their journal entries. They have done IEW for about 7 years and some of those techniques are just a part of them No, they don’t use a checklist when they do journal entries. Actually, they are past the checklist stage. My 12 year old will not use a checklist for his journal entry, either. He WILL use a checklist for his writing assignments that need a finished product.

Thanks for encouraging me to clarify in my own mind why I have my kids keep reading journals.

Kerry

If you don't know about IEW, checklists or stylistic techniques, read my review of Teaching Writing: Structure & Style HERE.