To Teachers:

This writing journal is designed to encourage primary students to write EVERY DAY - or at least every school day. Only ten to fifteen minutes daily are needed. The Journal is divided into 40 five day weeks, and can thus be commenced at any time. Students should be encouraged to write something in for any days they miss through illness, long weekends or any other absence. The journal begins simply but gradually encourages more complicated vocabulary and sentence structures. A number of grammatical concepts are introduced and reinforced by use of model sentences, repetition and use. There is a focus also upon various word families and topics or themes for writing.

It is suggested that students write in pencil so that spelling errors may be noted. Children should then be expected to erase any incorrectly spelt words and substitute the correct ones. When the journal is reread, either by students to themselves or an audience, or by any other reader, incorrect spelling will not be a part of it. The Journal can also be used for ESL students if applicable.

I recommend downloading the journal and printing out as many copies as are needed. They can then be kept safe for each week's guide to be snipped off and glued into a book or onto pages in a loose leaf file for use. But of course, how you choose to apply its use is entirely up to you!

Feel free to adapt items in it if you prefer. This journal is therefore free to anyone who wishes to use it. However, if you find it useful, or even just want to talk about it, please email me. I love feedback!

 

 

To Students:

This is a Journal where you can write about all sorts of things. It is not just a diary where you write about things that have happened to you. However, other people - your teacher, friends, parents and family, may also read it. It's not a place for writing things you want to keep secret or private!

Sometimes there is a beginning for the first sentence for each day. You might find a word or a phrase that will be part of the sentence, instead. Sometimes there are words you need to use when you are writing during the week, or other ideas. This: ...... means a space for you to fill in with words.

You can write as much as you want. However it is recommended that you write for only ten to fifteen minutes, but EVERY SCHOOL DAY, so don't try to write a novel! One or two short sentences that make sense, sound good and won't need much correction are MUCH better than a page of illegible gibberish!

If your finished journal is going to look good and be interesting to read, there are things for you to remember.

 

Use pencil. (That way you can rub out any errors.)

Write in sentences.

Start with a capital letter and finish with a full stop.

Put one idea of event or piece of information in each sentence to start with. Later on you will be able to make the sentences longer and more interesting.

Ask for help if you need it for correct spelling. If your teacher indicates you have spelled a word the wrong way, find the right way, erase the error and do it again properly. This means that when you and other people read your journal it will look good and will make sense, too.

You may have room to draw a small picture at the end of each week's writing. There will not always be sentence beginnings. Sometimes there are other ideas or words to use. There may be word families or topics to write about. You can practise using your spelling words in the journal.

You need to write in this journal EVERY school day. This means if you have a day off, because it's a holiday or you are sick, or for some other reason, it is up to YOU to write something for the day you missed.

 

To Parents:

This doesn't have to be a school activity. You can use it at home, just as easily. Get an exercise book or a folder of loose leaves. I recommend downloading the journal and printing it out. Keep the printed out stuff safe and snip off each week's guide as it's needed.

Be sure to have your child(ren) write in pencil. Then go through and help them to make corrections. They should erase the errors and put the right words in. This might seem tedious, but it ensures that every time the Journal is looked at, read or shown off, the correct spelling is seen rather than mistakes. This reinforces correct spelling fairly painlessly.

It's also a good idea to allow children to illustrate their writing. The writing however is the focus, not the picture!

It is also NOT recommended that children use typewriters, word processors or computers for their writing for this journal.

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