Journals are notebooks in which students record their thoughts on various topics.  They are useful in the classroom if teachers have students write in them on a regular basis.  They are not diaries in which students record the daily events of their lives.  They are places where students can record thoughts and opinions.  Many teachers use a journal writing activity to start the class.  Others use journals to record student reflections on their own learning.  Whatever the use, journals allow students to practice "thinking with a pencil," an activity that helps them become more critical thinkers.

Websites on Journals:

Instructional Strategies Online: What is Journal Writing?

http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/strats/journal/index.html

Ideas for Journals

http://www.engl.niu.edu/wac/journals.html

Education World: Journal Writing Every Day: Teachers Say It Really Works!

http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr144.shtml

Can Teach: Journal Topics

http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/prompts.html

Instructional Strategies Online: Journal Writing Prompts

http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/strats/journal/ideas.html

Teachers.net: Journal Writing Ideas

http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/1492.html