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What Do You Write in Your Journal? . . . .
Rather Ask: what you shouldn't write about . . . . no journal entries should be inappropriate!
7th Grade Journals need to be ATLEAST 5 topics, minimum, from the assigned reading. [MORE IS BETTER]
8th Grade Journals need to include ATLEAST 6 topics, minimum, from the assigned reading. [MORE IS BETTER]
The journals show how the students are making connections and processing information. They are weighted VERY heavily because this is where progress is shown, monitored and measured.
Try Using the Types of Connections Proficient Readers Make. Proficient readers make connections with what they all ready know and what they are reading.
Text to Self - While reading, these are thoughts the reader has where the reader is reminded of a personal experience.
E.G., When it said Harper's mom made fresh bread, it reminded me of my Grandma Ruth. We would always go there and she would have a whole drawer of fresh buns. We would slather them with butter. I can smell them right now!
Text to Text - While reading, when one novel or article, etc. reminds the reader of a different novel, article, movie, etc.
E.G., The book, Holiday Concert reminded me of a book we read in class year called The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. They both were about a christmas presentation.
Text to World - While reading; when the novel, article, or document reminds the reader of something they know of, but don't necessarily have any personal experience per se.
E.G., When we read The Terrorist and Billy took the bomb from the stranger in the subway, it reminded me of the bombing it showed on the history channel where the Oklahoma Bomber blew up the building with all the little kids in it.
Try Making Comments About the Actual Book or Author.
The beginning was . . .
I liked how / I didn't like how . . . . because
I was confused when . . . . .
When it said . . . . I thought . . . , but . . . .
This author should really . . . . because . . . . .
The style of this author's writing is. . .
I like how the author uses __________ to show . . . .
Try Making Predictions Based on Events from the Book. Proficient readers think about what is going to happen, examine story develepments and make predictions based on what they know and what they are reading.
What will happen next or later AND why you think so.
How the / a character will develop or change AND why you think so.
How will the story end and your reason for believing so.
Evaluate your own predictions made, were they right / wrong.
Try Commenting on Story Elements.
flashbacks, foreshadowing, motifs, episodes, mood / tone, tension, dialogue, figurative language
EXAMPLES: How can this character . . . . I predict . . . . . . because . . . . The suspense was so strong when. . . .
The flashback at the beginning of this chapter really . . . . . . The cliffhanger at the end of Chapter 12 with Mick hanging on . . . . .
Try Asking a Question BUT follow it up with your reason, your suspicions, your idea about the question or another question about the same topic. ("I wonder" is always considered a question.) Proficient readers ask themselves questions before, during and after their reading to better understand what they read.
How come . . . . . . .? Was he / she . . . . ?
I wonder why . . . . . . Did it . . . . ?
Where did the . . . . . . ? When I read that I thought . . . . .
When did it tell us . . . . . ? I was confused because I thought . . . . . .
I would like to ask the author about . . . . . . because . . . . .
"If Nancy was sincere about joining the club, why did she ignore them at the mall? There is no way they will accept her if she won't even pay attention to them!"
OR TRY These links . . .
Writing in My Journal
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