Journal Entries

2014-2015

3 Section Spiral Notebook

• Section #1 = Notes• Section #2 = Writing• Section #3 = Journal

3-subject spiral notebook: JOURNAL

• Today you will write a letter to yourself. This letter will be the FIRST entry in your journals (the 3rd section of your 3-section notebook).

Journal #1-1: Letter to Self• Your letter must follow the following format:

– Write today’s date at the top.– Begin with “Dear __________,” (your name)– 1st paragraph: About you!

• Describe yourself – age, school, height, etc. Discuss your likes and dislikes (i.e., food, colors, sports, hobbies, etc.).

– 2nd paragraph: Family and Friends• Talk about your family (parents, siblings, etc. – what are their names/how old are they/what are

they like).• Talk about your friends (either in general or about specific friends – names/ages/what they are

like).– 3rd paragraph: Excited about/Worried about

• Discuss what you are most looking forward to about this school year.• Discuss any concerns or worries you had/have about middle school or this school year in

general and explain each. If you don’t have any, explain why.– 4th paragraph: Goals

• Talk about your goals for this year. You must have at least two goals – one school-related goal + one personal goal.

– 5th paragraph: Predictions• Make at least one prediction for this school year. What do you think will happen? Why? Which

class do you think you will like the best? Why?– End with “Sincerely, ______________” (your name)

• Remember: A paragraph should not have fewer than five (5) complete sentences!

The 2 Yous

• Yesterday everything was great, and you were in a fabulous mood. Those around you responded to your good spirits. Your mom gave you a hug for no particular reason. Your dad slapped you on the back with approval, and Uncle Fred called you “a credit to the family.”

Journal #1-2: The 2 Yous

• That was yesterday, your Dr. Jekyll day. Today, you are definitely Mr. Hyde. So far, nothing has gone right. You’re in a rotten mood, and you haven’t been trying to hide it.

• Your sister calls you “a real pain.” Your brother tops that with “immature brat.” And you have a stupid argument with your best friend. By the end of the day you’re sulking in your room. Sound familiar?

Journal #1-2: The 2 Yous

• Even if you’re one of the most popular kids in the school, chances are you’re not always the person you’d like to be. How would you describe the two sides of your personality? “Good” and “not so good”? “In control” and “out of control”? “Reasonable” and unreasonable”? “Beauty” and “the Beast”?

Journal #1-2: The 2 Yous

• You are going to be writing poems about the two yous. For the first poem, you will be using a template and filling in the blanks with information describing you – and your two sides. Simply copy the template onto your own notebook paper, filling in the blanks as you go along.

Journal #1-2: The 2 Yous

Hi! My name is _______________________,But I wish my parents had named me _______________.I like that name because ___________________________.At least they didn’t name me _____________________.I hate that name because ________________________.When I’m at my best, I sometimes ___________________,And people call me ____________, ______________, or even _________________.When I’m at my worst, I sometimes __________________,And people call me ____________, _______________, or even _________________.My real name is _____________________________,But I’ve been called lots of other names, too.

The 2 Yous -- Example

Hi! My name is Bob Smith ,But I wish my parents had named me Banks .I like that name because I’m a basketball phenom.At least they didn’t name me Garfield .I hate that name because I’m not a cat .When I’m at my best, I sometimes make every shot,And people call me The Bankster , Mr. B , or even Bud .When I’m at my worst, I sometimes complain, foul, and pout,And people call me Sir Airball , Gilbert , or even King Doof.My real name is Robert Allen Smith III ,But I’ve been called lots of other names, too.

Journal #1-3: “What’s on your mind?”

• Today’s prompt’s topic is a free-write – of sorts. For the next five minutes, please write about whatever is on your mind. What are you thinking about? How are you feeling? What did you do this weekend? What do you like/ dislike? The possibilities are endless! However, you are required to write for the entire time. So, open up! Write!

• Minimum = 5 minutes of writing

Journal #1-4:Objective Tracker Self-Assessment

• Read each of the 15 ELA standards from your objective tracker. Choose at least two (2) standards for each of the columns below. You will need an explanation (Why?) for each standard.

• Follow this procedure:– Write the standard word for word. (Yep – the

whole thing )– Provide a WHY? for each standard – This is your

explanation. Be as specific as possible. • An example of how to set up your chart is

provided on the next slide.

I’ve done this before, and I think I’m quite good at it!

I’m pretty sure I know how to do this, but I’ll need some guidance.

I really don’t know what this means!

Standard Standard Standard

Explanation Explanation Explanation

Standard Standard Standard

Explanation Explanation Explanation

Journal #1-5: QuickWrite

• Imagine you are going to a party. When you arrive at the party, you are given a hearty welcome.– What would a hearty welcome look like? Sound

like? Feel like? Be specific!• Now, imagine you are going to another party.

When you arrive at this party, you are given a cordial reception.– What would a cordial reception look like? Sound

like? Feel like? Be specific!

Journal #1-6 – Reading: the class, the process, the activity, etc.

• For many years, every student in this school district had a reading class. It wasn’t a class that you were placed in because of your SRI score or for any other reason. This class was taught along with English (Language Arts) and was a separate class period. It did not replace an elective.

• In the Reading class, we read – a lot! We read many types of things – novels, poems, plays, non-fiction, etc.

• What are your feelings about this? About the class? About the SRI? About having time to just read? How do you feel about reading in general? Explain.

Journal #1-7: September 11th

• Today marks the 13th anniversary of one of the worst tragedies in American history. Thirteen years ago, terrorists hijacked four planes. Their intention was to kill as many people as possible and to cripple the United States’s economy. Two of the planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, resulting in a huge loss of life and the collapse of the towers themselves. One plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., again causing a loss of life and tremendous damage. The fourth plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The passengers on this flight, Flight 93, refused to allow the terrorists to reach their ultimate goal – the capital building in Washington, D.C.

• What’s on your mind? Talk about September 11th. While you were either too young to remember it or may not have been born at that time, you have probably heard about it. You may also have seen images/videos of that day. Explain your thoughts.

Journal #1-8: The Perfect Vacation

• Describe the perfect vacation. Where would you go? What would you do? How long would it last? Who would go with you?

• Minimum of 5 continuous minutes of writing!

Journal #1-9• If you were a character in a story, what traits would

be used to describe you?• Make a chart on your paper. Provide at least 2 traits

for each column. (Honors = 3 minimum)

• Why did you choose the first internal trait to describe yourself? Why did you choose the second internal trait to describe yourself? Explain both in detail. (Honors add: Why did you choose the third internal trait to describe yourself? Explain.)

External Traits (Appearance) Internal Traits (Personality)

Journal #1-10• In #1-9, you identified at least 2 external

(appearance) and 2 internal character traits (personality) that described you.

• Next, you explained why you chose each of the internal traits.

• Today, you are going to take these same traits and show, using STEAL, how they would describe yourself as a 10-year-old.

• You should have 1-2 paragraphs (4-5 sentence minimum).

Journal #1-10 (continued)• Example – Let’s say that you chose cheerful and determined as

your two internal traits. Here’s an example of how you could describe yourself as a 10-year-old:– Sometimes, I wish I could be 10 again! I loved wearing my brown hair

in ponytails or braids and sneaking into my older sister’s make-up. I spent hours listening to my favorite songs on my iPod and choreographing dance moves to them all. Much to my family’s dismay, I had a tendency to sing instead of talk. More than anything, I loved soccer!

– Every morning, I would smile at myself in the mirror and sing, “It’s going to be a good day! I can do anything, if I try hard enough!” This was especially true when it came to soccer practice. Most people didn’t think practice was fun, but not me! I loved laughing with my friends as we chased the ball all over the field. For whatever reason, I could not dribble the ball without tripping myself (or someone else). However, that didn’t stop me from trying to figure it out over and over again. I knew if I could figure out how to dribble the soccer ball, I could do anything I wanted to do!

Journal #1-10: You as a younger character

• Writing task: Think back to when you were ______ years-old. In at least two paragraphs and using both direct and indirect characterization, describe your external and internal traits.

• This is a DESCRIPTION, not a story! DO NOT WRITE A STORY!

• You can refer to your chart from yesterday. Some of those internal and external traits may still apply!

Example #1:

• When I was six-years-old, I was an energetic, spunky kindergartner. With my long, blonde hair waving behind me, I would walk to school three blocks with my older brother and get there just in time for the morning bell. Breathless and excited, I would hang my coat in my cubby and join my friends on for circle time. Our teacher would talk about letters and numbers and we would listen intently. It seemed like the whole world was full of fascinating things to learn! After circle time, we could choose a center to explore. I would always go to the art corner and use colorful paints, vibrant markers, and a variety of mismatched scraps to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece to hang on the fridge at home. It was always disappointing when all the spots for this center were taken and I had to go to a different part of the room. Center time always went by fast, as did lunch and recess. Too soon it was time to stick my arms back into the sleeves of my fringed jean jacket and trek the three blocks back home.

Example #2:• “Hurry up or we’ll be late!” I shouted to my older brother, Jed. He grinned

and we began to walk faster, our sneakered feet slapping the pavement. Soon we reached Miller Elementary School and, after waving good-bye, I headed to Mrs. Thompson’s kindergarten class. As I opened the door to the classroom, my ears were flooded with the sounds of excited students ready for the day. I hung up my pink backpack in my cubby, smoothed my long blonde hair, and hurried to get my favorite carpet square in the circle. Mrs. Thompson was already sitting in the wooden rocking chair, shushing students like an old mother hen. We sat and listened to Mrs. Thompson rearrange items on our classroom calendar. I bounced up and down in my seat, thinking of picture I wanted to paint later today. When Mrs. Thompson dismissed us, I sped over to the art corner, taking my place behind the blue easel. The paints were all there, ready to go: yellow, green, and red. I squished my brush into the jar and then meticulously spread the oozing paint onto the paper. It only took a few strokes with each color to outline the yellow house, flowered yard, and little car that I had pictured in my mind. When I was finished, I carefully unhooked the paper from the easel and brought it over to the drying rack. Perfect, I thought. This will look magnificent on the fridge at home!

Example #3:

• When I was 10 years old I was an awkward child, to say the least. I was nearly 5’6’’—as tall as my mom—and not quite 100 pounds. Needless to say, my joints stuck out at awkward angles and everybody was always encouraging me to eat more. My frizzy, brown hair would now be considered “Hermione-ish” now, and was constantly hard to brush. (etc.)

Example #4:

“Whitney, hurry up! We’re all getting in the car! Why is it taking so long to find your shoes?” my mother hollered. Of course, I thought, I was looking for my shoes! This happened all the time, me forgetting why I had gone upstairs or into my room. My family seemed used to it, but bugged, like usual. Grabbing my favorite pink jellies from the closet, I dashed downstairs, nearly tripping over my gangly limbs. When would I ever grow into my too-skinny, too-tall 10 year-old body? (etc.)

Example #5

• When I was 10 years old I was more than a little self-conscious. I was 5’4” – taller than every boy my age and all but two girls. Kids-size clothing didn’t fit me. My mouse-brown hair was cut almost boy-short, which only made my ears stick out even more. I was more than a little clumsy, as evidenced by a broken thumb and a broken ankle just two months apart.(etc.)

• “Daddy long-legs, Daddy long-legs! How’s the weather up there?” shouted the smallest boy in my class. Really, I thought, can’t you come up with something more original, Mr. Short and Scrawny? I would laugh along with everyone else, but inside I was crying – but only on the inside. The last thing I needed was to be called a cry-baby and teased about yet something else. Why can’t I be like everyone else, I thought. Being 5’4” at age 10 was not as glamorous as it would seem. None of the boys were anywhere near my height, which made the required dance-festival partnering more than a little awkward. I certainly wasn’t on my way to being a supermodel. Supermodels were beautiful and graceful. They didn’t wear huge metal braces with a hideous headgear. How many times had I ended up in a splint or a cast because I tripped over my own feet? Supermodels wore fabulous, stylish clothing. While other girls my age could wear cute clothes, I was stuck wearing clothing from the women’s department. They didn’t make the cute clothes in my size. And, let’s not even talk about my hair! If having mouse-brown hair wasn’t plain enough, my mom insisted on having it cut almost boy short. “You’re tall! You can pull it off! You look stylish.” I don’t think so, Mom. Matters were only made worse when people compared me to my one-year-younger sister who was a foot shorter than me and had long hair. (etc.)