Northern Illinois University College of Education
A Journey of Self Discovery
Introduce class members to journaling with a colorful packet that suggests various purposes, formats, and topics for this very personal form of expression.
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Using Aphorisms to Help Dealing with People
Here's a formal plan for what many effective teachers already do: Provide a week's worth of aphorisms and have learners choose one to write about in their journals each day. They reflect on the meaning of each aphorism and project how it...
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Jazzing Up Journal Writing
Journal writing lessons can become a whole new experience when students start to learn about the variety of options available.
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Wagons West
Students assume the personality of a pioneer on a wagon train and create daily journals. In this journal writing lesson plan, students read excerpts from The Way West: Journal of a Pioneer Woman. Students use their imaginations to...
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You Are What You Read
Sixth graders select a prose, poetry, or nonfiction excerpt from a book of their choice and share it by reading aloud to their classmates, who identify the genre and respond to related questions in their journals.
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Weather Journal Log
Learners discuss the weather each day and log it on a class chart for a month.
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Life Reflections in Songwriting and Poetry
Students analyze, discuss and compare sources of inspiration, use of words and imagery, and other differences in writing styles between two featured songwriters. This is an introductory lesson to a creative project unit.
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Narrative Lesson Plan Ideas
Narrative writing lessons can inspire students to write about and share their experiences.
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Fostering Creative Writing
There are many interesting ways to help students develop their creative writing skills through writing prompts and games.
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Revision Lesson
Students, through a series of 4 lessons, explore what it means to revise their written work. They revise a bland story together and then practice revising their own papers by identifying the main action and "exploding" that moment into...