Can you find the abandoned journal?

Elementary and middles school classrooms is where this habit begins, and with each new year, with each new journal, a commitment is made that this time will be different.

“Okay kids, the word journal comes from the word journey. We are going to take a journey into the world of writing and discovery. This new journal is where you will explore and discover the vast depths of knowledge found within the universe and within your mind… in fact, within the universe within your mind.

This journal will be a safe place where you will feel free to explore your thoughts and insights, as well as develop new thoughts, new ways of thinking, and new insights into your new thoughts.”

Two weeks later… tick-tock, tick-tock tick-tock. “Excuse me, teacher… I thought we were going to write in our journal.” “Billy, not now. We simply must… we have too much to do… we will get to that… someday…”

The lingering journal, abandoned, but not forgotten, a sad reminder to all that the teacher… may not know what they are doing.

Discovering the True Power of Journals

Worse yet, the teacher who has recently attended an in-service on writing instruction has come to see that journals are the solution to all the ills of her classroom.

• Students don’t like to write = Journals inspire children. They love to write in journals.
• Students need to reflect on their learning = Journals are a safe place to explore their understanding.
• Students are not engaged in their learning = Journals connect students to their own learning and learning style.
• Students are noisy and distracted = Get them writing in a journal. They like to do this. They will focus and engage in exploring their thoughts in writing.
• Students are troubled = Get them to connect with their thoughts and feelings in a journal.
• The reading writing connection = Read and then write in a journal. Sounds simple.
• ESL learners = Are you having luck with any other type of writing? Use a journal.
• Creative writing = Journals are made for inspired creative writing. They are a gateways and a safe haven for student creativity.
• Students need lots of daily opportunities to write = Have students write in lots of journals, daily.

Extreme Abandonment

The most extreme case of journal abandonment I have personally witnessed is four abandoned journals in a single desk.

“Oh, that’s not a journal. That’s a reading log. We reflect on our innermost thoughts about how we connect with our reading. Reading is so true to life, and we connect the written word with what we experience in the world and in life.”

Oh, I see. Hmm… well, it seems this “reading log” has been abandoned. Am I correct in saying that? “Oh yes, we wrote in it once… the first day… and then again two months later. A couple weeks later Billy asked the teacher if we were ever going to use it again and he ended up on the bench. No one has mentioned it since.”

Do you have any more of these “reading log” types of journals? “Oh yes. We have the Science Exploration Experiment, we have the Deep Thoughts journal, and we have the Deep Connections Connector journal.” “Have all of these been as successful as the “reading log?” “Some have been as successful, some less successful.”

Are all of them abandoned? “No. No. We’re going to get to them. They are going to take us on a journey… at least that’s what our teacher says…”

Abandoned journals in students’ desks are a sad reminder of something started and not finished. This sad reminder is something students interact with daily as they sort through their desks looking for that very important misplaced worksheet. “If only I didn’t have this collection of abandoned journals in my desk, I would have been able to keep track of that important worksheet!”

The Journal, Quick Writes, and Note Taking Connection

Tune in to the next few posts where we explore how to give students MASSIVE opportunities to write using journals, quick writes, and note taking.

I’ve found connecting and combining all three strategies into one journal:

1. Solves a lot of problems.
2. Greatly reduces the likelihood of abandonment. 
3. Improving usability and effectiveness.

Stay tuned in order to learn how! Also, be sure to check out the “Pattern Based Writing: Quick and Easy Essay” writing program on the homepage!

P.S. Kids, okay, it’s summer vacation. I want you to take this collection of abandoned journals and continue the journey without me. We began it… but I’m afraid I can’t continue it with you. I’m too… old and too tired to go on. Please, go on your journey… and remember me from time to time. Write a little passage remembering your former teacher… and traveler. Promise me… promise me you will continue the journey… all summer long.

“We promise! We promise!”

This is how these journals begin round two in the life of the abandoned journal. “The Abandoned Journal Part 2 – The Abandonment Continues: Abandoned in the Heat of the Summer, on a Hot, Hot Day for a Cool, Cool Popsicle and a Pool.”

The sequel to the sequel (Part 3,) to be continued… next year.

As discussed previously, there seems to be a link between organizational skills and student success. Improving student organizational skills is one of the surest ways of having a lasting effect on a student’s life. This is especially true with students who are struggling.

Here is a system that has impressed administrators and helped change the lives of students.

The Student Notebook System:

Supplies Needed:

• 1 Three-ring notebook
• 6 Pee-chee style folders (The kind that has a “pocket” on each side.)
• 1 pencil bag that can fit on the rings of the notebook (Some notebooks have them built-in and that works also)
• Pencil sharpener (Covered and that won’t leak. Place it in a plastic baggie if needed.)
• 3 Pencils (Minimum)
• 1 Erasure (Minimum)

How to Label and Organize the Folders

Use white labels as opposed to writing on the folders. This creates consistency and will make it easier to read. For an entire class you can create and print these labels off your computer. (It’s a little work figuring out exactly how to print labels on your computer, but well worth it if you plan on using the system for at least a few years.)

The labels below are grouped into PAIRS because each folder has two pockets. Include the NUMBERS on the label as well. Do not include the notes I put in parentheses.

These days many folders have the holes already punched in them. If not, the holes need to be punched. Once the folders are labeled and you have holes, place them on the rings along with the pencil bag.

Label Them:

1. Writing paper (This is their paper supply. Either I keep it filled or they do. Solves many problems such as having to pass out paper during class time, as well as dealing with messy edges from paper ripped out of notebooks.)

2. Homework, Returned Slips, Notes Home (All those important papers? You know exactly where they are!)

3. Reading Program

4. Reading Program

5. Writer’s Workshop (including Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay!)

6. Writer’s Workshop (including Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay!)

7. Math

8. Math

9. Science

10. Social Studies

11. Other (Includes all subjects and papers which don’t fit in the other folders.)

12. It’s Mine (Corrected papers, completed work, and stuff that is “theirs.” At home students remove all these papers daily or weekly. When I tell students “it’s yours” they put a little “X” up in the corner of the paper.)

Note: You will likely want to name your folders a little different in order to meet your own needs. Teachers, if you like the system, you may want to stock up on the folders when they have them on sale for $.10. (It will be handy to have some in the class for replacements etc.)

Struggling Students and Success Using This Organizational System

You will impress administrators with this system, and that’s nice! But much more important is that for many students learning how to get organized is a lifeline that can bring about lasting success in school. This system can play a part!

A Student Success Story

I had one student who was so far behind that retention was the best solution. After conferencing with the student and the family, it was decided.

Two years later I was talking with the student’s current teacher and asked how my former student was managing. The teacher said, “You would not believe it. She showed up on the first day with a notebook that had folders completely labeled for each subject!”  The teacher then went on to tell me that this student was getting an achievement award!

Now that is a turnaround! It seemed that the student had grabbed onto “organization” as a lifeline for having success in school. Based on the entire conversation with the teacher, school was still a bit of a struggle for this student, but they were making it!

This is a great organizational system that both teachers and parents can implement!

The New York Times published an article by Alan Finder in January 2008 entitled, “Giving Disorganized Boys the Tools for Success.”

The article addressed the educational achievement gap that is growing between boys and girls. These days it is girls who are having more success in school. The major premise of the article is that the lack of organizational skills may be holding boys back.

The article quotes Judith Kleinfeld, a psychology professor at the University of Alaska as saying, “The guys just don’t seem to develop the skills that involve organization as early.” 

The article then goes on to explain how certain $100 per hour tutors where getting these boys organized.

The Organization of Information: What Can Teachers Do?

Much of what we teach (and what we learn) deals with the organization of information. We organize information so we can use that information to bring control and order into the world we live in. (The more we know, the more we have the ability to control. However, unorganized information is not easy to use or access.)

In part 3 of this series I am going to outline a system I have used to get students organized. I had one student who was so far behind that retention was the best solution. Two years later they were still using this organizational system as they received an end of year award for achievement. (Now, that is a turnaround!)

Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay

“Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay” is a writing program, and as such it teaches students how to write well organized essays and reports quickly and easily. However, it is MUCH MORE than a writing program. It teaches students how to organize information using many breakthrough methods.

The teacher who teaches writing using “Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay” will likely use a variety of the organizational techniques across the entire curriculum. There is very little backsliding in student writing as the methods used in this program bring about TRUE MASTERY in the art of organizing information and ideas.

The Problem is Not Always with How We Teach Writing; It is That We Don’t Teach Organization

Are Patterns What You Think They Are?

It’s likely that you know a lot more AND a lot less about patterns than you think you do!

I was always a bit of a “math geek,” but what I have learned about patterns has opened my eyes to whole new dimensions of the world we live in.

In the movie “A Beautiful Mind” there is a scene where Russell Crowe’s character looks up at the night sky and illustrates all the beautiful patterns he can see. How great it would be to see the world that way! What a gift!

Anyone that has seen this movie remembers that scene. It seems to demonstrate our love, and our REAL connection with pattern. The truth is we all have a beautiful mind!

This is essentially author Malcolm Gladwell’s premise in his bestselling book “Blink- The Power of Thinking without Thinking.” Gladwell brought to light exactly how our first impressions and our intuitions are actually our amazing and natural gift of being able to instantly decode and process patterns.

Patterns in Children’s Learning and Education

Have you ever watched a child who is new to a situation stand on the sidelines observing before making his or her foray into the group? Consciously or unconsciously they are likely trying to figure out what is going on. What are the rules and the hierarchy that this group is abiding by? If they see a certain interaction once, it may be random, but see it a few times and it forms a pattern for which the child is able to determine what the “social norms” are.

I said “children” but come to think of it, that’s what adults do, too.   

Patterns in Student Test Taking

One long-held test taking strategy that teachers have taught students for generations confirms the theories that Malcolm Gladwell explores in his book. “Don’t change your original answer unless you are positive that it is wrong.” Basically, you saw a pattern that your brain was drawn to, so trust it unless you are absolutely sure otherwise.

When most people think of pattern, they either think of math or art. The truth is that these two subject areas are just the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to the fascinating world of pattern. Exploring pattern across the curriculum can truly breathe new life into old curriculum!