Cayce Corley-5th Grade Math Teacher

 Journals As a Learning Tool

J-jotting down your

O-own thoughts

U-until

R-reading, writing, math and science

N-naturally make

A-any

L-learning

S-seem fun and personal.

“Isn't it mysterious to begin a new journal like this? I can run my fingers through the fresh clean pages but I cannot guess what the writing on them will be.” 
― Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy in Spite of Herself

A journal is a diary in a sense. They are something personal to individuals. With that being said, they have also become popular in schools. In 5^th grade this year, we are making the journals an important part of all of our core classes. We used the first week of school to let the kids personalize and understand the journals they were creating. 

It is important to let the students personalize their journals because they take more responsibility and ownership in something that they took the time to create. The journals are excellent because they get children to think creatively and to learn to put their thoughts and feelings down on paper. This is an important step in teaching children to express themselves and communicate effectively through the written word. 

It is a way of capturing moments of importance in class to use later in reference for assignments completed at home or at school. It is not only an informational tool, but a learning tool.

The kids had a blast putting their spin on their journals using a variety of things. Magazines, stickers, different types and colors of paper, newspapers, etc. Their creativity and ingenuity impressed all the 5^th grade teachers. 

We are off to a great start in 5^th grade, and we cannot wait for our PAW-some Cheetahs to go the extra mile and then some with all challenges and journeys thrown their way!!!

Here are some examples of the 5^th grade creations!