LA 9.04Journal Writing
The child keeps a personal journal and writes a drawing and one or more sentences on a topic of their choice.
Age 5–6Work 4 of 4 in Handwriting and Composition
Presentation
- 1
Show the child their journal with their name on the cover.
- 2
Show how to open to the next blank page and write or stamp the date.
- 3
Ask, "What would you like to write about today?"
- 4
The child draws a picture about their topic.
- 5
The child writes one or more sentences about the picture.
- 6
Invite the child to read the entry aloud to you.
- 7
Show where the journal is kept on the shelf.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Writing three or more sentences per entry
- Writing an entry with a beginning, middle, and end
- Sharing a journal entry with the group
- Rereading earlier entries and noticing changes in writing
Control of error
The child rereads their own entry; the adult reads and responds to the content, not the spelling.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Chooses a topic and writes without prompting
- Writes two or more connected sentences
- Rereads entries aloud
Guide note
Younger children can keep a journal earlier by drawing and dictating a sentence for the adult to write. Keep the journal from month to month so families can see growth.