First Grade: Journal Writing

By: Christy Sexton




Lesson Focus: Each student will keep a journal that he or she will write in on a regular basis. Various types of journal entries will be made.



Mentor Text: "Diary of a Worm" by Doreen Cronin is a text that is written in diary form, from the perspective of an earthworm. The earthworm narrator, is the family's youngest son. His diary portrays his daily life with his family and friends.

Purpose: I chose to use the text "Diary of a Worm," so that the students can see how the main character uses his journal to write about his daily life. This text should inspire the student's to want to write in their journals.

Author: Doreen Cronin is the New York Times bestselling author of Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Spider; as well as Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, a Caldecott Honor Book; and Giggle, Giggle, Quack. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and their daughters.

Ohio Academic Content Standards
Writing Applications Standard

Benchmarks
A. Compose writings that convey a clear message and include well-chosen details.

First Grade Indicators
4. Produce informal writings (e.g., messages, journals, notes and poems) for various purposes.

Lesson Plans:
1. During the first week of school, the teacher will introduce the idea of journal writing to the students. Each student will keep their own journal, that will be written in several times a week.
2. Before their first journal entry, the teacher will read "Diary of a Worm." As he or she is reading, the teacher will talk about the different topics that the worm discusses in his journal.
3. After the read aloud, the teacher will help the students brainstorm different ideas for journal topics. The students will record these ideas on the first page of his or her journal.
4. Each student will now have the opportunity to write in his or her journal. The students are free to choose their own topics.
5. The teacher will designate a time several times a week, for journal writing. As the students are writing in their journals, the teacher will model journal writing by writing his or her own journal entry.
6. The students will turn in their journals every couple of weeks for the teacher to assess. Some teachers may choose to respond to one of the entries.

Websites:
1. http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/Kids/AuthorsAndIllustrators/ContributorDetail.aspx?CId=21225

2. http://www.doreencronin.com/doreen.html