Journaling about Journaling

This week, we read about keeping journals, diaries or logs in Holly’s Keeping a Personal-Professional Journal. We learned the small details about the difference between the three, and I have found that this blog I am writing is, in fact, a journal, because it combines the structure and factual information that a log would, as well as my personal take on the matters, and experiences, which can sometimes be open-ended, which are characteristics of a diary. Together, these two elements help to make my writings considered journaling. It goes on to discuss different reasons for writing, and I believe that in this medium, I am writing both to clarify and to reflect. I can reflect on my past writings after this semester, or throughout the semester to see how I have grown throughout my placement, but I am also clarifying my thoughts and perspectives on the readings I am assigned, and things I see in the classroom.

After reading this article, I think of journaling in a different light, and think that it has many benefits to not only me as a teacher, but to students. My journaling can benefit myself to improve my life and my teaching, which will in turn benefit my students who depend on me as a teacher to work hard to improve and be better everyday. I also think that journaling could be something that could benefit the entire classroom if students were involved. They can improve them selves professionally too, as professional students, like I am now in my classes. Students can keep journals to reflect on their behavior and effort, how they felt during class, and how they want to improve, or what they want to see change. Students being able to write down their feelings about their day and their experience in the classroom will possibly effect a change in their attitude and effort as a student, improving both their experience as a student, and mine as a teacher, who will now be able to work with eager, focused students.

I wonder, can journaling become a part of the classroom routine, to help benefit students and teachers?

While completing my wondering, I am keeping different sources of writing such as logs and journals, documenting what happens within my groups as I implement the positive behavior system, and I am using them to reflect and see progress. I am considering implementing a place in this inquiry for the students to journal about how they feel the system is working, and their feelings on certain lessons, etc. I am not sure how this will go, and in kindergarten it may be more of me recording their feelings, however I think it will help me to gain insight into what can be improved, and if the system is actually working.

In my future classroom, I think I will try to implement a block of time during each school day, or once a week, where students and I will sit, write, and reflect. I want to see how this effects student and teacher behavior, and how it helps them to become more reflective in their overall lives, to make changes and improvements.

My wondering for this week is still open, but I think that after reading the article, and reflecting on my blog in the past, that journaling can be a way to help students and teachers make the most of their educational experience, and I now better understand the value it can have in all areas of life.