Writing Lesson Idea: Keeping a Journal

Writing regularly is important, but thinking of interesting topics for the student to write about can be very difficult. Likewise, having the student write often about his/her daily activities quickly becomes stale and monotonous. The following ideas will encourage your student to think and reflect as part of the writing process.

• Teaching Adults: A Literacy Resource Book by Laubach Literacy Action, page 105, Activity #59.
• Some excellent tips for Getting Started Writing your Journal.
• Find more suggestions for journal topics on the web.

• First determine the goal of journal writing:
  • Is it to correct writing errors?
  • Is it for the student to get comfortable with putting words on paper?
  • How often will the student write?
  • Will the tutor read the journal?
• Teach your student how to organize and plan his/her writing: Try Activities #61 through 63 in Teaching Adults. After teaching all three activities, decide which one works best with your student’s learning style.
• Here are some topic ideas:
  • What is your favorite time of year?
  • Describe a family member.
  • Compare your first impressions of working with a tutor to your expectations.
  • Describe your ride home.
  • Compare the personalities of two friends.
  • I was happiest when…
  • What is the most important thing you will ever do?
  • Write about an incident that illustrates (shyness, kindness, courage, selfishness).
  • Describe the best hour of the day.
  • Describe your holiday dinner table.
  • Describe the qualities of a good teacher, parent, friend, etc.
  • Describe a favorite toy you had as a child.
  • Describe the place where you feel (or have felt) most at home. What makes it a comfortable place for you?
  • Describe the perfect day. Make it a possible day, not a dream day.
  • Write a letter to yourself to be sealed now and opened and read by you in ten years. What will you want to remember then?