Welcome to a website focused on resources for teachers with a spotlight on journals for adults and students.

I hope this website gives you ideas for including journaling in your classroom in whatever form may inspire your students. My muse is usually nature and those efforts are what appear through out this website. I am not a professional artist. I am a learner who has always found it easier to draw than to write, to doodle while listening, and to make the concept visual to help me understand it. You may have children in your class right now who work the same way. Give them the change to express their ideas in the way that it is best for them. This may not always be the way that is best for the standardized test--but in 3rd grade and now at age 62 it is the way that cleared my path of discovery.

The great Northwest Territories were virtually unknown in the spring of 1804 when President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their great adventure. They brought together the Corps of Discovery for the purpose of finding a water route to the Pacific Ocean while documenting their observations in journals.

This tradition of documenting geographic and ecological journeys has often had a profound impact on our culture, education, and appreciation of the beauty of our world. When Darwin sailed on the Beagle, he had no idea he would change the world of science as a result of the observations in his journal. Modern explorers, such as astronauts, keep detailed journals of their exploration of space. It is with this spirit of discovery that this website will focus on how recording thoughts in some way helps us see what is important and meaningful.

Traditionally the definition of a journal was narrow--thought of as writing on paper. In written form, the diary is the most frequently used format for recording personal thoughts and ideas. A journal used for instruction is similar but not the same as a diary. Only the author usually reads a diary. Although a journal is personal it is not always private. It is often written for others to read. In classroom journals provide that place for students to express their ideas and thoughts that are shared with others. A journal used as part of teaching activities can be an exciting instructional tool whether in a written format or another venue. Journals can be a place to record descriptions of feelings, events, ideas, research, information, wishes, resolutions, lists, or nature.

When given time to record in a journal and provided feedback from the teacher, students can improve their communication in writing or drawing while developing analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

Let me know if you find this website helpful,
Judy Butler
Judy@JudyButler.com
Feb 3, 2007