I find that journal writing is the most exciting and creative types of writing that my students regularly take part in. I emphasize creativity in the journals that I require my seventh and eighth graders to keep. They are never penalized for spelling or grammar in their journals because the entries are all about their ideas. I want students to feel free to express themselves in their journals. I want them to enjoy their writing and allow themselves the freedom to not worry about form, structure, grammar and the other parts of writing that we regularly examine during other types of writing such as essay and research writing.
Journal writing combined with artwork almost always leads to the type of higher-order thinking that the latest changes in educational curriculum aim to enhance. Students make connections, take critical stances and are able to think past the literal interpretation that so often characterizes traditional assessment.
Journal writing will work easily into this unit. After class discussions on art and literature students will be asked to comment in their journals. Another aspect of journal writing is that it is an easy way to get students to share their work. I always ask students to share what they have written with classmates when they are done writing. It is not mandatory to share, but it is encouraged, and I find that most students enjoy reading their work out loud. The more they share, the more they enjoy the writing. In this unit journal writing will help to extend the conversation that we have about the artwork and about Native Americans. I will ask my students to set aside a section of their journals for this unit. The possible topics are endless. Trying to get students to choose a topic that makes those connections to higher order thinking is key to a successful unit.
Some possible journal topics:
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- Write a story based on the painting
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- What does the image remind you of?
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- Write one character’s explanation of what is happening
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- Write a character sketch
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- How would you change the painting if you were the artist
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- Write a soliloquy
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- Compare the painting with another
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- Analyze an aspect of the image (shading, texture, color, composition)
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- How does the image make you feel?
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- How might the image make others feel?
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- Write an interview with the artist or character portrayed