Entry #10 * McKenzie Gives Makayla Opportunity to Reflect

 The reflective process is a huge component of teaching and is something that I want to practice during my own teaching career.

- McKenzie Hart, Blog Entry #4

I was scrolling through my colleagues blogs, enjoying different perspectives on what we have learned so far this semester. On my friend McKenzie's blog #4 (go read it!!), I kept saying out loud "Yes! Me too, me TOO!" while reading. I remember reflecting on the journal genre, however, I never thought to deeply connect the genre to my prior experiences or my future teaching experiences like McKenzie hopes to. Just as you did in your student teaching placement, I also journaled after everyday of student teaching (it was a requirement). Tonight I went back and skimmed some of my journals from this experience. I have to admit, I remember some days it felt like a daunting task to take the time to journal because I was just so busy. Reading these now, I am forever grateful I took the time to reflect (even just for a few minutes) on what I learned in that experience. When Tompkins (2012) states "writing is a powerful tool for thinking and learning" (108), I understand that taking that time to really reflect on your own thoughts and having a "go to" space to write it down can feel really comforting. That is exactly what I want for my students!

I agree with you, Mckenzie, that Tompkins (2012) provides us with multiple ways to incorporate the journal genre into our classroom. It is my dream to teach 1st or 2nd graders. I would love to incorporate one of these ways to journal into my writing center time, I am just not sure how. I know that students at this age are just beginning to understand how letters and sounds have a distinct relationship (phonics). I would love to incorporate a personal journal for students to get into the routine of writing in everyday or maybe even once a week starting out. Tompkins does add that "students write personal journals to develop writing fluency" (p. 110). I think it is important as a teacher to understand that even at a younger age, students should still be engaging in the process of writing. That is why I believe that starting a personal journal for my students would beneficial for them. Whether that be writing their name, writing a sentence and drawing a picture, writing words they know or have seen, students are constantly being engaged in the process of writing in their journals and will have the opportunity to go back and look at what they did in the past compared to what they learned at the end of the year. 

If you haven't already, go check out Mckenzie's Blog!