I learned about the different ways writer's journals can be implemented in the classroom. My promoting the journal as a safe space we can remove the learning barrier of fear. Free of academic judgement that can often hinder student's comfortably to express themselves. Writing is important for students and the journals enable an environment where they can grow independently, explore ideas, and also a way to regulate student's emotions.

Some of the takeaways I will be using for my future classroom are allowing students to be creative and be comfortable in their writing journals. I loved the idea of it being more of a "react" journal and a place for them to explore ideas. I want to be sure I make the act of writing in their journal something they look forward to. A tool I would use is using the prompts that could be on their table or tapped to the inside cover of their book for when they have writer's block.

After reading the article, I am now wondering the amount of time teacher's have students spend in their writing journals. Do they allot a certain amount of time per day or per week? What is a happy medium of not too much time and allowing students to fully write out their thoughts?

This week my mentor teacher read a book called "A squiggly story", about a boy who is writing a story for class. He is kindergarten and is still learning to write, so his older sister who loves to read, helps him brainstorm and write out a beginning of a story. He uses the letters "V" to show waves on the beach. I was thinking of that story while reading this article because the boy was using what he knew to write a story. When he shared his story with the class, there wasn't judgment by his teacher that he didn't spell many of the words or didn't perfectly articulate the happenings, and instead was applauded for his exciting story.

By being in kindergarten, I had thought it would be difficult for students to use a writer's journal, but it is a place of practice. Doodling and drawing pictures can help them articulate themselves, while they continue to learn. This will also be interesting to see after the year, because of the amount of growth they have!

After my mentor teacher had read the book, I brought up to her how I liked the idea of the student's being able to write in a way that makes sense to them. She told me it was important she read this story at the beginning of the year so students can notice how writing can look different and that they should write what makes sense to them, as they learn to spell words.

We are still learning to write! The students are practicing their letters. This week we are going over A, M, and T.

She also explains to "not be polite" while writing a summary and I felt like that was important. The point is to get to the facts and keep it brief. It helps put it in perspective.

One of the ideas that stuck out to me was the importance on building a community. Allowing students to feel comfortable enough to SHARE their writing vs write it alone is different. Building a foundation, where students can feel safe and supported can allow students to be more open about their writing. Allowing students to interact with others daily in a way that builds that trust and comfortability is game changing.