Writing Journal Guidelines 

Writing entries are written in the black marble composition book.

Writing entries are written in black or blue pen. Corrections and/or changes may be made by drawing 1 line through the word(s).

The length of each writing entry should be at least 1 page. They may be as long as the student wishes.

Use both sides of every page in the black marble composition book.

Date each writing entry ON THE FIRST LINE ON THE RIGHT SIDE.

A student is encouraged to use pictures, drawings, stamping, etc. to illustrate any writing.

The writing journal should be KEPT IN HE STUDENT’S BACKPACK so that it is available for use in school and at home.

A student is required to complete 4 WRITING ENTRIES PER MONTH. You may use the writing ideas provided, your own, or a  combination. Additional entries are the student's choice and will be given extra credit.   

Journals will be assessed on the assigned due dates.                  

Writing journals will be graded on neatness, following directions, creativity, variety of writing  styles, spelling, and grammar.

                               Writing Journal Due Dates

                           #1  Thursday        September 29

                           #2  Thursday        October 27

                           #3  Monday          November 28

                           #4  Monday          December 19

                           #5  Wednesday     February 15

                           #6  Friday            March 23

                           #7  Tuesday         April 24

                           #8  Wednesday     May 16

Journal Writing Ideas

September

* List and explain 2 goals from this school year.

* Describe your favorite meal.

* On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner.  Copy and illustrate the 1^st stanza. 

* What is your most prized possession?

* Tell 2 facts about the U.S. Constitution which was signed on September 17, 1787.

* Autumn begins on September 22. Tell what you like best and least about autumn.

* Define the word friendship in your own words. Use pictures to illustrate.

* The planet Neptune was discovered on September 23, 1846. How might your life change if you lived on Neptune?

* Tell 2 facts about the U.S. Constitution which was signed on September 17, 1787.

* Johnny Appleseed was born on September 26, 1774. Copy your favorite recipe that uses apples.

* What do you like most about yourself?

* Who is your favorite relative? Why?

October

* October is UNICEF month. Tell what the letters in UNICEF mean and what UNICEF does.

* Explain why you think you ARE or ARE NOT a good loser.

* What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?

* How does happiness feel?

* Columbus Day is observed on the 2^nd Monday of October.  Pretend that you sailed with Columbus to explore new lands.

 Tell how you felt while exploring with Columbus.

* National Fire Prevention Week is observed during the 2^nd week of October.  Make a list of 5 ways to prevent fires. Tell about your home emergency fire escape plans.

* Convince your teachers that you know enough to skip the 5^th grade.

* What do you really enjoy doing?

* October 16 is Dictionary Day. Find 5 new words in the dictionary.  Write their definition(s) and use each in a sentence

* Tell about the day you babysat a monkey.

* Describe the world’s craziest sandwich.

* Why are school rules necessary?

* Imagine that all television stations stopped broadcasting for 1 week.  What would you do in place of watching television?

* President Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858. Tell why Roosevelt is associated with national parks.

* The cotton gin was invented on October 28, 1793. Who invented the cotton gin and why was it so important to farming?

* Explain a day in the life of a fallen leaf.

* Describe your best Halloween.

* What is the hardest thing that you ever had to do?

November

* November 1^st is All Saints’ Day. Tell about any saint that interests you.

* Election Day comes on the Tuesday after the 1^st Monday of November. Would you like to someday run for a political office such as Senator, Governor, Mayor, or even President? Which one and why?

* What are some reasons why understanding math could be helpful in your future life?

* Veterans’ Day is observed on November 11. Who are veterans and why is it important to recognize them?

* Tell about something that you did on a recent Saturday that you really enjoyed.

* Tell about the biggest surprise you have ever had in your life.

* Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. Why is the Gettysburg Address important?

* Would you rather be a dog or a cat? Explain the reason for your choice.

* Make a list of 20 things for which you are thankful. Explain.

* Tell about a family Thanksgiving tradition.

* How was the way the Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving different from the way we celebrate Thanksgiving today?

* Write a Thanksgiving prayer.

* What is the bravest thing that you have ever done? Explain.

* If you were a parent, how would you get your children to do something they didn’t want to do – like eat their vegetables or clean their room?

* How would your life change if you were 30 feet tall?

December

* Tell how your family prepares for the Christmas Holiday.

* What do you think would happen if Jesus walked into our classroom? What would He say? What would you say to Him?

* What season of the year do you like best? Explain.

* What is your favorite color? Write the reasons for your choice.

* Explain this saying: Jesus is the reason for the season.

* How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when Jesus was born?

* If you had x-ray vision, what would you use it for?

* What is the best part of the school day for you? Explain.

* Design a Christmas ornament. Who would you give this ornament to and why?

* What do you hope to find under the Christmas tree this year? Explain.

* You have NO money to buy Christmas gifts. What can you give as a present to your family or friends?

* Pretend that you were an animal near the manger where Jesus was born. Explain how you felt or what you did.

January

* What is a New Year’s Resolution? Did you make any? Tell about one and why you made it. If you didn’t make any resolutions, tell why you didn’t.

* What makes you so special or unique?

* Tell what might happen if time got stuck at midnight.

* January is Stamp Collecting Month. Tell about something that you collect.

* George Washington Carver was born on January 10, 1864. Why was the peanut so important to George Washington Carver?

* What is your worst fear? How do you handle your fear?

* What is your favorite fairy tale? Explain why.

* Martin Luther King’s birthday is celebrated on the 3^rd Monday of January. Tell about the “Dream” that he had. Do you have any dreams? Explain.

* The U.S. President is inaugurated in January. What happens on that day?

* How do you think that you could be a better friend?

* Explain how your life would be different if you had to be in a wheel-chair.

* Gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California on January 24, 1848. What would you do if you discovered gold?

* If your pillow could talk, what would it say about you?

* Recall a compliment that you recently paid to someone else. Explain how you think your compliment made the other person feel.

* Explain the advantages or disadvantages of being able to fly around like a bird.

* If you could visit any place in the world for the first time, where would you go? Explain.

* Tell about your most embarrassing moment.

February

* February 2^nd is Groundhog Day. Why do people look for the groundhog? Do you think that this tradition is silly? Explain.

* February is Black History Month. Tell about one of these famous Black Americans: Frederick Douglas or Rosa Parks.

* What do you always have with you?

* What would you do if one morning you woke up to discover that you were the size of a blueberry?

* Design a robot that will do your homework. Label and explain the parts of the robot.

* What makes going to a St. Joseph School so great?

* Make a list of 10 ways you can show your family how much you LOVE them.

* Susan B. Anthony, who fought for women’s rights, was born on February 15, 1820. Tell some important things about Susan B. Anthony.

* Explain this saying: Love makes the world go ‘round.

* What is a leap year? Explain why you WOULD or WOULD NOT want to have been born on February 29^th.

* Tell what you will be doing in the year 2050.

* Compare peanut butter to jelly.

* What would it be like to live in a castle? Draw a picture of the castle.

March

* March is Music in our Schools Month. If you could be in the school band what instrument would you play? Why? If you already play an instrument tell why you chose it.

* What can’t you live without?

* If you were a raindrop, where would you like to land? Explain.

* What one rule would you like to change? Explain.

* St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17^th. Tell some things you know about St. Patrick.

* What would you do if you were invisible?

* At the Last Supper, Jesus told the apostles: “Do this in memory of Me.” What did he mean? Explain how you think Jesus felt at this time.

* Explain why we rejoice on Easter Sunday.

* Name a current fad. Explain why you DO or DO NOT like it.

* What do you think is your greatest accomplishment or achievement so far? Explain your answer.

* In Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, Mr. Zuckerman says, “A miracle has happened on this farm.” Write about the closest thing to a miracle that you have seen or heard about.

* Tell about one symbol or object that is important to your cultural background.

* Explain the meaning of the saying: Beauty is only skin deep.

* Invent something that would make your life easier. Include a picture and explanation of your invention.

* Tell how you would spend a backwards day.

* Why do you daydream?

April

* During April we observe Earth Day. How can you help to make the Earth a better place to live?

* What things would you put into a time capsule today that would tell people living a thousand years from now something about people today?

* In President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address, he said, “And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” What do you think you can do for your country, now and in the future?

* If you could choose any time in history to live, when would it be? Explain.

* The third week in April is Library Week. Write about an adventure when you and your friends spent the night in the library. How did you feel sleeping amongst all those stories about famous people, places, and events?

* If you were your best friend’s fairy godmother, what would you do for him or her?

* What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

* If you were writing a book about your family, what title would you give it? Explain.

* If you and your friend won a 24 hour limo ride, where would you go and why?

* What would you do differently if the sun shone 24 hours a day? Explain.

May

* You have $1,000,000 but can’t spend any of it on yourself. What will you do with it? Explain.

* You have the very last pencil/pen in the world. Choose your words carefully because once the pencil/pen is gone you have nothing else to write with. What will you write? Explain.

* How would you feel if suddenly everyone forgot who you were?

* Write a poem for your mother, grandmother, or special aunt for Mother’s Day.

* Why does our country observe Memorial Day? Explain.

* The following words are from the song Home, Sweet Home by John Howard Payne. “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.” Explain what you like most about your home.

* Name a job you would like to do and list the qualifications you have for that job.

* List the 3 most important people you know. Explain why these people are important to you.

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