Writing journals have been introduced very successfully into my class and across the whole school. I led whole staff training on writing journals and on how they can be used which staff received very well. I have a much better understanding now of how writing journals can be used, particularly in how these sessions should be run. I now write alongside the children and they love to see me edit my own writing and share my writing with the class.
Writing journal sessions have been introduced across the whole school. Each class is taking part in these sessions at least once per week. Children have been able to personalise their books and we have seen many wacky designs on their front covers! It was made clear to the children that their books will not be marked, and will only be shared if they would like them to be. We have used many quick write activities to warm up writing in my class and this is being rolled out across the school. A particular favourite for the class was to write down what they liked and did not like until I told them to stop. They have particularly enjoyed challenges with a time limit!
Many children have opted to share their work during the sessions but we have spent time on looking at prompts to give feedback. For example:
- How did you feel about the writing you have just done?
- Where did things flow easily?
- Were some parts difficult?
- What would you like to do next with your writing?
As a school, we have also used videos and pictures as inspiration for writing in their writing journals but children are always given the option to write exactly what they like. A particular favourite video for our KS1 children has been ‘Whistleless’ on Literacy Shed. Children watched the video and many independently chose to retell the story.
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Writing Journals have been extremely well received across the school. On a recent choir trip to the Royal Albert Hall, a boy in year 5 took along his writing journal with him for the coach journey and proudly showed his book to the Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher. The children in my class will often ask to get out their writing journals and often ask when our next writing journal session will be. Children have been so enthusiastic about writing in their journals and love to have independence over their own writing. Previously disengaged writers have become much more confident and enthusiastic and this has also transferred into their writing across the curriculum.
When asking children whether they liked writing in their writing journals, 96% of children said they liked their writing journal sessions.
When asking children whether they liked writing in their writing journals, 96% of children said they liked their writing journal sessions.