Keeping a journal
This is an example of one means of self reflection / evaluation which has been suggested in several of the previous activities.
Summary information:
Age range:
8-13
Curriculum links:
English – writing for a purpose
PHSE – exploring feelings, developing empathy
Time needed:
A session to introduce the journal (20 - 30 minutes); 5 - 10 minutes for each journal entry thereafter
Group size:
Individual pupils
Setting:
Classroom or home
Sustainability learning outcome:
Pupils will:
- have experience of assessing their own learning in a non-threatening environment;
- take ownership for aspects of their own learning.
Preparation:
You might need to discuss the idea of journals with colleagues.
Resources needed:
Suitable books for journal entries
Caution:
Sensitivity will be need in using this assessment tool. It might not be appropriate for all pupils at first – some might find it very threatening, or not have the expressive skills.
Procedure:
- Prepare pupils for this activity, clarifying its purpose, i.e. a record of personal learning. You might want to agree some ground rules regarding entries. For example:
Privacy
Honesty
Non-judgemental
Who sees the journal?
- Having reached agreement on these points, talk about how entries can be made. Suggested format:
Title of activity and date
From this activity I learnt ...
I think ... (e.g. ‘sustainability’) means ...
I think the key issues are ...
In future I will ...
Extension/variation:
Identify a section of a display board, or use large sheets of paper that can be easily accessed. After each activity, ask pupils to write on post-its key points of their learning, for example:
- what they know;
- what they still want to know;
- how they feel
These can be stuck onto the display board or large sheets.
Periodically pupils can gather round and discuss the records, grouping them to get a ‘feel’ for how the learning is progressing.
The large sheets could also be added to a Big Book. This variation has the advantage of anonymity if desired.