Family Journals

This lesson introduces Family Message Journals—a teacher-tested tool for encouraging family involvement and supporting writing to reflect and to learn. The teacher introduces journals by demonstrating the process of writing a letter. Children are then led into composing through guided writing and finally independent writing of messages that they will bring home for family (or others) to read and write a reply. Messages focus on classroom learning and activities in which children have participated at school. A letter to families is included so that they understand what they are expected to do with the children's daily journal messages and why. This activity is an effective tool for developing narrative writing, as well as, reinforcing student learning. While journal writing is a creative process, using a statement such as "Today I learned..." helps students focus on their learning. Students also need to include transitional words.

Standards & Objectives

Academic standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.5
With guidance and support from adults, demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.3
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.5
Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.5
With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.1
Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2
Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.4
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.2.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.2.4
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.1
Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.2
Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.4
Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.4
Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.7
Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.8
Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.10
Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.2
With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.4
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.5
Identify the front cover, back cover, and title page of a book.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.6
Name the author and illustrator of a text and define the role of each in presenting the ideas or information in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.8
With prompting and support, identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.10
With prompting and support, read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade 1.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.7
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.10
Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.4
Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.5
Recognize common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.1
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.3
Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to gather additional information or clarify something that is not understood.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.6
Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation. (See grade 1 Language standards 1 and 3 for specific expectations.)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.1
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.3
Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.4
Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.5
Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.6
Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification. (See grade 2 Language...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.2
Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.3
Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.4
Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.5
Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.1
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.2
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.3
Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.5
With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from peers, and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.6
With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.1
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.2
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.3
Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.5
With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.8
Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.1
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.2
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.3
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, tell about the events in the order in...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.5
With guidance and support from adults, respond to questions and suggestions from peers and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.6
With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.8
With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
GLE 0001.1.1
Demonstrate an emerging understanding of basic English usage, mechanics, spelling, and sentence structure.
GLE 0001.1.2
Employ a variety of strategies to decode words and expand vocabulary.
GLE 0001.1.4
Begin to explore the alphabetic principle.
GLE 0001.2.1
Develop critical listening skills essential for comprehension, problem solving, and task completion.
GLE 0001.2.2
Develop critical speaking skills essential for effective communication.
GLE 0001.3.1
Use basic knowledge of simple capitalization and punctuation rules.
GLE 0001.8.3
Develop reading fluency and accuracy.
GLE 0101.1.1
Demonstrate control of basic Standard English usage, mechanics, spelling, and sentence structure.
GLE 0101.1.2
Employ a variety of strategies to decode words and expand vocabulary.
GLE 0101.3.1
Compose simple stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
GLE 0101.3.3
Begin to develop topic sentences.
GLE 0101.6.2
Identify the main ideas and supporting details of informational text.
GLE 0201.1.1
Demonstrate control of basic English usage, mechanics, spelling, and sentence structure.
GLE 0201.1.2
Employ a variety of strategies to decode words and expand vocabulary.
GLE 0201.2.1
Develop critical listening skills essential for comprehension, problem solving, and task completion.
GLE 0201.2.2
Develop critical speaking skills essential for effective communication.
GLE 0201.3.1
Write in a variety of modes for different audiences and purposes.
GLE 0201.3.3
Organize ideas into a topic paragraph with complete coherent sentences.
GLE 0201.3.4
Revise first drafts for clearer meaning, correct capitalization, and punctuation.
GLE 0201.7.2
Enhance oral presentations and/or written work with a visual medium.
TSS.ELA.1.FL.PC.1
Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
TSS.ELA.1.FL.PWR.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
TSS.ELA.1.FL.SC.6
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking and conventions of standard English grammar and usage, including...
TSS.ELA.1.FL.VA.7a
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of...
TSS.ELA.1.FL.VA.7b
With guidance and support from adults, demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.1.FL.VA.7c
Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using frequently occurring conjunctions...
TSS.ELA.1.SL.PKI.6
With prompting and support, speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation.
TSS.ELA.1.W.PDW.5
With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from others, and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
TSS.ELA.1.W.PDW.6
With guidance and support from adults, and in collaboration with peers, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing.
TSS.ELA.1.W.TTP.1
With prompting and support, write opinion pieces introducing the topic or text, stating an opinion, supplying a reason for the opinion, and providing some...
TSS.ELA.1.W.TTP.2
With prompting and support, write informative/explanatory texts, naming a topic, supplying some facts about the topic, and providing some sense of closure.
TSS.ELA.1.W.TTP.3
With prompting and support, write narratives recounting an event, including some details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings; use time order words...
TSS.ELA.2.FL.PWR.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
TSS.ELA.2.FL.SC.6
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking and conventions of standard English grammar and usage, including...
TSS.ELA.2.FL.VA.7a
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of...
TSS.ELA.2.FL.VA.7b
Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.2.FL.VA.7c
Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe.
TSS.ELA.2.FL.WC.4
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when encoding words; write legibly.
TSS.ELA.2.RI.IKI.8
Describe how reasons support specific points an author makes in a text.
TSS.ELA.2.RI.KID.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
TSS.ELA.2.RL.KID.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
TSS.ELA.2.SL.CC.1
Participate with varied peers and adults in collaborative conversations in small or large groups about appropriate 2nd grade topics and texts.
TSS.ELA.2.SL.CC.3
Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to gather information or clarify something that is not understood.
TSS.ELA.2.SL.PKI.5
Add audio or visual elements to stories or recounts of experiences, when appropriate, to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
TSS.ELA.2.SL.PKI.6
Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.
TSS.ELA.2.W.PDW.5
With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from peers, and strengthen writing as needed by revising and...
TSS.ELA.2.W.RBPK.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects, such exploring a number of books on a single topic or engaging in science experiments to produce a report.
TSS.ELA.2.W.TTP.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts.
TSS.ELA.2.W.TTP.2
Write informative/explanatory texts.
TSS.ELA.2.W.TTP.3
Write narratives recounting an event or short sequence of events.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.PC.1
Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.PWR.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.SC.6
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking and conventions of standard English grammar and usage, including...
TSS.ELA.K.FL.VA.7a
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on Kindergarten conversations, reading, and content.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.VA.7b
With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.VA.7c
Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
TSS.ELA.K.FL.WC.4
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when encoding words; write legibly.
TSS.ELA.K.RI.IKI.8
With prompting and support, identify the reasons an author provides to support points in a text.
TSS.ELA.K.RI.RRTC.10
With prompting and support, read informational texts of appropriate complexity for Kindergarten.
TSS.ELA.K.RL.RRTC.10
With prompting and support, read stories and poems of appropriate complexity for Kindergarten.
TSS.ELA.K.SL.CC.1
Participate with varied peers and adults in collaborative conversations in small or large groups about appropriate Kindergarten topics.
TSS.ELA.K.SL.CC.2
Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and...
TSS.ELA.K.SL.CC.3
Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
TSS.ELA.K.W.PDW.5
With guidance and support from adults, respond to questions and suggestions from others and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
TSS.ELA.K.W.PDW.6
With guidance and support from adults, and in collaboration with peers, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and share writing.
TSS.ELA.K.W.RBPK.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects, such as reading a number of books by a favorite author and expressing opinions about them.
TSS.ELA.K.W.TTP.1
With prompting and support, use a combination of drawing, dictating, and/or writing to compose opinion pieces.
 
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Learning objectives: 

Students will

  • begin to use writing for daily communication with families as a tool for reflection on school activities.
  • become more aware of readers' needs for clarity and legibility and how they can meet these needs.

 

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Creating

References

Contributors: