Post+Its

**Dialogue Journals**

**Content** Free Writing

**Grade Level** This type of journal is suggested for all students to encourage them to write freely and express themselves. It is also suggested as a tool specific for ELL students who may feel intimidated speaking openly in the classroom.

**Curriculum Standards** RLA.S.7.2 Writing Students will apply writing skills and strategies to communicate effectively for different purposes by
 * using the writing process,
 * applying grammatical and mechanical properties in writing and
 * selecting and evaluating information for research purposes.

**Description of Practices** Students will have these journals to write freely back and fourth with their teacher. It should be noted that these writings can be both structured with specific topics and of open choice topics. Teachers should ask on occassion that these entries have minimum and/or maximum lengths. First students will write in their journals Next the teacher should write back individually, commenting on the topic the student has written about. It should also be noted that these journals are not for the use of correcting grammatical errors but rather to encourage students to get their thoughts, feelings, emotions, ideas, etc. on paper.

**Implementation Considerations** This should be done with the whole class, even if it is specifically created for an ELL student. I would encourage using these journals early in a school year to help teachers get to know their students on a personal level and to help them build relationships that wil encourage students to be open and feel comfortable writing and expressing themselves in the future.

**Example** [] **Citation** Regan, K. S. (2003). Using Dialogue Journals in the Classroom. //Teaching Exceptional Children//, //36//(2), 36-41.