1. Journal Prompts

2. Journal #1: September 7, 2017
On page 101, make a heading for Journal Entry #1
Brainstorm and focus your topic: Everyone has a memory that is special to them. Think about a moment in your life that is special to you. What happened that made this memory important?
Think about adjectives that apply to this memory. Ask yourself…
…how did I feel about this?
…how would I describe the people and places involved with this memory
Make a list of possible adjectives you could use to describe the people, places and feelings (things) that go along with this memory.
Write a paragraph (or more) about the events related to this memory.

3. Journal #2: September 15, 2017
Make a heading after your journal #1 response. If you have at least ¼ of a page, you don’t have to begin a new page.
Think of a special place you like to go. This can be a certain city, building, room, park, etc. Any place will do as long as you have strong feelings about it. Describe that place.
Begin by thinking of imagery details you might use. Make a list of sights, sounds, smells, textures, etc. that you might experience in your chosen place.
Write a paragraph (or more) describing this place. Where is it? What do you do there? Why is it a special place? Pay attention to the verbs and adjectives you choose to use. Include at least two imagery details.

4. Journal #3: September 18, 2017
Make a heading after your journal #2 response. If you have at least ¼ of a page, you don’t have to begin a new page.
Without looking at a dictionary, how would you define the trait of courage? Think of any specific examples you can that would help you with your definition.
Think of an experience you have had with courage—a time you, or someone you know/heard about/read about/etc., demonstrated courage.
Write a paragraph (or more) relating this experience. What happened, when, where, who, why was this a demonstration of courage, etc.?

5. Journal #4: September 25, 2017
Make a heading after your journal #3 response. If you have at least ¼ of a page, you don’t have to begin a new page.
Write a different beginning to the example paragraph, OR explain what a writer could do to write a more effective beginning.
Think of your descriptive paragraph topic and the different methods of writing an effective topic sentence.
Write at least two different topic sentences you could use to begin your descriptive paragraph.
Examples
-Whenever I think of Lagoon, I remember it as a magical place. (O/P)
-Lagoon is a magical place for many reasons. (power)

6. Journal #5: October 9, 2017
Make a heading after your journal #4 response. If you have at least ¼ of a page, you don’t have to begin a new page.
Choose one of the following NARRATIVE writing prompts to write about today:
the best vacation you ever took a time when someone helped you
a time you accomplished a goal a memorable event from elementary school
a time you stood up for what you believed in
a story about your favorite person a personal story topic of your choice
Include details about what happened, who was involved, where you were, and why this story is important or memorable

7. Journal #6: October 13, 2017
Make a heading after your journal #5 response. If you have at least ¼ of a page, you don’t have to begin a new page.
Go to and enter your name and choose the 4-6th button.
Click on the “spin” lever and then experiment with the different columns until you get a story idea that you like.
Write TWO different beginnings for your story—use the different forms of leads discussed in class yesterday. You want your beginning to resemble the “Better” examples you can see in your notebook.
Then choose the beginning you like and for the rest of writing time, create the story.
Write as complete a story as you can—include the characteristics of narratives (characters, setting, dialogue, details, description, plot, etc.)

8. Journal #7: October 16, 2017
Make a heading after your journal #6 response. If you have at least ¼ of a page, you don’t have to begin a new page.
After thinking about all of the different types of courage and examples, for your journal response today, make a list of as many experiences you can remember when you showed courage. Your list does not have to be complete sentences.
Example: -tried out for the volleyball team -finished 400 m race
-stood up to my older brother tried out for choir
-performed in front of school confessed about ditching
-showed teacher error on test and so on
If time, choose one and talk about the details with a partner.