As future teachers of ELA (or more specifically writing), I think it is so important to encourage our students to find their own voices in their writing without fear of being graded harshly if they are ‘wrong’. If we grade every single assignment as a high stakes piece of writing, we will stunt the creativity in our students and ultimately kill their voice if it is not ‘correct’ in our view. I think the way to best handle this sort of issue is to implement a lot of low or even no stakes writing daily in the classroom.
I think I have always loved the idea of journaling. I, myself, have never been able to journal. I get bored and I think I have to write every single small detail of my life down, which is ridiculous I know, but I have always envied those who journal frequently. Looking back on my life, I wish I would have began journaling so I could see how I used to be years ago compared to how I am now. I think a way to promote students’ voices in the classroom is to have a designated time daily to write in journals.
Student journals could take on any form. I could pose a question daily, or encourage free writing. I think it would be great to have a range of questions that students can choose from as well as giving them the free writing option. I would also not ever grade these writings. I just think journaling allows for creative stimulation, and also lets students improve their writing daily. I think that writing in a journal also allows for students to improve how they articulate ideas and put them into words.
Journaling seems like a fun way to encourage no and low stakes writing, and it gives students ownership over their writing as well. I hope to one day implement this in my classroom.