Internet Academy Resources

Writing a Resonse Journal

Can you keep a secret? Lots of people like to write special things in a book called a diary. A diary is a private place to write special thoughts. You can also write special thoughts about your reading in a reading journal. A reading journal is the same as a diary, and different from a diary. It can be private. It can also be a place where you write thoughts about your reading to share with others.

Remember when we learned about a K-W-L chart? You will understand more about what you read if you already know something about your story or topic. And if you can make a connection to something you already know, you will understand new information much better. Writing in a response journal is one way to practice both of these skills.

Let’s see how a response journal works.

MATERIALS:

• paper or spiral notebook
• pencil/pen/markers

GOAL:

To write down and share your FEELINGS and THOUGHTS about the story you are reading. This is different from telling or summarizing the story. This writing is about your feelings and thoughts. You can also make connections to something in the story you already know about, or have experienced. The story might remind you of something or someone. You can write about that too. Your response journal is a place for you to write your own special thoughts!

This might help you get started on your first journal response.

Possible Response Journal Topics

Draw a picture. Describe the setting. What is happening in the story now? How would you change it? What do you think will happen next? What is the problem in the story? How would you solve it? Does the main character remind you of someone? How do you feel about the main character? How do you feel about something that happens in the story? Does an event remind you of something that happened to someone you know? What did you learn from the story?

STEPS:

1. Read your story.
2. Have your response journal right there with you.
3. Write the title of the story, the author and the date.
4. Now read and write or draw your thoughts and feelings about the story in your journal.
5. Remember you don’t need to answer all the questions in the chart above. It is only an idea starter!! You’re the boss in your response journal!

FAVORITE PART:

Share your response journal with a parent, brother, sister, friend, grandparent, aunt and then you can share it with your pet!

SAMPLE:

Here is one more format that might help you get started. Word - Response Journal.

Story Title: Author:

MY FAVORITE PART of the story was:   I LIKED the story when the CHARACTER SAID:   I FELT (circle one) happy - sad - excited - scared - surprised - like laughing - like crying - like reading more (add your own) ___________________ when _____________________.     The story’s (circle one) plot - character(s) - setting Reminded me of:     I would like a friend to read this story (or not) because:

JUST FOR FUN:

Design and color a title page for your journal and make it a special book!

Now you know your story and lots more. You know how it connects to your life. You can talk about possible characters or events that you are already familiar with. You might have learned what can happen in a situation that is new to you. And you have a new way to communicate your thoughts and feelings – your own personal response journal.

Did you know that you can use this skill in your independent reading too? Some people keep a reading response journal and write in it every time they read. You can keep quotes, special thoughts, ideas for a story, anything you want to in your response journal. Give it a try.