Introduce young writers to the joy of journaling through drawing, labeling, and emergent writing activities that develop fine motor skills, creativity, and self-expression.
My First Journal introduces Grade 1 students to personal writing through a developmentally appropriate approach that values all forms of early writing - from drawings and scribbles to labeled pictures and sentences. Students learn that their ideas, experiences, and feelings are worth recording. This daily or weekly practice builds writing stamina, fine motor skills, and a positive identity as a writer.
ELO 1: Learners will listen, speak, read, write, view, and represent to explore thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences.
ELO 5: Learners will create texts collaboratively and independently.
Recognize and celebrate all stages of writing development in Grade 1 journals:
Pictures carry the message. Students can explain their drawing orally. This is writing!
Pictures with letter strings, random letters, or invented spelling labels. Beginning sound representation.
Pictures accompanied by a simple sentence using inventive spelling. May need help with spacing.
Multiple sentences with more conventional spelling. Stories, lists, or personal narratives.
