Journal Topics for Use During the Middle of a Lesson

Journal writing is an excellent way for teachers to check for understanding in the middle of a unit. The following journal topics are designed to be used in the middle of a unit or multi-day lesson. They can be used across the curriculum.

1. Write a question you have about anything we have discussed so far.
2. Write a sentence telling how knowing about ________(new topic) might be useful to you personally.
3. What is interfering with your learning right now?
4. How do you feel about this issue now?
5. How would you feel about this issue if you were _________(someone likely to have a different perspective)?
6. What are you thinking about right now?
7. How to you feel when you hear someone one say______________(a controversial statement about the topic of study)?
8. How do you think your best friend (or boyfriend or girlfriend) feels about ___________(controversial topic)?