Journal Topics
Find the list of daily journal topics below. Students are expected to "free write" (write whatever comes to mind without worrying about things like spelling and grammar and organization - just get your ideas onto the page as fast as you can and keep writing whatever comes to mind) for 15 minutes, which means they should be able to write more than a single page. At the end of the 15 minutes, they should think about what they wrote and create a title for their work.
Week 16 (Jan 10-14) |
Monday: How was your holiday? Tell all about it, including your thoughts and feelings.
Tuesday: What is something that would surprise your classmates about you? What do you think they would find most surprising about that fact? Wednesday: Write a poem about your favourite day of the year. Thursday: If you met a genie who could give you any talent in the world, what would you ask for-and why? Friday: Write a story about you and three of your friends getting marooned on a desert island. |
Week 17 (Jan 17-21) |
Monday: Write about the best thing that happened to you last year.
Tuesday: Who is your hero? What inspires you about this person? Wednesday: What is the furthest you've ever travelled from home? Who did you travel with? Did you enjoy the experience? Thursday: Write about your dreams. Do you typically remember your dreams? Do you dream in colour or black-and-white? Are your dreams usually realistic or fantastic? Friday: Write a short story about a kid with an unusual talent. |
Week 18 (Jan 24-28) |
Monday: What is your biggest goal right now? What are you doing to work toward it?
Tuesday: Is it best to be an oldest sibling, middle sibling, youngest sibling, or only child? Why? Wednesday: What part of being an adult sounds like the most fun? Why? Thursday: - - - Friday: - - - |
Week 19
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Monday: What part of being an adult sounds the most challenging? Why?
Tuesday: What is your favourite thing about your mom? Wednesday: What is your favourite thing about your dad? Thursday: Write a poem about the feeling you get when you hang out with your best friend. Friday: - - - |
Week 20 (feb 7-11) |
Monday: What is your most prized possession? What makes it so special to you?
Tuesday: If you could live in any fictional TV show, movie, or book, which would you choose? Why? Wednesday: The most surprising thing I found in the old house was... Thursday: When we found the genies' lamp, we decided to... Friday: My best and I were in the worst fight ever. It all started when... |
Week 21 (Feb 14-18) |
Monday: Is Valentine's Day a real holiday? Explain why. (credit: Seerat)
Tuesday: My dream vacation to __________ was ruined when... Wednesday: I had never seen a dragon before that day in the forest. Thursday: As the world's first 12-year old doctor, I have to share my discovery. Friday: My first trip in a hot-air balloon did NOT go as planned. First,... |
Week 22 (Feb 22-24) |
Tuesday: Rosa looked down at her food, which looked as gross as...
Wednesday: I had the biggest surprise of my life when my cat... Thursday: Sara had never planned on being on another planet. Luckily, she had a... |
Week 23
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Monday: Describe a memory you have of extreme weather.
Tuesday: Write about a time you had to work hard to learn something. Wednesday: Imagine you are sitting outside enjoying nature. What do you see? What do you feel? Thursday: Think about all of the different emotions you have felt over the last week. Tell about them. Friday: What is your favourite physical activity? What do you enjoy about it? |
Week 24 (Mar 7-11) |
Monday: What does the word dream mean? Try to consider as many possible meanings as you can, distinguish them from one another, and explain them in as much detail as you can.
Tuesday: - - - Wednesday: Pretend a friend has never seen your favourite TV show. What is it about? Thursday: Choose two friends or people you know. Compare and contrast them. Friday: Describe your school year so far. What have been the most important events? |
Week 25
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Monday: What did you do during Spring Break?
Tuesday: Reflect on a friendship. What makes it special? Wednesday: What are three things you learned in school this year. How did your thinking change after learning these things? (plus the Ramadaan lamps) Thursday: What was the cause of a recent argument you had? What was the effect? Friday: Compare and contrast two of your favourite sports or activities. |
Week 26 (Apr 4-8) |
Monday-Thursday: There is no journal on these days.
Friday: Teach a reader how to play your favourite board game or card game. |
Week 27 (Apr 11-14) |
Monday: Discuss a conflict in a movie you liked. How was it resolved?
Tuesday: Why are schools built? Why must students have to attend them? Consider the reasons. Do you agree with them? Wednesday: What would be your dream career? Why? Are there any downsides to your choice? Thursday: What is the difference between an invention and a discovery? What do you think is the most important thing that has ever been invented? What do you think is the most important thing that was ever discovered? |
Week 28 (Apr 19-22) |
Tuesday: Explain how to send a friendly text message (or direct message on social media). What are some things you should do and some things you should not do?
Wednesday: Write an explanation of how to tie your shoes. Thursday: Write a helpful guide for a younger student, explaining how to complete your homework without getting distracted or wasting time. Friday: How do you get to the library from your classroom? |
Week 29 (Apr 25-29) |
Monday: How do you choose what to watch on your favourite streaming service?
Tuesday: Explain how to pass a difficult level in a video game. Wednesday: Should kids have homework? Defend your position. Thursday: Is Surrey a good place to live? Defend your position. Friday: Is math important? Defend your position. |
Week 30 (May 2-5) |
Monday: Should school start later?
Tuesday: Should skateboarding be allowed in private parking lots? Wednesday: Is Monday through Friday the best school schedule? Thursday: Does pizza make a good breakfast? |
Week 31 (May 9-13) |
Monday: Are hamsters fun pets?
Tuesday: Should be children be free to search the entire internet? Wednesday: What's the best show on television? Thursday: Why would you make a good school principal? Friday: Which is the best season? |
Week 32 (May 16-20) |
Monday: Who is the best character in a book you've read?
Tuesday: Is university important? Wednesday: What is the best job to have? Thursday: Who is the greatest athlete of all time? Friday: Would you rather give or get a gift? |
Week 33 (May 24-27) |
Tuesday: What are some of your goals in life?
Wednesday: If you could be anyone when you grow up, who would you be? Thursday: What is the most selfless thing you've ever done? Friday: If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why? |
Week 34
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Tuesday: Do you think that there are things that only men or only women can do? Why or why not?
Wednesday: Do you think that astrological horoscopes are true? Why or why not? Thursday: What are some of the difficulties faced by immigrants to a new country? Friday: In 20 years, where do you think you will be? What will you be doing? |
Week 35 (Jun 6-10) |
Monday: How would your friends describe you? Is this an accurate description?
Tuesday: How can you start off a conversation with someone you don't know? Wednesday: What is your deepest, darkest fear? Thursday: What do you believe in the most? How did you develop this belief? |