By expanding in-class free-writing assignments (or out-of-class
journal entries) into creative class presentations, the students were able
to:
Incorporate different learning styles;
Generate ideas from free-writing activities;
Broaden the usual student-teacher audience for
journal writing;
Practice revision techniques;
Develop public-speaking skills.
Description:
Each week, students were required to write journal entries at
the beginning of class, at their weekly tutoring sessions, and outside of
school. The in-class writing was usually focused free writing, with a topic
supplied by the instructor, and the homework was based on the assigned reading.
About a month into the semester, each student chose one journal
entry to “expand.” They were asked to write a poem or a song,
make a short video, tape a reading of the entry, paint a picture, construct
a collage, or work on any other creative activity that suited their learning
styles. They were given four weeks to complete the assignment and present
it to the rest of the class.
Result:
When presentation day came around, all of the students were in
class and prepared. It was one of their most animated sessions. The students
had created a variety of projects, including colorful collages, based on their
favorite celebrities’ biographies or on their “dream date.”
A couple read their original poetry—one on sports fans and one on the
student’s favorite artist. Others sang original songs that were based
on their in-class free writing. One student played a video she made about
her weekend, another taped herself representing her favorite artist, and a
third presented a video about life in the dorms, complete with interviews
of other students.
Other Comments:
The students’ counselors were invited to the class, and
the College Now office offered bulletin-board space so that the students could
take turns displaying their final projects (expanding the audience further).
As a result of this activity, the students recognized that journal
writing is not necessarily an “end.” It can be used as a means
for generating ideas for papers and other projects.
