A journal is a written account that a student
keeps to record what she or he has learned. You are to use it daily to record
and summarize key topics studied, your feelings toward science, difficulties or
successes in solving a particular problem or topic, or any other notes or
comments you wish to make.
The use of a journal is an excellent way for you to practice and improve your
writing skills. You may always respond to the following prompts to guide your
journal entries:
"What I understood or learned about this lesson or chapter was ...." (What proof
do you have?)
AT LEAST 3 SUPPORTING STATEMENTS
"Questions I still have about this lesson or chapter are ...."
Teachers activate students' prior knowledge by asking them what they already Know; then students (collaborating as a classroom unit or within small groups) set goals specifying what they Want to learn; and after reading students discuss what they have Learned. Students apply higher-order thinking strategies which help them construct meaning from what they read and help them monitor their progress toward their goals. A worksheet is given to every student that includes columns for each of these activities.
Use of the weekly status report is a well known project management tool. In any project, you need to tell the "boss" what you are doing.