What is lesson report? Classroom Observations

Definition

Have you ever been assigned to write a class journal? While an informal and sometimes ungraded assignment, journal entries can help you develop other transferable writing skills. So, what is journal writing exactly?

Journal writing is the process of recording personal insights, reflections and questions on assigned or personal topics. Journal projects assigned in class may include your thoughts about daily experiences, reading assignments, current events or science experiments. Journal entries are a form of reflective writing, in that you can use them to consider and respond to something you have read or learned.

However, journal entries should not merely summarize what you have read, nor should they focus only on your feelings. Instead, they should demonstrate your ability to conduct a critical inquiry. The term, critical inquiry, refers to the steps involved in collecting and analyzing ideas or information.

Because journal writing allows you to examine different ideas and writing strategies, it's also a form of exploratory writing. Keep in mind that a class journal is not the same thing as a private diary, in that the writing may be a little bit more formal, although not as formal as an essay. And while a personal diary is private, your teacher may have access to your class journal or require you to share portions with other students.