Today was my first day I had the students respond in their reading response journal independently. I drew a random reading response prompt from my pile and went with it (How would you feel if...). Students were asked to respond to this prompt based on the book we were reading in small groups. Two of the students were very concerned with having to do extra work compared to the other students in their reading group, but I explained to them that this would take place of another center during reading workshop (this made them feel better).
Overall, I was somewhat disappointed with the responses because they were VERY short and simplistic. None of the 4 participants went deep into the text they were reading. Hopefully once I begin writing back to them every other day, they will better see what is expected and be more motivated to put more effort into their responses!
I think once you comment back to your students just what you suggested will happen. I can relate to what you are going through right now. I have done weekly journals on homework and many of my students wrote only one sentence. I have given a different prompt both times. It is difficult to truly make it a journal in that students just respond and keep away from prodding with questions just to get them to respond (which resembles more of a questionnaire or survey). At least that was my struggle when I started the first journal.
ReplyDeleteHang in there! What you are doing is great! I do have a copy of questions and suggestions for you. Have you thought about putting some type of outline together to give to those students? Or a model example of what you expect? You may want to try this. It may or may not help. I have learned that when I give my students some sort of way to outline and scaffold their thoughts, it becomes easier for them to write and write more in depth answers. I am sorry, but what grade is this again? I do not currently have your other posts up, which the information may be on. :) Sorry if it is, but that information is important in helping you come up with next steps.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree and began doing the model examples in my responses after day 2. This has helped some but I still have not got a response I am hoping for yet... There is plenty time and nowhere to go but up!
DeleteMy kiddos are 2nd graders (but my participants range from K-4th grade level.