WHY TEACH JOURNAL STARTERS

Journal Starters encourage teens to observe, think, question, write and draw about things in their environment. Learning to notice, record and analyze natural phenomena and patterns are important skills that promote both writing and critical thinking development. Teaching teens to use their science journal often empowers teens to slow down and draw their own conclusions about what is going on in the world around them.

HOW TO USE JOURNAL STARTERS

Journal Starters are an easy, adaptable & thought-provoking addition to any science curriculum or enrichment. Here are some ideas to make the most of using Journal Starters:

• Choose a specific notebook to make into a dedicated science journal and set aside some time for your teen to decorate the cover. Encourage your teen to make their science journal personal and unique.

• Choose one Journal Starter to focus on each month. Challenge your teen to continue adding to their journal entry throughout the month.

• Match one or more Journal Starters to each unit of your existing science curriculum or enrichment and have your teen complete relevant Journal Starter at different times throughout the unit.

• Let your teen pick one Journal Starter to complete each week. It's ok if your teen wants to repeat the same Journal Starter multiple times. As long as their thoughts develop and mature with each new response, repetition can build deeper critical thinking skills.

• Use Journal Starters as an enrichment activity after completing a science assignment, after school or during the summer.

• Encourage your teen to come up with their own topics to observe, record and analyze in their science journal.