Learning Logs

The following questions could be used to guide students in making thoughtful entries in their learning logs:
1. What did I do in class today?
2. What did I learn?
3. What did I find interesting?
4. What questions do I have about what I learned?
5. What was the point of today's lesson?
6. What connections did I make to previous ideas of lessons?

A few suggested learning log topics:
1. Writing about Mathematics
Students write an explanation to another student of how to do a math problem. They should include the why of the solution as well as the how.
2. Writing about History
Students place themselves in a historical period or event and write about it from the point of view of someone who is there. In their responses, students focus on the what, where, why, how, when, and what if. Or students write a dialogue between themselves and a historical personage, focusing on the same details.
3. Focused Writing
Focused writing is an excellent way to begin a collaborative session. Students write non-stop for five minutes on a specific topic they are studying. The purpose is for students to find out what they know about the topic, to explore new ideas, and to find out what they need to learn about the topic.