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Last Updated:
September 9, 2008

Below are examples of DEAR journal entries. The first is done in this year’s format. Although the others are a different format, you will learn what types of things I am looking for. When reading the journals, I not only make notes in my records about their reading strategies, but also about their writing skills. I use this information when conferencing with students during Independent Reading and Writer’s Workshop and when completing report cards.

The entry below shows that the student is taking time to think about what is read. She uses many different strategies and explains and supports her thinking.

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This student made predictions, but they were obvious ones. I reminded him of our lessons on thinking below the surface. He does an excellent job of clarifying a word by using one of our many “Fix It” strategies. He replaced the word with another word that still makes sense.

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This student is visualizing, a great reading strategy. I have asked him to notice what words gave him the image. This will help him read like a writer. That is, he will notice how good writers write and then use those strategies in his own writing.

Again, I ask this student to give examples of the Author’s Craft he notices (the metaphors). I always instruct and encourage my students to read like writers and write like readers.

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This student is enjoying the book and has immersed herself in the story. I can tell by sentences such as, “Okay, Count Olaf has gone way to far now.” and by her use of all capitals and underlines to emphasizes her point. When students are enthusiastic about what they read, they will improve much faster.

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