Learning+Logs

//**by Caroline Dela Victoria**//
==//**Learning Logs: Writing to Learn**// == ====Learning Logs are used for students' reflections on the material they are learning. In the log, students record the process they go through in learning something new, and any questions they may need to have clarified. This allows students to make connections to what they have learned, set goals, and reflect upon their learning process. The act of writing about thinking helps students become deeper thinkers and better writers. Teachers and students can use Learning Logs as classroom assessment for learning, as students record what they are learning and the questions they still have, and teachers monitor student progress toward mastery of the learning targets in their log entries. By reading student logs and delivering descriptive feedback on what the student is doing well and suggestions for improvement, the teacher can make the Learning Log a powerful tool for learning. Teachers should give some time in class for students to complete their learning logs--this will help them use them conscientiously. ====

//**Learning Logs...** //
> >
 * ==== allow for individualism ====
 * ====allow the teacher to "see" the inside world of the child; thinking processes ====
 * ====may encourage peer communication and sharing ====
 * ====are driven by the child and NOT the teacher ====
 * ====are lots of fun! ====

//**When to use Learning Logs** //
Learning Logs can include problem-solving entries from mathematics or science, observations from lab experiments, questions about lectures or readings, lists of books students have read or would like to read and homework assignments. 

Writing prompts that could be used to guide students in making thoughtful entries in their learning logs:
 * ====The most important thing I learned this week was... ====
 * ====What I found most interesting today was... ====
 * ====What I enjoyed most about today was... ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">One thing that still puzzles me is... ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">What I need help with is... ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Today might have been more helpful for me if... ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Draw a picture of the concept you learned today. ====

<span style="color: #0e08c6; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//**Learning Log Adaptations**//

 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">__Writing about Mathematics__ - you can have students create a math problem for themselves or their peers to solve
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">__Writing about History__ - you can give a writing prompt to students and have them imagine themselves as a particular character in history; imagine how they would feel to live back in that time
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">__Focused Writing__ - you can give students a particular subject or goal to write about; students can have the freedom to write about the topic in any fashion such as poetry or story-telling

<span style="color: #0e08c6; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//**Learning Log Resources**//
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGsiWprN9bE-

[|Watch my Learning Logs video!]