New Twist to Morning Journals

In order to heighten the Cardinal’s Morning Journal experience, we decided to “change” the setting.  To challenge them to the next level, we changed the environment so that the Cardinals will become inspired to expand their writing and draw more detailed pictures in their journaling. Whether they’re writing their own words or not, this is a great tool that the Cardinals can use to communicate, each at his or her own developmental level.  

We want to foster an early love of writing therefore “writing” time should be relaxed and fun. During our Morning Meeting, we posed the question “If you could eat something yucky, what would it be?” We encouraged the Cardinals to think of the many yucky things they would eat and how will they draw it on their journal.

We then invited the Cardinals to find a comfortable spot anywhere in the classroom. We asked that they choose a spot where they could sit or lay down and concentrate on doing their best work....ever! We then suggested that if they’d like, we would give out a snack which they could eat as they worked. As an added relaxer, ambient music was played in the background and a scented candle was lit to which many Cardinals responded, “Ahhh! That’s nice!” Ahhh indeed! The Cardinals’ intrinsic enjoyment was certainly witnessed.