Journal Writing Topics

(on an overhead you can print and use)

Journal Topics

Week 1

Imagine that you are going to be stranded for 6 months on a deserted island in the South Pacific, and are allowed to keep only 5 objects (other than the clothing you are wearing). What would you choose? Why would you choose each item? How would each item help you to survive?
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Describe the best moment of your life in great detail. What made that event so special? Why do you remember it? Describe how you felt. Who was involved? What did you learn from it? Looking back, how has this moment changed or affected your life?
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What is the best excuse you have ever used (or heard someone else use) to explain why your homework was not finished? Describe the event in great detail. Did the excuse work? Why or why not? Feel free to create your own unique excuse!
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If you were the principal, describe 5 changes you would make to improve school. Explain why each item needs to be changed. How would these changes be put into action? Who would need to help make them happen? How would these changes affect other students, teachers, parents, or visitors to the school?
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What are 3 goals you have for the remainder of the school year? Why is each goal important? What will you learn from achieving each goal? How will you work to attain each goal – what action steps are necessary to accomplish each? Who can help you reach each goal?
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What are the top 5 places in the world you would like to visit during your lifetime? Describe each place in detail – what does it look like? What are the people like? What unique foods are there? What neat activities are there to do? How will you get there – plane, train, car? Why do you want to visit each place? What do you hope to learn by visiting each place?

Journal Topics Week 2

If you woke up in the middle of the night, and found that your house was on fire, and you only had time to grab 5 items (all of which you must be able to carry together at the same time), what would you take out of your burning house?
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Why are some friends ‘best friends’ and others are just friends or acquaintances? What characteristics are different? Why is friendship important? Why are both types of friends important? If you were in a rough situation, or going through tough times, which of your friends would you want to be there with you, and why?
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If you could meet any 3 famous people (modern day or from the past), who would you choose and why? What would you say to them, or ask them? What do you think their responses would be? Why are those persons famous – what did they do to achieve/deserve their fame?
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What dream job would you have if you could be anything you want to be? Describe your job in detail. What would be your duties? What would be your responsibilities? How much would you get paid? Why would your dream job be rewarding to you?
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If you could plan the hot lunch menu for a day, what would you have on the menu? Describe each item in detail. Use as many adjectives and adverbs and other describing phrases as possible. Why did you choose each dish? Would others agree with your choices? Why or why not?
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Describe the worst moment of your life in great detail. What made that event so awful? Why do you remember it? Describe how you felt. Who was involved? What did you learn from it? Looking back, how has this moment changed or affected your life?

Journal Topics Week 3

If you could plan your own summer vacation, what would you want to do? What would you like to see if you could go anywhere in the world? What activities would you want to do? Who would you like to travel with? Would you choose to take anyone with you? Why or why not?
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Describe an unusual dream you have had. What made it so unusual? Tell about it in great detail. Were there other people in your dream? What do you think it means? How can dreams affect us in the ‘real’ world? What can we learn about ourselves from dreams?
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Who has been your favorite teacher so far in your life? What was it that made that person your favorite? What important information did you learn from that teacher? Which teacher has been your least favorite so far? Why? Describe a few examples. How can teachers impact our lives, good or bad?
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If you won $1000 in the lottery, how would you spend the money? Would you buy items for yourself or others? Describe what would you purchase? If you donate part or all of the money, who would you like to help with such a donation? Would you invest it, or put it in the bank? What advantages or disadvantages are there in putting money away?
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Do you think students should be forced to wear uniforms to school? Why or why not? What advantages or disadvantages are there? Describe these in detail. Is it right for someone to force students to all wear the same outfit? What about your own creativity, and freedom to choose?
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Imagine you have received money to take a bicycle trip across any state in the U.S. You can take as long as you like and you can stop anywhere, but your only means of transportation is a bike. Which state would you choose? Why? Where would you stop in that state? What would you like to see? How long do you think it would take you to finish?