Literacy Strategy
#23 Learning Logs
Grade Levels
- PreK -- Grade 2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 6-8
Learning Logs
- Learning logs are a part of a thematic unit.
- They are notebooks or booklets of paper in which student record information on what they are learning.
- Examples: like writing questions, summaries, reflections about learning, charts and diagrams.
- The emphasis is on using writing as a learning tool rather than on creating polished products.
Why Use Learning Logs
- Students use learning logs as a tool for learning.
- Students can practice using new and technical vocabulary, explore new ideas, and personalize their learning when using learning logs.
- Teachers can monitor students' learning logs so they can see how well the student understand the big idas and what confusions they might have.
How To Use Learning Logs
- Learning Logs are constructed at the beginning of a thematic unit and then make entries in the logs during the unit.
Procedure
- Prepare learning logs: at the beginning of a unit, students make a learning log using both lined and unlined paper that is stapled together like a book with laminated construction paper covers.
- Use learning logs: Students can take notes, draw diagrams, write vocabulary words, quick writes, and summaries.
- Monitor student's entries: The teacher reads the students' logs, answers any of their questions and clarifies confusion.
- Write reflections: At the end of the unit, the students review their entries and then write a reflection about what they learned.
When To Use Learning Logs
- Students use learning logs to take notes and respond to information that they are learning when reading a nonfiction book and a chapter in content-area textbooks.
- Learning logs are also used for making data charts, clusters, maps, time lines, and other diagrams.
- Learning logs can be used in math, science, and social studies as well