Visons and Goals

There are different types of journals as well as different types of journaling exercises.

On Tuesdays at Girls and Boys of Character, we have Visions and Goals Day.

During this time discuss their visions for their lives as well as assist them with goal planning.

We also take this time to build their vocabulary by listing a group of words, challenging them to search their definitions.  And then we increase the challenge with asking them to create short stories with their newly found words.

To continue to make these sessions fun and challenging we have incorporated motivational stickers.

Each Mentee selects a sticker.  The key to this is that the stickers are turned over, so they have no clue what the motivational saying is.

They then place the sticker on a journal page, and they must write what the motivational saying means to them.

Some of their writings are so thrilling to read!  It is amazing how it boosts their confidence levels.

Here’s some of the benefits of this exercise:

1.       It stirs up their creativity.
2.       It builds their vocabulary; this increases their communication skills.
3.       The excitement of hearing what their friends write creates an environment of laughter and inclusion.

If Not Challenged

We’ve noticed that if we don’t set an expectation, they will give us the minimal.

This is how we addressed that.  They must write at least a four-sentence paragraph. 

They cannot create short lists.

Once they submit their journal page, we address areas they need to concentrate on, such as grammar, punctuation, etc.

We also ask additional questions to cause them to take their writing up a notch. 

What we’ve noticed is that they are more open to correction, and this increases their willingness to ask for help.

With their permission, they have agreed to let us share their journal entries.