On teaching fiction

Reflective Journal on

Teaching Fiction

Journal writing strategy is effective in teaching novels as it does not just make the students comply with the teacher’s requirement but also sustain their interest in the task given. I said so because in the video it was shown that the technique:

1. motivates students to express their thoughts about the text read;

2. engages them to a fascinating reading experience as they do not just read but react to what the text gives:

3. boosts their confidence where communication is concerned as they are given the chance to share what they have written with the class and to react with what has been shared to them, thus encouraging student interaction;

4. encourages the demonstration of multiple intelligences as learners are allowed to accomplish the task in any way they want and depending upon their abilities. For example, in the video, instead of writing, one student did a collage of what he has read and presented it before the class;  and

5. provides the teacher the opportunity to monitor the students’ progress of the novel they are reading and to point out their learning strengths and difficulties, thus remediation may be done depending on the students’ needs.

When I first learned journal writing as a strategy, I understood it as a writing activity only through which students can express their thoughts or insights on a selection read or on any material presented to them for that matter. Hence, I employ the strategy whenever I seek their personal thoughts or insights on something discussed in class.  Also, I usually pose a question for them to answer as I thought they need it to direct them to the ideas that I expect them to present. After watching the video, however, these notions were erased. Through it I learned very significant points such as journal writing activity lets students give their personal observation of the text read; ask questions on or related to the text; express their feelings towards any element of the selection; draw their own interpretation of the characters, setting or anything in the text; write a song or a poem related to the text.

Reference:

Reading and teaching fiction. (1998). Retrieved March 1, 2015 from

www.youtube.com.