Reaction Journaling: Developing Media Literacy
What is a reaction journal?
A reaction journal is a piece of writing that captures your thoughts and feelings about
something you’ve read, seen or heard. It is an opportunity to express your opinions
freely, exercise critical thinking skills and edit your work towards perfection!
Instructions:
1. Read, listen or watch something you find interesting or something assigned by
your tutor.
2. Answer the questions in full sentences providing as much detail as possible.
3. Explain your reactions so that your reader can understand your reasoning.
Evaluation:
10 marks for ideas ( 1 mark per idea so you will need 10 in total).
10 marks for style; ( You begin with 10/10, each style error costs 1 mark ).
Proofread your work to keep 100%!
Let’s get started………..
 On a blank sheet of paper write Reaction Journal on the top and your name on the
bottom.
 On the first line write the name of what you will be reacting to.
 Answer the following questions neatly in full sentences:
1. Summarize what you have just read, seen or heard. Be sure to answer Who?
What? Why? Where? When? How?
2. What did you learn?
3. Did you like or dislike it? Why or Why not?
4. What was your favourite part? Why?
5. What part did you like the least? Why?
6. Provide as many thoughts and ideas related to this subject as you would like.
Editing your first draft
7. Have I included FIVE new vocabulary words & demonstrated their meaning?
Underline these words so they stand out.
8. Have I used different types of sentences to keep the reader interested?
9. Are any of my ideas repeated?
10. Did I check:
 Capitals?
 Punctuation: periods, exclamation marks, question marks, apostrophes,
quotation marks, commas, semi-colons?
 Spelling?
Final Step
Re-write or type your final draft.
Journal Topic
Location (Novel Chapter,
Youtube Video, Magazine,
Poem, Newspaper Article)
Date Assigned
Due the next
session
Mark for Ideas
10 marks for 10
different ideas
Mark for Style
Start with 10/10!
Each error = -1m
The videos below are YouTube Videos
Fiona the Hippo Ep.1
Fiona the Hippo Ep.2
Fiona the Hippo Ep.3
Fiona the Hippo Ep.4
Fiona the Hippo Ep.5
Fiona the Hippo Ep.6
A lion called Christian
The Whole Documentary Full
Length 45:06
6 year old kid gets huge
$100,000 offer from Shark
Tank
Kids pitch brilliant products
to the Shark Tank Tycoons
Pixar Short Film called
“Piper”
https:vimeo.com/248967449
Kevin Richardson Dangerous
Companions 51 min
A little girl loves a big
elephant. Pooja and Shanti
39:24
The Online articles below can be found by putting the name of the article
and the author into Google.
10 Reasons All Children Need
Good Manners
Scary Mommy
15 Ways to Become a Better
Person
Inc.com
The Secret Power of Play
Time Magazine
Why Parents Need to Let
Their Children Fail
The Atlantic
How to Apologize
MindTools.com
in Communication Skills
Training Tab
TED Talks: Recommended for Students By Students
TED is an organization devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful
talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology,
Entertainment and Design met, and today covers almost all topics — from science to
business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. TED is a global community,
welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the
world. TED believes passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and,
ultimately, the world. In this way, knowledge is shared globally so that we can all grow
together.
To access the TED talks listed below, simply type the name of the talk and the name of the
speaker into GOOGLE.
Looks aren’t everything.
Believe me I’m a model.
Cameron Russell
Everyday leadership
Drew Dudley
Grit: the power of passion
and perseverance
Angela Lee Duckworth
How to speak so that people
want to listen
Julian Treasure
High school stories
Casey Neistat
What adults can learn from
kids
Adora Svitak
The happy secret to better
work
Shawn Achor
Teach every child about food
Jamie Oliver
The power of believing that
you can improve
Carol Dweck
5 ways to listen better
Julian Treasure
Your brain on video games
Daphne Bavelier
The mind behind Tesla,
SpaceX, SolarCity ...
Elon Musk
Which country does the most
good for the world?
Simon Anholt
I am the son of a terrorist.
Here's how I chose peace.
Zak Ebrahim
The hidden power of smiling
Ron Gutman
How to speak up for yourself
Adam Galinsky
Teach girls bravery, not
perfection
Reshma Saujani
Why thinking you're ugly is
bad for you
Meaghan Ramsey