Second Grade
Journal Expectations
Starting next week, every Monday the second graders will be completing a journal
entry. The subject for the journal is given first thing in the morning and typically
students have about 25 minutes to complete their journal. A completed journal
right now in second grade should consist of 5 stretched sentences. The first
sentence being the opening sentence, 3 detail sentences, and a closing
sentence. The opening sentence should tell the reader what they will be reading
(If I won the lottery I would want to help a lot of people.) The closing sentence
should refer back to the opening and wrap up the entire journal (Winning the
lottery would be the best thing that ever happened to me.)
If journals are sent home on Monday, it is because they were not finished in class
during the allotted time, and they need to be completed independently for
homework. Please be sure that your child brings their journal back the following
day. Keep in mind there may still be spelling, capitalization, and punctuation
errors.
In second grade we use “brave spelling.” This means that your child will be brave
when spelling words on their own. They should do their best to sound out each
word and underline the unfamiliar words. During our editing process the children
will use the dictionary to look up their brave spelling.
During each 5 day week we will be breaking down the writing process with our
class.
 Monday: Write the rough draft of the journal entry including all five detailed
sentences.
 Tuesday: Proofread and edit journals for punctuation, capitalization, word
flow, and word choice. This will include using the dictionary to look up
“brave” spelling.
 Wednesday: Proofread and edit with partners.
 Thursday-Friday: Publish final draft, and illustrate if time is allotted.
On Friday, unfinished work will be sent home to be completed and returned the
following school day.
Later in the year, our expectations for journal will become a bit more challenging.
When this happens, it will be posted on our website and another note will be sent
home.
On the back is a checklist we will be using to help edit and review journals.
YES
My opening sentence helps the
reader learn about my writing.
The body of my journal has at
least 3 detailed sentences.
My sentences are at least 7
words long.
I have used creative sentence
starters and am not repeating
too often.
My closing sentence wraps up
everything I was talking about
in my journal.
I have used capitalization and
punctuation where needed.
I have looked up my brave
spelling in the dictionary.
I have read my journal with a
partner.
NOT YET