For Your Journal: Writing Prompt
Do you keep a journal – or wish you could get one started? Literary Mama wants to help.
Three times a month, I’ll post a writing prompt. Open a notebook and write for 10 minutes. Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation – just write. Then let the writing simmer and your mind wander for awhile.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a character for your next short story or a theme for a narrative essay. Or maybe you’ll use the idea to create a special holiday card or photo album for someone in your family. However you decide to use your journal entry, I know you’ll enjoy re-reading it months–and years–down the road.
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Consider these comments about how to talk with children about news events.
“Age-appropriate conversations about news-related issues keep children interested in and informed about the world. The topics can (and should) vary. It’s important to discuss fun news events — like who won the World Series — as well as the more serious topics. One of my favorite teachers used to ask her kindergarten class every week if anyone had heard any issues on the news they wanted to talk about. But she wouldn’t just focus on the horrible things; she would talk about the weather, sports events, and movies too.”
~~ Diane Levin, Professor of Education at Wheelock College, pbsparents.org
“No matter what the subject or issue, we have always tried to follow the same principles: ignorance is not bliss; ignorance is dangerous. And wherever you see bad stuff happening, you see good people trying to make it better.”
~~ Linda Ellerbee, Nick News, referring to the September 2011 broadcast which reported on “9/11 For Kids Too Young to Remember”
“Our mission is to inform, educate and inspire by making news relevant and engaging for young people and sparking discussion around the important issues impacting youth today.”
~~ Channel One News, Who Are We?
Journal Entry: Write about a conversation you had with your child about the day’s news. Incorporate as much of the actual dialogue as possible.