ASK/SAY: As we’ve been learning today, life is a journey. Your journey will be different from mine based on experiences and our reactions. By a show of hands, how many of you have a journal or diary? Did you know that the word “journal” comes from the French word jour which means “day?”
Journaling is a simple way to get to know YOU and why you are the way you are. So, if you take the time to write even just a few words a day, years from now, you will be glad you did as you take time to reflect on your life. Journaling connects you by your experiences—the great and not so great.
ACTIVITY JO-1: “Five Starting Thoughts When You’re Stumped!”
SELECT one and write about it! SHARE.
HANDOUT H-1: “Some Very Good Reasons to Keep A
Journal.” (REVIEW)
SAY: So, here’s what we’ll be talking about in this module.

“WRITE ON!”
Journaling for Teens
20 minutes
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SAY: Do any of you currently have a journal or diary? How long?
Define the “what, where, and when” concepts of journaling and why you would want to journal.
Explore the key benefits of journaling and how to start.
Identify different journaling topics.
Explain creative technique of “Mind Mapping” & recording ideas
SAY: As we’ll find out today, journaling is much more than words.
ACTIVITY JO-2: “My Favorite Memory.” Let’s take 5 minutes and write about your favorite memory. SHARE.
ASK: How many of you thought of a memory without spending a lot of time thinking about it? How many took a little time in thinking of something to write about? Well …

Journaling
Learning Objectives
5 minutes
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SAY: Maybe journaling is something new for you in your life? There are many ways we can express ourselves through journaling. So what are some of the tools we need: crayons, markers, colored pencils and pens go a long way!
Journaling gives us time from a hectic day and life to think about what’s really important to us such as our relationships with family, friends, at school and other activities.
When journaling, just do it … don’t think about what to write or how to write. Write sideways, upside down, big/small letters, script or print, “in code” with colors!
SAY: As we’ll find out today, journaling is much more than just writing.
MATERIALS: Journal, pen.

What is Journaling?
10 minutes
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SAY: The University of Missouri has teamed up with an organization called “Mission Families.” Recently, they’ve been looking at the practice of journaling and “the positive outcomes it has for teens” such as an increase in self-understanding. Journaling is also appealing because of the “therapeutic” value in that it provides an “outlet” for expression. (Your journal is your friend and confidant)!
Through research, journaling has been shown to help abused children and others suffering from various disorders like anorexia, bulimia, drinking, and depression.
HANDOUT H-2 “So, Why Write?” (REVIEW)

So, Why Journal?
10 minutes
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SAY: You know, there is really no specific place or time of day to write. Just find a comfortable, peaceful place—some place where there is limited interruptions.
ASK: Can you think right now of the perfect place for you to write? Once you find the right place you can write!
When you think about a time to journal, I’d ask you two questions?
Are you more fresh and clear first thing in the morning? Are you a morning person? Or …
Do you like to reflect on what happened throughout the day? Then, your most productive time may be at night—at the end of the day. This is called REFLECTIVE journaling.

Where & When to Journal?
5 minutes
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SAY: Let’s think of journaling outside of the box. Journaling is so much more than just writing things down. We’ll look at different journaling options a little bit later.
But, right now, let’s focus on some key benefits of journaling: It’s a great way to relax, an outlet to release negative emotions, record your dreams and ideas at this time in your life. Sometimes, writing things down helps to bring clarity to our thinking if we feel overwhelmed. Who know what ideas and dreams will be birthed as a result of writing it down!
Start writing … today!
ACTIVITY:
HANDOUT:

Journaling Can Be
Fun!
5 minutes
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SAY: There are a lot of techniques about best ways to begin on your journaling quest. Free writing is an interesting technique when you don’t know where/when to start. Free writing can be a focused or unfocused/ informal way of getting your thoughts on paper. One important rule is to keep your hand moving and set a time limit … for example 5 to 10 minutes.
ACTIVITY NOTES PAGE: Let’s try it! Take out a sheet of paper. For approximately 5 minutes, I want you to write on the topic of “VACATION.” There are a couple of rules to follow:
Don’t lift your pen off the paper. (NONSTOP WRITING)!!!
Don’t correct mistakes or worry about spelling.
Can’t think of anything to say, draw a line. Then, pick back up.
Some of you may have struggled with putting words on paper. In a few moments, I’ll share a fun, creative technique which involves drawing your ideas on paper. Journaling is more than writing words on a paper. Use your creativity!!! THINK!!!
HANDOUT H-3 “15 Points to Great Journaling.” (REVIEW)
ACTIVITY:
HANDOUT:
For those teams getting all the correct answers, give them candy.

The Best Way to Begin ...
15 minutes
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SAY: Journaling does not have to be dull and boring! These examples of journal types will bring you life time memories!
Laughter Journal: FUNNY—stories, jokes, comics; incidents.
Dream Journal: Write or sketch your dreams. Write them down quickly—the average person forgets their dreams within 5 min of waking up!
Art Journal: Create a collage of places you’ve visited, trips you want to take in your lifetime. Poetry/Photo journaling begins with a thought/word—let your thoughts run wild. Take photos around the topic and include them in your journal.
Creative Journal: “Joy Journal” - Think of all the things that make you happy. List them so you’ll remember their importance.
Family Memory Journal: Great way to remember your loved ones.
Alternative Journals: Turn it into a scrapbook with ticket stubs, photos, ribbons, etc.; online journaling through AOL/Yahoo; keep a journal of your pet’s life.
ASK: What are some of YOUR ideas?

Different Journaling Topics
20 minutes
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SAY: Images, words, and lines and the three major components of mind mapping. Mind Mapping can be used for just about anything—note taking, brainstorming, writing an essay/research paper, planning vacations/family reunions.
Once you get started, DON’T GIVE UP!!!
HANDOUT H-4 “Mind Mapping Description.” (REVIEW)
ACTIVITY JO-5: “College Is For Me!” Mind Map. (SUGGESTION: Complete an example in advance).
MATERIALS: Easel paper, colored markers, paper.

Creative Mind Mapping
30 Minutes
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SAY: Now, we’ve talked a little about mind mapping and how we might use it. Let’s talk about a few simple rules to follow. (NOTE: Really, you can start wherever you’d like, but these are textbook examples).
1)Word or image in center. Start here (Seems like a good place).
2)Let go! Think of a fun way to generate ideas.
3)Free association. Put ideas on branches as suggested. (Don’t discuss or evaluate it).
4)THINK quickly. Record ideas as quickly as possible.
5)THINK outside 8 1/2x11. Use large paper, markers, crayons.
6)Don’t judge. Put down everything even if unrelated.
7)Don’t stop. Move around. Stand up. Draw empty lines for later.
8)Organize later. Look for similarities now and organize later.
SAY: Develop your own style of Mind Mapping that makes sense to you. HAPPY MAPPING!!!

Eight Rules of
Mind Mapping
30 Minutes
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SAY: True journaling is a gift you give to yourself— a gift of real emotional healing. In its purest sense, it’s therapeutic. Journaling is a gift that is deliberate and involves willful action. Through the art of journaling you can clear your mind and release negative and frustrations.
ASK: Do you hold the gift of writing in your hands? If so, will you write and hold onto it or give this gift to others so they can be encouraged and uplifted?
SAY: Be willing to share your joys, your fears, your memories, your dreams, your prayers, and your thoughts with others. The gift of writing is meant to be given away as others can grow and learn through your life’s experiences.

Journaling is a Gift
5 Minutes
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SAY: We’ve certainly had a full session today. Let’s take a moment to review what we’ve talked about today.
REVIEW: POST Test and emphasize the important points.
COMPLIMENT: If there are things they did EXCEPTIONALLY well, tell them.
HANDOUTS: POST-Test, Evaluation, Personal Action Sheets.
REMIND THEM OF NEXT WEEK’S TOPIC … .
_____ R-4 “Do Something Kind for Others Project”
_____ Complete “MY Personal Action Plan”

Wrap It Up … The END!
15 minutes
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