Double Entry Journal
A double entry journal is used to reflect, remark on, and digest what you read.
Thomas Jefferson was an early practitioner of reflective journaling.
He would capture key points of his reading and add his own reflections,
then recording them in a journal which he called his “commonplace book.”
Like
Thomas Jefferson, you will be using a double entry journal as you read.
Each
page of notebook paper is divided into two columns by drawing a vertical line
down the middle of the page.
The
left-hand column is titled with the chapter number and is used to take
summarizing notes of that chapter: reading notes, direct quotations,
observational notes, lists, images, descriptions of major events, and summaries.
The
right-hand column is used to record your
personal response to the chapter. Your
responses could be questions or connections that you may have to the chapter.
The
following are some suggestions on how to begin your personal response: This
reminds me of a time when ; I agree/disagree
with
what this character did because; I think if I were in this situation I would;
I predict that…will happen; This was difficult to read or understand because;
A better solution to the problem would be; This chapter made me feel...because.
Summer reading journals will be due during the first week we return to school.