Inside My Project Journal
Monday, November 3, 2008 at 08:04AM 
Recently I wrote about keeping track of what’s happening in your children’s project work by keeping a project journal.
You can do this many ways; I’ve even experimented with doing it on the computer, but then I needed a way to take notes away from home and so I needed a physical notebook anyway.
As long as you are keeping track of things that happen — so you can read back, reflect, keep track of unanswered questions and not-yet-used suggestions — any kind of record should do.
Here is how I do it.
During the day (or week), I keep track of things I want to remember on Post-It notes. I try to remember to date them, so I know approximately when things happened and in what order.
At some point, I transfer my notes into my journal. (If it’s a particularly relaxing day, I transcribe them straight into my journal.)
For me, when I transcribe my notes is when I reflect on what’s happening with the project, what has already transpired and directions it may be taking, etc.
Jack is writing a blog about his project, so I print out his entries and glue them in with any notes I have.
I take photographs of him working (at home and abroad) and put those in my journal as well.
Anything that is unfinished — plans, questions, confusions, ideas — I draw a square around, so I can find them easily flipping back later. When a project begins to lose momentum, I can flip back and remind Jack of something he wanted to do but hadn’t gotten around to yet. In this way, I keep track of all the project’s possibilities. Usually, simply being reminded of his idea is enough to get him going again.
My project journal has a main purpose — keeping track of things I would otherwise forget.
I do that not just by keeping notes, but by reviewing them. If you write and write but never reflect on what you’ve written, your journal is simply dead text. It’s the process of reflection and discussion that turns the journal into a living resource.
I can help Jack remember his best ideas (they sometimes fly fast and furious), and I can help myself keep track of everything he accomplished over weeks and months of investigation.
I also use it as a tool for my own ongoing project, which is researching how he learns and how I can better support his self-direction. I read back and reflect on what I could have done better, what I might do next time, and how my behavior affected his.
As a bonus, the act of documenting your child’s learning sends a very powerful message that you think his work is important. Taking notes, taking photographs, reviewing your journal — you are creating a family (or classroom) culture that respects and rewards doing important work. Children recognize where you put your time and attention; they know that what they are doing is important enough to warrant it.
The simple act of keeping a journal is a powerful way to focus on what is significant — and maybe naming what is important to us is the first step in creating more of it.
Reader Comments (62)
It's a great record of the project. I love it,
When I post on my homeschool blog later this afternoon, I am going to link to this :) Love to you, Q
laura, thank you! lol re: not having your journal .. i feel bereft without mine. i do the exact same thing and write on absolutely anything i can find. :^)
thank you, quinne! it does help to see exactly what another person is doing, i think -- easier to see it rather than try to visualize. thank you for linking back to my post!
thanks, cristina! :^)
This was it for me... so many times I fail to go back and reflect on my thoughts and ideas.
I take lots of pictures and my kids love it when I take pictures of their art. It does put extra importance on it.
Thanks for the great post and ideas!
michelle, i am usually working when they are working, although not always! ;^) but i am also documenting their work, and they do notice it (although by now it's a given) and i know that they see it as a sign that they are doing something important.
I love reading your blog, it is really like a breath of fresh air for me. I've been waiting to find a way to integrate what I've learned to do in the early childhood world with homeschooling older kids. I am working on backing off of the structure to allow for some deeper learning. It somehow feels more risky to do this with older kids - with the little ones no one really cared about whether or not I was meeting objectives. Now I have the state of NY asking me for specifics every quarter.
In any case, I am attempting to move my journal in the direction you have shown. Thanks so much for sharing!
leisa, i know -- you know cloe just turned *seven*?!?!
kerry, thank you so much. i really appreciate that. lol re: no one caring whether the little ones met objectives -- hey, illinois has *early* learning standards, so there's no escaping benchmarks here.
we had multi-age classes through fourth grade at my school, so i am used to doing this type of work with older kids. just remember that it doesn't have to be your entire curriculum (although it certainly could be) -- and anything they accomplish during project work can be crossed off the "to do" list. you can keep a portfolio that demonstrates which benchmarks and objectives they met. you can do it! :^)
i'd be interested in hearing more about what NY requires -- think about posting in the forum! and e-mail me (or comment here, of course ;^) any time!
I love this post on the project journal. I've tried a few things over the last couple of years -I don't think I stick with one method long enough to actually feel its working. This year I've been keeping a daily notebook with everything in it- ideas, things the children say, weekly menu, reminders,drawings etc-all in place. I love the use of photo in keeping a track of your boys interests and work-I'll be using that idea. Thanks again I absolutely love your blog there is so much there-- I've been telling my HSing friends about it.