Title: Exploring the World: Creating a Travel Journal

Grade Level: 6th Grade

Subject: Language Arts

Duration: 5-6 class periods

Objective: - Students will learn about the purpose and components of a travel journal. - Students will practice descriptive writing skills by creating their own travel journal entries. - Students will develop their research skills by gathering information about a chosen travel destination. - Students will enhance their creativity and critical thinking skills by designing and illustrating their travel journal entries.

Materials: - Travel magazines, brochures, or online resources - Writing materials (pens, pencils, markers, etc.) - Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, etc.) - Construction paper or blank notebooks - Access to computers or tablets for research

Procedure:

Day 1: 1. Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of a travel journal. Ask students if they have ever kept a journal or diary before and what the purpose of it was. 2. Explain that a travel journal is a personal record of a person’s experiences, thoughts, and observations during their travels. It can include descriptions, sketches, photographs, and other mementos. 3. Show examples of travel journals or travel journal entries to give students an idea of what they can create. 4. Discuss the importance of descriptive writing in a travel journal and how it helps to capture the essence of a place. 5. Assign each student a travel destination (real or imaginary) and provide them with travel magazines, brochures, or online resources to research and gather information about their chosen destination.

Day 2: 1. Review the purpose and components of a travel journal. 2. Instruct students to write a draft of their first travel journal entry, focusing on describing the destination they researched. Encourage them to use sensory details, vivid language, and their imagination to bring the place to life. 3. After completing their drafts, have students peer-edit and provide feedback to each other.

Day 3: 1. Review the feedback received from peers and make necessary revisions to their travel journal entries. 2. Introduce the concept of illustrations in a travel journal. Discuss how illustrations can enhance the reader’s understanding and visualization of the place being described. 3. Instruct students to create illustrations or sketches to accompany their travel journal entries. They can use colored pencils, markers, or any other art supplies available.

Day 4: 1. Review the revised travel journal entries and illustrations. 2. Instruct students to transfer their entries and illustrations onto construction paper or blank notebooks, creating their own personalized travel journals. 3. Allow students time to decorate the covers of their travel journals using art supplies.

Day 5: 1. Provide time for students to share their travel journals with the class. Encourage them to read aloud their favorite entry and explain their illustrations. 2. Facilitate a class discussion on the different travel destinations and the unique aspects of each student’s journal. 3. Conclude the lesson by emphasizing the importance of documenting experiences and the power of descriptive writing and illustrations in capturing memories.

Assessment: - Participation in class discussions and activities - Completion and quality of travel journal entries - Creativity and effort put into illustrations - Peer feedback and revisions made to travel journal entries