Safia Jama: The Learning Journal

Rationale

I will assign The Learning Journal after the second paper is submitted. Students will draft it, and the final version is due near the end of the semester. That said, I think I will set a due date that is sooner if we can find the time and give that an effort grade (check/check plus/check minus) to indicate how they’re doing with it. Ideally, this assignment is something that students are thinking about and working on over an extended period. It is gratifying to read about what the students feel they are learning, so that is an added perk!
Weekly freewrites build a habit of reflection, and this assignment encourages metacognitive reflection.

Accompanying Texts

Nella Larsen’s “Passing.”

Baruch College English 2100 Professor Safia Jama

The Learning Journal

Topic: What have you learned thus far this semester? Length: 2-3 pages, double-spaced, in Times 12 point font

Be sure to do the following:

  • Get started with “At this moment…” and let your ideas flow from there (though you may move this beginning point elsewhere as you are editing).
  • Use the first person, “I,” freely, allowing room for questions, ambiguities, and emotions.
  • Focus mainly on this English course, though you are welcome to make connections to other courses and experiences, past and present.
  • Cite three quotations from three of our assigned readings.
  • Include at least one striking passage from Larsen’s Passing.
  • Quote your own freewrite or formal essay: how are these writing practices impacting your writing, and/or you?
  • Finally, include in bold three of your favorite new vocabulary words from Passing, using them in sentences of your own.This assignment will receive a letter grade.

    B+/A-/A: This learning journal is carefully edited. Moreover, it’s a thoughtful reflection, interested in ideas, with textually rich and serious responses to the coursework that evidently shows the writer is deeply invested in one’s own learning as well as the success of the classroom community. All in all, this journal is a pleasure to read and the writer is keenly aware of the reader’s experience on the page.

    B-/B: This learning journal contains several earnest reflections on one’s progress through the writing process. In addition, the writer offers adequate textual support indicating completion of assignments and attentive listening in class with a solid effort to reflect on one’s own learning. More than a few grammatical errors appear in this paper.

    C/C+: This reflection is bare bones, either because barely meet the length requirement, or because of a lack of textual support with only minimal details about the coursework this semester and only a surface discussion of texts.

    D: This paper is not complete. Make an appointment with the professor to discuss ways to improve next time.

    * Note: I have been known to also give a hybrid Check/Check Plus, for very good work that can go deeper in one or more areas, as indicated in the comment.

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