Dear Diary...

I chose to create a safe place where Emily and I could work and explore together.
In terms of the Block...a learning journal.
In terms of a Fourth grader...a diary.

This journal was geared towards being a place where Emily and I could communicate about anything she wanted.  I also made Emily aware that there might be some times where I would have to share some of the information I found to her mom.
She was accepting and understanding of this.
And so our journey began.

My goal and approach to the journal was simple.
I wanted to start out with more personal entries:
-getting to know each other better
-understanding her thinking perspective
-the things that are her favorites
-what family means to her
-what she wishes and dreams for

Then move to more curriculum based entries.
Following the California State Standards for Third grade, I would cover basic content areas that she should be capable of in:
-Mathematics
-Science
-Language Arts
-Social Studies

After this, I wanted to switch back to more personal entries.
This area in the journal would be more of a time where Emily and I could sit down and speak verbally, as well as through the pages of the journal.
This would also be the area in the journal where I would introduce art based entries, if she was willing.

There were several sessions throughout the course of the study and I feel that because the journal is a representation of who Emily is, (including her likes, dislikes, emotions, and feelings) that everything within the journal can be considered relevant data.
Throughout our time together I have gathered:
- physical data through the journal
-verbal data through conversation with Emily
-verbal data through conversation with the mother
-observations through time spent with my partner

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is a process; working together is success."
-Anonymous