Activity: This is a week-long activity, one or two prompts per day. Begin by reviewing the story “My Diary from Here to There” with a focus on the value of journaling as a safe way to express and explore both positive and more difficult emotions, such as fear and worry. Prompts are given and a word wall is accessible to students as they create and write in their journals. They are invited to share their entries with their classmates, but it’s not a requirement. Materials needed: Notebooks or paper (both lined and blank) for making journals; materials for decorating and writing and drawing; a word wall with vocabulary that fits this activity: afraid, fears, worry, calm, happy, unafraid, etc. Directions: Re-read the story “My Diary from Here to There” or just review it. Explain that students will create a journal with entries about specific topics. They will be given prompts and will respond to the prompts with words and illustrations (optional). Explain how writing about our feelings can help us deal with our fears and anxieties and will also help us remember the times when we’ve been successful at overcoming a difficulty. Tell them to write at least a paragraph for each prompt, and after that they can make an illustration that goes with the prompt. The journals will be confidential, but students will be invited to share what they wrote if they want. Prompts: Do one or two each day. Before they start writing, guide a discussion on the prompt, ask for suggestions from students, and give them some ideas. Assist any students who get stuck. Explain that it’s important to be honest and not criticize yourself when you are writing - it’s okay to have fears and worries, and writing about them will help. Point out the word wall and tell them to let you know if they want you to add words to it.

Describe a place where you feel happy and safe. How does that place make you feel unafraid and calm?
Describe a time when you were worried. What happened and where in your body did you feel that worry - stomach, chest, throat?
Write about your strengths, what you like to do, what skills you have. Describe how it makes you feel when you remember your strengths.
Everyone has fears. Describe your fears ( spiders, heights, the dark, etc) and how those fears affect you - do they keep you from doing things you’d like to do?
What do you do to calm your fears?
Write three positive statements you could say to yourself when feeling afraid. If you can’t think of anything, what song could you sing that will help you feel courageous? Write some of the lyrics in the song in your journal.

Wrap-up: Explain that the purpose of this activity is to learn about our fears and worries by journaling. As we understand what makes us afraid or nervous, we can take action to become less afraid, less nervous. Journaling can also help us prepare to talk about what bothers us with our parents or a trusted adult, a teacher, coach, or grandparent.

Courage · Activity

My Diary From Here to There

3rd & 4th Grade

Describe a place where you feel happy and safe. How does that place make you feel unafraid and calm?
Describe a time when you were worried. What happened and where in your body did you feel that worry - stomach, chest, throat?
Write about your strengths, what you like to do, what skills you have. Describe how it makes you feel when you remember your strengths.
Everyone has fears. Describe your fears ( spiders, heights, the dark, etc) and how those fears affect you - do they keep you from doing things you’d like to do?
What do you do to calm your fears?
Write three positive statements you could say to yourself when feeling afraid. If you can’t think of anything, what song could you sing that will help you feel courageous? Write some of the lyrics in the song in your journal.

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