5.03 Additional Curriculum Activities & Reflective Journaling
Understand how supplemental activities and reflective journaling can support the LIA curriculum while keeping college and career readiness as the priority.
Additional Curriculum Activites
LIA teachers may bring additional activities into the curriculum when those activities support the goals of the program.
These activities should supplement the LIA curriculum and help students connect learning to real-world experiences, current events, college readiness, leadership, and service.
Optional Activites
Examples of appropriate supplemental activities include:
- Guest speakers
- Field trips to colleges or workplaces
- Activities connected to the LIA teacher's passions and strengths
- Current events impacting the community
- Lessons that address important student needs
Guest speakers should support the LIA curriculum. Teachers should follow LIA policy guidelines when inviting guest speakers to interact with students.
Should Class Time Be Used for Homework
Please avoid using LIA class time primarily as a space for students to complete homework.
While structured peer tutoring and academic support can be beneficial, the LIA curriculum contains valuable lessons that should take priority.
Teachers are encouraged to devote the majority of class time to curriculum so students can learn the skills and information needed to prepare for college, leadership, and future opportunities.
Reflective Journaling
LIA students should journal once a week. Journaling is a hallmark of the LIA program because it helps students become reflective learners and creates a safe space to practice language and communication.
Reflective journaling can support students' language development, self-awareness, and preparation for college and career readiness.
How to Use Journals
Teachers may structure journal writing in several ways:
- Use suggested journal prompts from lesson adaptations
- Create original prompts based on student needs
- Have students respond to current events
- Ask students to reflect on tutoring experiences
- Allow students to write about a topic of their choice
Students should keep their journal entries together, either in a notebook stored in the classroom or in a format they are responsible for bringing to class.
Grading journal entries is left to the teacher's discretion. Some teachers may award completion points to increase motivation without needing to read every entry.
How could reflective journaling help your students become more thoughtful, self-aware, and engaged learners?