Explorer's Journal

Explorer’s Journal

Assigned: April 30, 2012

Due:  May 4, 2012

Imagine that you are working aboard a ship that is sailing from Europe to the west, across the Atlantic Ocean, in search of new land, riches, and more.  You are working on the ship in a position that you will apply for in our classroom this week.  For example, some of you will be carpenters, sailmakers, musicians, cooks, captains, or even doctors. 

Instead of writing in your Reader’s Response Journal this week, create two journal entries for your voyage.  Each entry must be at least one page long (skipped lines) and must be done completely by you (just like with your journal entries, this must be your own work!).

A ship’s log or diary was a journal of the trip.  It could include mathematical and scientific information such as the date, distance traveled, landmarks sighted, weather conditions, and time line of travel.  It could also include personal information such as activities taking place on the ship, the emotions of the travelers, the health of the sailors and more.  Much like a person’s own diary today, it could include any information that the writer felt was important enough to record for safekeeping.

You may write your entries on standard notebook paper or any paper that you think would be appropriate for this situation.  As you are writing, remember what your role or job is aboard the ship.  Remember to include some details that are specifically related to that role.  For example, the doctor’s entry will include some information about his or her role as a doctor while the musician’s role will include information about being a musician.

As with all writing assignments, please edit your work when done.  Also, this must be your own work.  You are welcome to share your journal with your parents when you are done but you – not they – should be the writer and editor!

Be creative and have fun with this assignment.  You may include sketches with your entries if you desire.  I look forward to sharing these with each other on Friday in class.

Ms. Coffman