We use journals every week. I write out a "spiritual reflection" for the rotation for every workshop and post it in the room.
The shepherds are responsible to make sure that things wind up so that the children get journaling time (5 minutes). Sometimes the workshop leaders are a little put out and sometimes it is hard to stop and journal when things are rolling along well. Everyone needs to be flexible.
One of the reasons that we use journaling is that it uses that intrapersonal intelligence. Some kids like it and some don't. Some of the best reflections on what they are learning have come out of journal writing.
To make it special, each group has a different type of journal and writing/drawing utensils.
To entice the older group, 6th-8th grade, we bought the black writing tablets and gel pens. Since the younger two groups like to draw a lot, their journals are blank page notebooks and they have special markers. The middle group has hologram type notebooks and colored pencils.
Just to share one great journaling moment - a 1st grader at the beginning of the year showed me his journal during the Jacob and Esau Rotation. The question was something like "How does God talk to you in dreams?" His picture was him in bed and a tall figure (God) standing next to the bed. The greatest thing about this picture was that both of them had the biggest smiles on their faces.
Thumbs up for journaling, do not give up!
Ellen