Our latest update on journals...we are using them about 50% of the time most rotations. It's worked really well to have the gel pens and black paper for older grades this year. Younger kids have markers and pencils and blank paper. Each of our age groups has an assigned color portfolio/folder with the journal pages already inserted at the beginning of the year. We keep journals in a rubbermaid tote along with rolls, pencils/markers, etc. and shepherd needs. For each workshop we print out a specific journal question on a computer label so there's less writing involved. Some kids really enjoy them, some do minimal work. Another advantage is that while stuffing journals at the beginning of each rotation (we also put the memory verse on a label and I go ahead and stick that in journals before the rotation starts) I get to see what the kids have written. It helps me to evaluate how things are going. We plan to give our sixth graders their completed journals from all their years in Sunday school when they graduate to jr. high -- I think it will be a neat memento of their individual faith journeys.

We're taking the summer off though. We're doing a rotation on Paul -- Summer Adventures with Paul and we're going to make small passports which will serve as our journals for summer.

Jaymie