Create a journal to record inspiring things (at home, at school, from TV and radio programmes, etc.)

Every journal entry should have these key parts:

• Date – When did the event happen?
• Title – What is the entry about?
• Source – Where did you get the inspiration? (home, school, TV, radio)
• What inspired me – What happened or what did you see/hear?
• My thoughts and feelings – How did it make you feel?
• Reflection – What did you learn from it?

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Choose something that inspired you. It could be something at home, at school, or from a TV or radio programme.

Step 2: Write the date and give your entry a short title.

Step 3: Write where you got the idea from.

Step 4: Describe what inspired you in your own words.

Step 5: Share how you felt about it.

Step 6: Think about what you learned or how it changed your thinking.

Here is a journal entry written by a Standard Five pupil:

Date: 8th March 2025

Title: A memorable news item on a TV programme

Source: TV news about One Copy, One Pupil

What inspired me: Today, I heard the news that the government of Tanzania plans to produce enough copies so that every pupil will have a personal copy for each subject. This news greatly inspired me. It means I will have access to those books at school and home. This will improve my understanding of the subjects.

My thoughts and feelings: I was very happy to hear the news. I immediately shared it with my parents, who were also very excited.

Reflection: The news reminded me of the impact of two or three pupils sharing one copy and the importance of having a copy for each pupil.

Notice how the pupil included all the parts: date, title, source, what inspired them, their feelings, and reflection.

Think about something that inspired you recently. It could be:

• Something kind a friend or family member did
• A lesson you learned at school
• A helpful programme on TV or radio
• Something exciting that happened at home

Now write your own journal entry using the steps above. Remember to include all the parts and write in your own words.

• Write clearly so you can read it later
• Be honest about your feelings
• Write regularly to build the habit
• Keep your journal in a safe place

In Tanzania, you can use journal writing in many everyday situations. For example, if you are helping your parents sell fruits at the market in Dar es Salaam or Arusha, you could write a journal entry about a customer who was very kind, or about a new way you discovered to arrange the fruit that attracted more buyers. This helps you remember good ideas and practice your writing skills while also记录 (recording) what you learn from daily life.