HYDE/UROK Journaling Curriculum

To grow in character is hard work, is doable and is never too late. Character development cannot be done alone. The Hyde/UROK Journaling Curriculum offers you time to journal and share in the safe and challenging community of the classroom.

Journaling Process

Through character words, inspiring quotes and personal questions, we have an opportunity to explore and to write what’s on our minds and in our hearts. We write for ourselves, speak from our gut, let ourselves discover and capture what comes up for us in writing. This is our time to write and to be honest. Journaling connects our conscience, which is our moral compass, to our destiny.
Sharing

By sharing our responses to the journaling questions, we come to a better understanding of ourselves along with encouraging and inspiring others. Sharing connects us to a larger community. We realize we are not alone, and while each one of us is unique, we are more alike than we are different.

In sharing our journaling, we simply read what we wrote. (If there is something you are not ready to read out loud, don’t.) There also may be opportunities for others in the group to give feedback. Feedback is defined as sharing one’s own experiences. We try to relate to the person’s experience through our feeling, and respond by using feel – felt – found. For example: (“I know how you feel, I’ve felt the same way… what I’ve found is…”). We relate to the person’s experience in that way rather than giving advice.

Sharing Guidelines

◆     When in doubt, I will bet on the truth; still in doubt, I will bet on more truth.

◆     I will share from my own experiences. I know how you feel…I have felt the same way… This is what I have found.

◆     With my conscience as my guide, I will support and challenge the best from others in the group. I will let others know how I feel about them.

◆     I will try not to take comments personally. (If the shoe fits, wear it; if not, throw it away.)

◆     What goes on in this room stays in this room.

Conclusion

The power of the Hyde / UROK Journaling Curriculum comes from the courage of students and teachers to share of themselves, learn from each other, and grow.