Understanding Seventh Graders Through Journal Prompts

50 Journal Prompts For 7th Graders

What secrets lie within the minds of seventh graders? Clara Penrose’s innovative journal prompts unlock the doors to the emotional worlds of young teens. Join us as we explore their everyday routines, the figures who inspire them, and their dreams for the future. Through their written reflections, we gain invaluable insights into their joys, struggles, and aspirations. Discover how these simple exercises in journaling reveal profound truths about their self-awareness and emotional intelligence, offering a compelling look into the lives of the next generation.

In another enlightening segment, we dissect the intricate web of seventh-grade friendships and relationships. With a special focus on conflict resolution, we reflect on how today's youth might be uniquely equipped to handle disagreements and form unexpected bonds in our social media-driven world. Learn about the lessons they teach us on communication, forgiveness, and openness to new friendships. This episode serves as a heartfelt guide to understanding the challenges young teens face and how we can support their emotional growth and development. Join us for an eye-opening discussion that bridges generational gaps and fosters deeper connections.

LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.

For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ever feel like.
You know, trying to understandthe next generation is like
reading a foreign language.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
Yeah, like you're missing the dictionary or
something.

Speaker 1 (00:09):
Totally, but maybe today's deep dive can be our
Rosetta Stone.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
Ooh, I like that.

Speaker 1 (00:14):
Because we are diving into the minds of seventh
graders.

Speaker 2 (00:18):
No way, that's awesome.
What are we looking at?

Speaker 1 (00:20):
It's called 50 Journal Prompts for Seventh
Graders Journal prompts.
Okay, so how does that unlockanything?

Speaker 2 (00:27):
Exactly, but it's by this amazing educator, clara
Penrose, and it's about gettingthem to like really open up, you
know.

Speaker 1 (00:34):
Oh, I see.

Speaker 2 (00:35):
Hopes, dreams, anxieties, the stuff we don't
always hear.

Speaker 1 (00:40):
That's gold, Especially at that age.
So much is changing.

Speaker 2 (00:43):
Exactly so.
The article starts off talkingabout journaling benefits, which
you know, we get it.
But let's jump to the goodstuff, the actual plumps.

Speaker 1 (00:51):
Okay, let's hear them .
So they're divided intocategories and the first one is
daily life.
Sounds kind of basic yeah, kindof, but deceptively so, because
take the first prompt rightDescribe a typical day in your
life, like, okay, we all haveroutines, but at that age, we're
starting to make their ownchoices.
Yes, it's not just mom sayingtime for bed, it's like they're

(01:11):
directing their own littledocumentary.

Speaker 2 (01:14):
Ooh, I love that analogy.

Speaker 1 (01:15):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:15):
What makes the final cut?
That's telling.

Speaker 1 (01:17):
Right, no one's including the boring bits, so
what they choose to highlight,even unconsciously, that's where
it gets interesting.

Speaker 2 (01:25):
So true Like is it time with friends Family dinner.

Speaker 1 (01:29):
That one awesome teacher.
Yes, it's a peek into theirworld, what matters most to them
.

Speaker 2 (01:34):
Okay, I'm hooked already.
What's next?

Speaker 1 (01:36):
All right, get ready for prompt number five, because
this is where it gets juicy.
Right, write about a person inyour life who inspires you.

Speaker 2 (01:42):
Oh, that's a good one .

Speaker 1 (01:43):
Right, because who are these role models shaping
young minds?

Speaker 2 (01:47):
Exactly.
Is it, like you know, thetypical pop stars and athletes,
or is it something more?

Speaker 1 (01:52):
That's what's so fascinating.
We're talking about thequalities they admire kindness,
resilience, maybe a wicked senseof humor.

Speaker 2 (02:00):
Oh yeah, Seventh grade humor can be a trip, but
seriously the qualities they'redrawn to.

Speaker 1 (02:06):
that tells us something about their generation
.

Speaker 2 (02:08):
Oh, absolutely Like if they're all about climate
change activists.
That speaks volumes.

Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yes, it's a window into the future they want to
create and, speaking of thefuture, prompt 10.
Imagine your life 10 years fromnow.

Speaker 2 (02:20):
Whoa crystal ball time.

Speaker 1 (02:22):
Right 10 years I was barely surviving high school.

Speaker 2 (02:24):
Me too.
Yeah, I can't even imaginethinking that far ahead.
But they are envisioning it andthat's what blows my mind and
those visions.
They influence the choices theymake today.
That is so true.
It's like setting thoselong-term goals, even
subconsciously.

Speaker 1 (02:37):
Exactly?
Are they dreaming of careers wehaven't even imagined yet?
Are traditional paths losingtheir appeal?
So many questions?
Haven't even imagined yet.
Are traditional pads losingtheir appeal?
So many questions, I know right, this is way deeper than I
expected.
We've gone from daily routinesto 10-year plans.
It's like a crash course in theseventh grade psyche.

Speaker 2 (02:54):
When we're just getting started right, oh yeah.

Speaker 1 (03:02):
Next category dives into something even more
personal emotions and prompt.
One in that section is describea time when you felt really
happy oh, I love this one.

Speaker 2 (03:09):
It's all about those pure, unadulterated joys right
remember those what do?

Speaker 1 (03:14):
you think, brings a seventh grader bliss these days.

Speaker 2 (03:16):
Well, I was gonna say it's interesting you use the
word pure Because it really isabout that subjective experience
of happiness.
It's not about checking offboxes or achieving some societal
standard.

Speaker 1 (03:26):
That's a good point.
It's about those moments thatreally resonate, no matter how
small.
Which makes me wonder, thoughare there happy moments?
More about experiences now,less about material things?

Speaker 2 (03:39):
That's a really good question and it's something
researchers are actuallyexploring.
This generation is growing updigitally native.
Their social connections aredifferent.

Speaker 1 (03:46):
So many factors?
Okay, well, while we're on thetopic of warm fuzzies, prompt
six throws us a curveball.

Speaker 2 (03:53):
Oh no, what is it?

Speaker 1 (03:54):
Think about a time when you were really angry.
Time to get real.

Speaker 2 (03:58):
Oh, wow, yeah, seventh grade anger is a whole
other beast.

Speaker 1 (04:01):
Tell me about it.
But seriously, this promptencourages them to actually
process that anger in a healthyway.

Speaker 2 (04:07):
That's so important.

Speaker 1 (04:08):
Right To identify those triggers, develop coping
mechanisms.
It's like building emotionalintelligence early on, which,
let's be honest, is somethingeven WE adults are still working
on.

Speaker 2 (04:19):
Oh, 100%.
Seeing how they tackle it atthat age is fascinating.

Speaker 1 (04:23):
Totally, and it really speaks to the power of
journaling itself, you know,providing that safe space for
exploration, even when it comesto tough emotions.

Speaker 2 (04:32):
Absolutely Everyone needs an outlet.

Speaker 1 (04:34):
This is making me realize I haven't journaled in
ages.
Maybe I need to steal some ofthese prompts.

Speaker 2 (04:39):
I highly recommend it .
But first let's get back tothose prompts.

Speaker 1 (04:42):
Oh yeah, we were on a roll.

Speaker 2 (04:43):
We were Okay, so prompt 10 in the emotions and
feelings category is a good one.
It says describe a moment whenyou felt very calm and at peace.

Speaker 1 (04:54):
Oh, I love that it's so easy to get caught up in the
hustle and bustle, even inseventh grade.
Like, what do you think bringsthem that sense of peace?

Speaker 2 (05:00):
Right.

Speaker 1 (05:04):
Is sense of peace Right?
Is it just like chilling with agood book or something more?
Or is it about unplugging from?

Speaker 2 (05:07):
the digital world completely.
Ooh, good point.
That's a huge factor for thisgeneration, totally.

Speaker 1 (05:12):
Okay, ready to switch gears a bit.
We're onto school and learningwhich, let's be real, can be its
own emotional roller coaster.

Speaker 2 (05:20):
Oh, tell me about it.
The memories are coming backalready.

Speaker 1 (05:22):
Right and prompt one takes us straight to the heart
of it.
Write about your favoritesubject in school.
Seems simple enough, but Ithink there's more to it than
meets the eye.

Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah, it's not just about naming the subject, it's
about the why.

Speaker 1 (05:35):
Exactly what is it about that subject that really
speaks to them, that makes itcome alive?

Speaker 2 (05:41):
Totally.
We're looking for those littlenuggets of passion, those hints
of what might spark a lifelonglove of learning.

Speaker 1 (05:48):
I love that.
And speaking of sparking a loveof learning, let's talk about
those subjects that don't comeso easily.

Speaker 2 (05:54):
Those are the best right.

Speaker 1 (05:56):
Said no one ever.

Speaker 2 (05:57):
Right, but prompt two .
Tackles this head on.
Describe a time when youstruggled with a subject.
We've all been there.

Speaker 1 (06:04):
Oh, absolutely, who hasn't?

Speaker 2 (06:06):
But this prompt normalizes those struggles right
.
It's not about being perfect.

Speaker 1 (06:10):
It's about growth.

Speaker 2 (06:11):
Exactly, yeah.
And about building thatresilience early on.

Speaker 1 (06:15):
Because you're going to face challenges, no matter
what.

Speaker 2 (06:16):
Exactly Figuring out how to ask for help, how to
advocate for yourself.

Speaker 1 (06:21):
Life skills.

Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yes, and it also reveals a lot about their
learning style.
Do they double down on studying?
Seek help from peers?
So interesting, so manydifferent approaches.
Okay, one last prompt from thiscategory, and it's a classic
Describe your best friend atschool.

Speaker 1 (06:38):
Ooh, seventh grade friendships.
A whole other world Right, andthis prompt gives us a glimpse
into that world.
What qualities do they value intheir friends?
Loyalty, shared humor.

Speaker 2 (06:50):
That's a big one, someone who gets their jokes.

Speaker 1 (06:52):
Absolutely.
I bet we'd see some commonthreads with our own experiences
at that age, that need forconnection, for someone who gets
you.

Speaker 2 (07:00):
It's timeless.

Speaker 1 (07:01):
Totally, and while the ways they connect might be
different these days, withsocial media and all, so true.
Those core desires, thoseremain the same.

Speaker 2 (07:09):
Definitely Speaking of connections.
Our final category delves evendeeper into friendships and
relationships.

Speaker 1 (07:16):
Ooh, bring it on.
This is getting good.
What hidden gems are weuncovering here?

Speaker 2 (07:20):
Well, get ready for some serious wisdom, because
prompt one jumps right into thedeep end.

Speaker 1 (07:25):
Think about a time when you had a disagreement with
a friend.
How did you resolve it and whatdid you learn from the
experience?
Ooh, conflict resolution.
Seventh grade is like a crashcourse in that right.

Speaker 2 (07:36):
Tell me about it.
I'm suddenly remembering allthose fights over like nothing.

Speaker 1 (07:40):
Oh, I know who stole whose crush, who got invited to
what party.

Speaker 2 (07:44):
And those were like life or death situations.

Speaker 1 (07:47):
Totally but seriously , this prompt is gold.
It's about understandingdifferent perspectives, learning
to communicate.

Speaker 2 (07:54):
And maybe even forgive and move on.

Speaker 1 (07:55):
Exactly, and it makes you wonder are they better
equipped for those toughconversations than we were at
that?

Speaker 2 (08:02):
age Right With all the social media stuff.
Maybe they're actually moreused to navigating conflict from
a distance.

Speaker 1 (08:07):
Hmm, that's an interesting thought.
Okay, last prompt, and it's agood one, write about a time
when you made a new friend in anunexpected place.

Speaker 2 (08:15):
Oh, I love that.
It's all about being open tonew possibilities, right.

Speaker 1 (08:19):
Totally Like.
You never know where you'llfind a kindred spirit.
Could be at the library, couldbe at the grocery store.

Speaker 2 (08:24):
Or even online.

Speaker 1 (08:25):
True, maybe seventh graders are onto something with
this whole open-mindedness thing.

Speaker 2 (08:31):
I think so.
It's a good reminder for all ofus to be a little more open to
new connections.

Speaker 1 (08:36):
Couldn't agree more.
You know, this whole deep divehas been fascinating.
I really thought it was justgoing to be about like
journaling prompts, but it's somuch more than that.

Speaker 2 (08:45):
Right, we've uncovered some serious insights
here.

Speaker 1 (08:48):
It's like a window into the way they see the world,
their hopes, their fears, theirdreams.

Speaker 2 (08:53):
And their struggles.
Let's not forget those.

Speaker 1 (08:55):
Oh, their dreams and their struggles.
Let's not forget those, oh forsure.
But by understanding all ofthat, we get a glimpse into the
future they're building.

Speaker 2 (09:01):
Absolutely.

Speaker 1 (09:01):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (09:02):
And, hopefully, a better understanding of how to
support them along the way.

Speaker 1 (09:05):
Didn't have said it better myself.
Well, on that note, we'll leaveyou with this final thought
what can WE learn from theseventh graders in our lives?
Not just about them, but about.