Not only are the covers of these journals creative, but my students' writing blew me away!  They really jumped into the 1840's and wrote with incredible feelings.  I actually found myself smiling, laughing, and even tearing up while reading them.  They know how to touch my heart!  We started off with the read aloud, Dear Levi:  Letters from the Overland Trail by Elvira Woodruff.  Then brainstormed hardships, friendships and things they encountered.





 I loved this one!  They got ahold of the feathers, yarn and beads that we used when making dream catchers in our Native American Unit so I allowed it.  Why not?  Creativity was busting out the seams!  This student took her booklet, folded and tied it.  It may not be the neatest or most colorful, but her description of what each thing was for was precious!