The author examines the benefits of journaling in his fifth‐grade classroom. Reviewing student journal data from the past 25 years, he shares an effective method for preparing a classroom for daily journaling, one that minimizes teacher‐issued prompts and implements procedures for sharing and reflecting. Positive effects include insights into students’ feelings, beliefs, values, and attitudes, as well as an examination of how effective practice motivates students to write, which in turn improves their composition skills.