This lesson introduces Family Message Journals-a teacher-tested tool for encouraging family involvement and supporting writing to reflect and to learn. The teacher introduces journals by demonstrating the process of writing a letter. Children are then supported through the composition process until they can write messages independently. Family members are encouraged to read a student's message and write a reply. To provide a context and purpose, the messages should focus on experiences and activities in which children have participated at school. Resources to help teachers start family message journals are available at the website. (Author/ncl)