They might want to collect information discussed in the class and insert it into the journal. They can write about their daily experiences and observations or record other poets' and story writers' ideas. The idea is to encourage students to express themselves and collect ideas and information that are of interest to them. By the time students are in the middle years, many will want to draw realistically. Encourage students to use observation rather than memory if they want to draw realistically.
Students often try to draw realistically from memory, and then become frustrated with the results.
Point out to them that artists who draw very realistically use models, photographs, real objects, etc. Encourage students to do the same. Guide students in their art-making. The process of creating is often misunderstood. Teachers are afraid to guide the students too much in the fear that they may stifle creativity.