Writing Tip #10- Revising and Editing
by Bruce Cabell
Teacher/Writer/Author/Educreator
Revising and Editing can be difficult skills to understand during the writing process. In addition, it can be laborious for many young writers. Before your children attempt to revise and edit, model numerous times.
Note: It's best to revise and edit over a number of days. You're not required to finish in one single lesson or sitting. Remember, revising and editing takes stamina, patience, and practice. You'll reap the benefits if you model slowly and methodically over a longer period of time.
After your children have written a rough draft, follow the steps below to support revising and editing:
1) First, begin with the skill of revising. Teach your children that "Revising Is An Art."This tool will help them understand the writing process step. PLEASE SEE "REVISING IS AN ART" ORGANIZER IN PDF FORMAT.
A dd additional information, details, and stronger words to hook your reader.
R earrange words, phrases, and sentences so your writing is clear and in order.
T ake out words, phrases, and sentences that are not needed in your writing.
2) Next, revise a piece of your writing. Have the following tools available:
highlighters
markers
colored pencils
child's dictionary
child's thesaurus
Reread each sentence aloud. Track each word with a pointer or finger. Ask yourself the following questions:
a) Did I use precise adjectives and action verbs in my writing?
b) Did I include enough details and information for my readers?
c) How could I say this differently?
d) Did I write complete sentences?
e) Are my ideas clear and in order?
3) Then, using a marker or colored pencil, write the symbol "R" (revise) and circle it at the point where an error occurred or where a revision needs to be made. Make the correction and continue to do a few more examples. Model and revise throughout the week until you're done. PLEASE SEE REVISING EXAMPLES IN PDF FORMAT.
Note: Make sure your children follow the same routine as they begin to revise their writing.
4) When your children begin to revise, each one should have their own bag of writing tools. Conference with each for 10-15 minutes (you decide how long). Continue to conference with your children throughout the week until you're done.
5) Now, model how to edit your writing. Share that editing is capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar. When you reread your writing a second time, ask yourself the following questions:
a) Does each sentence begin with a capital letter and end with correct punctuation?
b) Is any word misspelled?
c) Does this sentence sound right to me?
6) Again, using a marker or colored pencil, use an editing symbol below and circle it at the point where an error occurred and then fix it.
Editing Symbols:
"P " P. P! P? = Punctuation
G = Grammar
C = Capitalization
S = Spelling
7) Again, follow the same format as above when conferencing. Continue to conference throughout the week until you're done.
8) We've come to the final step of the writing process. Model how to publish your writing. Emphasize your best handwriting or show how to type it on the computer. Make sure your writing is written correctly and easy to read. Give it a title to make it more interesting!
9) Last, when your children have published their writing, celebrate with an Author's Tea or with Buddy Writers. Hang their writing for everyone to view.
Bruce Cabell is a teacher, writer, author, and educreator. He was a classroom teacher for over 27 years. He taught kindergarten, first, and third grade in Connecticut. Bruce has mentored numerous young teachers as well as modeled many writing strategies and skills for classroom teachers. His passion for writing has resulted in his first published creation, Writing Organizer Fold-Outs for grades 2-5. Visit Creative Teaching Press at www.creativeteaching.com to view these wonderful all-in-one writing tools.
In addition, to learn more about Bruce visit him on LinkedIn… https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=262989552&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Last, visit his new website at http://www.thewritingguy.branded.me/
by Bruce Cabell
Teacher/Writer/Author/Educreator
Revising and Editing can be difficult skills to understand during the writing process. In addition, it can be laborious for many young writers. Before your children attempt to revise and edit, model numerous times.
Note: It's best to revise and edit over a number of days. You're not required to finish in one single lesson or sitting. Remember, revising and editing takes stamina, patience, and practice. You'll reap the benefits if you model slowly and methodically over a longer period of time.
After your children have written a rough draft, follow the steps below to support revising and editing:
1) First, begin with the skill of revising. Teach your children that "Revising Is An Art."This tool will help them understand the writing process step. PLEASE SEE "REVISING IS AN ART" ORGANIZER IN PDF FORMAT.
A dd additional information, details, and stronger words to hook your reader.
R earrange words, phrases, and sentences so your writing is clear and in order.
T ake out words, phrases, and sentences that are not needed in your writing.
2) Next, revise a piece of your writing. Have the following tools available:
highlighters
markers
colored pencils
child's dictionary
child's thesaurus
Reread each sentence aloud. Track each word with a pointer or finger. Ask yourself the following questions:
a) Did I use precise adjectives and action verbs in my writing?
b) Did I include enough details and information for my readers?
c) How could I say this differently?
d) Did I write complete sentences?
e) Are my ideas clear and in order?
3) Then, using a marker or colored pencil, write the symbol "R" (revise) and circle it at the point where an error occurred or where a revision needs to be made. Make the correction and continue to do a few more examples. Model and revise throughout the week until you're done. PLEASE SEE REVISING EXAMPLES IN PDF FORMAT.
Note: Make sure your children follow the same routine as they begin to revise their writing.
4) When your children begin to revise, each one should have their own bag of writing tools. Conference with each for 10-15 minutes (you decide how long). Continue to conference with your children throughout the week until you're done.
5) Now, model how to edit your writing. Share that editing is capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar. When you reread your writing a second time, ask yourself the following questions:
a) Does each sentence begin with a capital letter and end with correct punctuation?
b) Is any word misspelled?
c) Does this sentence sound right to me?
6) Again, using a marker or colored pencil, use an editing symbol below and circle it at the point where an error occurred and then fix it.
Editing Symbols:
"P " P. P! P? = Punctuation
G = Grammar
C = Capitalization
S = Spelling
7) Again, follow the same format as above when conferencing. Continue to conference throughout the week until you're done.
8) We've come to the final step of the writing process. Model how to publish your writing. Emphasize your best handwriting or show how to type it on the computer. Make sure your writing is written correctly and easy to read. Give it a title to make it more interesting!
9) Last, when your children have published their writing, celebrate with an Author's Tea or with Buddy Writers. Hang their writing for everyone to view.
Bruce Cabell is a teacher, writer, author, and educreator. He was a classroom teacher for over 27 years. He taught kindergarten, first, and third grade in Connecticut. Bruce has mentored numerous young teachers as well as modeled many writing strategies and skills for classroom teachers. His passion for writing has resulted in his first published creation, Writing Organizer Fold-Outs for grades 2-5. Visit Creative Teaching Press at www.creativeteaching.com to view these wonderful all-in-one writing tools.
In addition, to learn more about Bruce visit him on LinkedIn… https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=262989552&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Last, visit his new website at http://www.thewritingguy.branded.me/
