Revision can be hard for students, but it doesn't have to be. Here is a 4 day unit taking students through the beginning of revision to peer revisions.
This is a free slide deck to help you navigate the 4 day revision unit. It is full of Do Nows (entry tasks), Discussion Questions, and Activities.
Below you will find all of the Worksheets and Extras that you may want to use in this unit.
This is the protocol for workshops I have used with my high schoolers. You can have groups in what ever size you would like but I recommend about 4-5, but play with class size, time an the like. This has a example conversation on the back side to help students. I do not have students writing anything on this paper, it is just to help them through the protocol, but you could have students write down what they or other say.
*Please note, they have always practiced with non-peer work before they do this.
Here are some sentence frames to help students write their comments in a way that is helpful, supportive, and objective. *This is also very helpful to students who are multi-lingual or may need more help due to their IEP.
Here is an example text that students can give HSO comments to. It was written for this purpose.
Here is an alternate reflection from the one in the slide deck.
Here is a slimmed down protocol sheet for students. It does not have example questions on it, but it does have a short reflection.
Here are some optional extension ideas to try!
Discuss how revision fits in with a growth mindset. This is a popular topic in Social Emotional Learning Curriculum, and makes a great opportunity to show it in person.
Find a local author to come in/zoom with your class about their drafting process.
Read this blog post about Critique Groups found in my blog with them. Have them form critique groups based on the kind of writing they like to do. *You can give them a few minutes everyday to meet with them.
Add this workshop into every unit you do. The more the students get familiar with it the better results they will have. When I was able to do this a lot, students would beg for more time to get feedback.
Add an extra day into the unit to actually make the revisions. Have them track what the line/phrase started as and what it is now. A t-chart or two column table can make great visual representations for students.
Have them revise things of different levels of "done." Warmups, final projects, 10 minute writing exercises.
Things to think about:
After the pandemic, I have noticed in my students a huge gap in social skills. Mainly in the skills to talk to other students they do not know well. It may be extremely helpful to have students interact quite a bit before doing this personal level of discussion. I have found great success in having students play games, discuss, etc. as part of creative breaks during the period. This helps them re-set, get to know each other, and re-learn some of those lost skills.
If students do not turn in their work for others to read, do not let them just sit and work on their missing work. Instead give them an example pre-made (you could whip it out in 5 minutes or let me know and I can provide one) that they use as their work for the workshop. This is ideal for a few reasons, a) they still get to participate with the rest of the class, b) they still get the experience of giving and getting feedback, and c) it helps to eliminate a classroom culture of "my teacher will just give me more time." This also allows a student with an IEP for anxiety (or writing) to get a foot in the door without having to be completely vulnerable in front of peers.
I can not stress how important it is as a teacher to show you are not perfect. I welcome students finding my spelling errors (of which there are a lot) and when I don't know something I tell them. Normalizing imperfection is an important part of writing and growing as an artist in general.
When a student gets stuck I always remind them they can revise words they have written, but they can not revise a blank page. Something is better than nothing.
As always, lets connect!
Leave a comment or connect with me on social media.
instagram: @emily.k.bray
Facebook: @emily.k.braywrites
Happy Writing, Happy Teaching
Emily K. Bray
Comments