A Peer Editing and Revising Strategy That Works Every Time

Not a fan of peer editing and revising?

Try this strategy (with students of all ability levels) and watch writing proficiency levels soar.

Why am I such a fan? Because it delivers results every time, and  I don’t have any papers to grade at home.

Here’s how it works:

First, a peer editor/reviser will count the number of words in the first five sentences of another student’s paragraph and record those numbers above each finger.

Next, the first word of each sentence will be listed inside each finger.

Then, a short reflection will be added to the palm of the hand.

TAKE FIVE!

As you can see, a quick glance at the completed Take Five task sheet will show the student author that a sentence or two should be revised since three of the five sentences start with the same word.

The student author may consider shortening one or two sentences in order to add a little sentence variety to the piece as well.

It’s as easy as that.

This handy, multi-purpose, formative assessment tool also serves double duty by providing teachers with a visual springboard to use during writing conferences.

Download the free 10-page Take Five freebee by clicking on the above sample.

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