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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Revise is not a bad word...

Good morning! I want to respond to the teacher who asked me how to help her kids understand the need for revision.

First and foremost, ask your students to go back and look for telling sentences in what they have written. Help them paint pictures with their words. Ex: Tina was mad.(tell) Tina stomped her foot and slammed her fist into the wall. (show)

Have a hearty conversation with your kids before you actually start the revision process. Stimulate a love of language by talking through any activity before it goes onto paper.

Give the kids in your class a page of YOUR own telling sentences. Tell them that you need help with revisions...imaginative ones. The idea that these are YOUR sentences adds an element of fun. They let the kids know that YOU value what they have to say and write.

Here are a couple ideas for the sentences you will ask the kids to revise for you.

You write:
I went to the grocery store. (tell)

Kids show:
I pulled corn off the top shelf. It fell into my cart.

You write:
I graded papers.

Kids show:
I put a smiley face at the top of Andre's paper.


Making yourself a part of the writing process is critical. If you're reading this as a parent, the same rule applies. Have fun with your kids while they write. Help them to see that writing isn't a burden, just an awesome way to communicate.

Believe it or not, after a while the kids will want to revise punctuation and grammer too. Writing is and should be fun!

If you're an aspiring writer, use these ideas yourself!

9 comments:

Real Life Mad Man said...

Hi Jan! Thanks for your comment.

Homespun Helpers, for now, is just an online group -- nothing to do with high schools as of yet, but it would be neat for high schools to participate! Per the post that you commented on, I'm hoping that we can make the jump to "real life" through people starting their own local groups. We shall see what happens :)

I have a lot of respect for what you do as well!

Colette McCormick said...

Great advice. I particularly likedthe way that you explained "show don't tell" which is something we writers all need to understand.

Faith said...

Hi Jan,
Thank you for the nice comment about my blog..I have passed your blog info on to my oldest son's
(13) Language Arts/Reading teacher, and my youngest (almost 7) 1st grade teacher. I thought they would be interested, as they are young vibrant women who are actively involved in teaching..

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

You've offered some great advice here.

:-)

Annie Wicking said...

Hi Jan,
Welcome to the world of blogging.
I've enjoyed reading your blog and shall be back for more.

Annie

Sandy said...

I don't see a new blog post sista. Just in from drinks and dinner. Visited and left comments on Kathy's blog. I need to add her to my list

You need to post a new one, visit my regular one here (you know click on my name, leave a comment); then visit the other one
http://stitchinglifetogether.today.com/

Leave comments, you didn't before. Do so on both blogs. Gotta think about what to write for tomorrow. Less time. Need to do it before work.

Hugs
Sandy

Kathleen Jones said...

I think your creativity is showing! I enjoy reading what you have written and I am inspired to figure out more of how to do this blogging thing!

Sandy said...

Thanks for including my children's writing exercises squidoo lens on your blog list! I enjoyed your post, and I'll be taking a closer look at your blog to find places on my own sites to link to you.

Glenda Council Beall said...

Great post. Thanks for stopping by our Netwest Writers site.
I taught children before I retired. Now I teach senior adults to write their life stories for their children and grandchildren. Your ideas are inspiring. I'll visit often.

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