Author Archives: SL

Revision Tips: Take 2

It is impossible to write about all the wonderful strategies for revision, but I do have some more that I wanted to add. We have discussed revising for organization, word choice, and for a different audience (voice), but I haven’t … Continue reading

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Proofreading: Changing the Way the Paper Looks

Ok, we’ve worked to make our papers clear, concise, and complete during revision.  Now let’s proofread to work on the way the writing looks: punctuation, capitalization, spelling, formatting/indenting, homophones, contractions, margins. You know: all that grammar and mechanics stuff.  We … Continue reading

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Do I Really Have to Use Technology?

What a day to be an educator and a student when one considers all the wonderful technology at our fingertips!!    Did you know that the definition for literacy now includes interacting with technology in a meaningful way besides just … Continue reading

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Sentence-Combining: Cleaning up the MESS

Before sentence-combining is begun in revision, please take time to review the types of sentences.  Review declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Teach simple, compound, and complex, and in some cases, teach the compound-complex sentence.  Review your standards and the expectations … Continue reading

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Expansion and Slotting: Cleaning up the MESS

Expansion is just what it sounds like: adding details and expanding ideas.  This is a great place to teach modifiers, but don’t get too carried away with adjectives and adverbs.  E.B. White said, “It is nouns and verbs, not their … Continue reading

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Tips for Helping Struggling Readers Learn to Write

While I have been working on the revision blogs, I have had in the back of my mind all of you who are working with those at-risk students and how difficult teaching them to write can be.  I want to … Continue reading

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Movability: Cleaning up the MESS

Movability is a strategy I have used for many years with my students, all levels and abilities, as they revise their sloppy copies/rough drafts. I introduce it by asking students what the word sounds like and they generally tell me … Continue reading

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Cleaning It Up During Revision

Before we begin the discussion of  revision techniques, I wanted to remind you to do something before you begin.  Get to know your students and their strengths and weaknesses in writing.  This way, you can identify “experts” before pairing up … Continue reading

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Revision: Changing the Way the Paper Sounds

Revision is the third step in the writing process and may be the most important piece of the process.  I like to think about revision as the opportunity to make changes in the the way the paper sounds if read … Continue reading

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Drinking Coffee from a Saucer

Christmas has once again come and gone and I await,with anticipation, the new year of 2012 and what it will bring.  Sitting and enjoying a steamy cup of coffee last night, I started reminiscing about growing up and  about my … Continue reading

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