Thursday, October 28, 2010

Intro to Editing

This week after work, Reesie and I attended his teacher's "How To Help Your Child Edit" workshop.

It was brilliant.

As the third graders read their work aloud, the parents put stars and underlines for things they did right, and asked them to re-read the parts that weren't so right.

I especially love the way we learned to communicate--"As your reader, I'm confused about this part"--taking the sting out of the child's being crushed.

At the very end of the reading, we counted up all the words on the page and circled it at the bottom.

Just like us writers: "How many words did I do today?"

I wanted to use this gentler approach with my community college writers yesterday. But there wasn't time. I had to get to the point: "Exactly what drugs were you using under that bridge?"

So content is defintiely different.

But there will be a day--and it will be soon--when those papers are filled up with lots of lines and stars.

14 comments:

BK Mattingly said...

I like this way of editing :) I think it can really help if you can mark which parts you really like in a WiP because it can help the writer know what to maybe elaborate on as well as what they can leave out. Great post!

Theresa Milstein said...

I LOVE that kids get to write in school today. This is something I really didn't do until high school. What a great way for young ones to learn about editing.

I'm hosting a Halloween Haunting at my blog "Substitute Teacher's Saga" if you want to join in. There are prizes!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

What a great teacher! I love it that she is teaching the kids how to edit, but I especially love that she is taking the time to help teach PARENTS how to edit. What a great way to encourage the kids to write! :-)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Jennie,

Haunting you from Theresa's blog. So nice to *meet* you & I'm follower #75. Yay! I love it when I can be a milestone follower lol.

KarenG

Summer Ross said...

Hello- I'm a new follower, haunting you from the "haunting" at the teachers saga. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Jennie--I taught 3rd and 4th grade for about 20 years...I think that's why when I critique I have to write what I like and my emotional reactions as I'm reading as well as my suggestions...

I'm glad you both had such a special experience. :-D

Jennifer Hillier said...

What a great workshop! Wouldn't mind attending one of these myself :)

Jayne said...

Boo! Hi Jennie, I am here from Theresa's blog haunting party. :)

Gosh I remember writing at school and circling the word count at the bottom! And I am so impressed with the school - what a brilliant work shop.

Lisa Galek said...

Hi, I'm stopping by from Theresa's blog. Nice editing ideas for kids!

Jennie Englund said...

Awesome! We're all so inspired -- and inspiring!

Aren't we lucky to live at a time/ in a place where writing is so important?

Thank you, spooky Haunters, for stopping by!

Belle Wong said...

I'm here from the Halloween Haunting - great post! I love this gentler approach to editing; will have to use this with my little one.

Robyn Campbell said...

Hi, I write picture books and MG novels.

I love the How To Help Your Child Edit workshop. Sounds like you are teaching critiquing skills at a very young age. Something I wish some 'big people' had learned. :)

Robyn Campbell said...

Forgot to tell you I came from Theresa's Halloween Haunting. Have a happy Halloween. BWA HA HA HA

Jennie Englund said...

It's NaNo! Who's in?

Good luck and have fun!