Peer Editing with Firsties

In my classroom, this is a key component to teaching writing.  I work on building community with my kiddos early so that they are able to help one another when the time is right.

It's amazing how grown up six year olds are when you give them real responsibility!

So, if you're nervous about peer editing with primary learners...this is the post for you! :)

These ideas can be recreated in your own classroom with your own materials!  I'll share with you a few things that I've made...but writing is so subjective...take my suggestions and run! :)

At the beginning of the year, I model each step of my writing process explicitly.  I read tons of mentor texts on things that I'm teaching in my writing block.  Then, I identify students who are meeting or exceeding my goals at each stage of the process and I have them help me model as well! :)  *They LOVE that, btw!*

I have a very simple student checklist that I use to help them work on peer editing with one another.

We go over it many times as a whole group, before I set them loose to work with each other.

Click HERE for video if the picture link won't work. :/

Even my students who are not reading at a high level know to work with a peer that can read to them.

I also made some rubrics that have pictures for my RTI and ESE students.  My students are very familiar with rubrics and are at the stage of the year where they can tell me where they fall within a rubric for writing.  I use the same type of template and MODEL, MODEL, MODEL so that they understand my end goals! :)

This particular picture rubric I used for a collaborative writing activity on community helpers.  Hopefully soon I'll get into a post on how I do collaborative writing.  It's SUPER fun! :)

My kids love it! :)

Last step...

Once they know what they are doing, allow them to move freely about the room helping other students! :)  One of the things we are trying to get kids to do is generate questions.  When you allow the kids to choose their own partners, they have to work on their social skills.  They have to respond to their peer while collaborating on the checklist or rubric.  It's also shows off a lot of different teaching skills in one lesson if you're being observed! :)

After my students peer edit, I do a final check of the work and they rewrite for a published copy.  Good writers are not accidental.  You've got to read lots of great mentor texts and model for your learners!   Remember to encourage even your most reluctant writers!  They will come along with lots of positive praise...especially in primary! :)