Students wrote, as an in class assignment, about their weekend or their summer break. They were expected to write in the past tense. This assignment was part of our beginning of the year review.
After writing, the students were asked to find someone to peer edit. The peer editors were given two tasks. The first task was to read and then suggest what could be added to lengthen the essay. They could do this in the form of questions to expand on existing information or suggestions of things to include. The second task was to look over the verbs and offer ways to correct mistakes. Suggestions were to be written on the paper.
Some students took their job seriously and offered useful suggestions. Others didn't offer any input. When the papers were returned, some utilized the advice and others did not.
After the papers were returned, students were asked to blog on the question: Was the advice I got useful or not and why/why not?
Names and examples:
The purpose of this initial activity was for me to get a read on who already uses this technique well and who is unwilling or unable to peer edit and/or utilize the advice.
Summary of my observations:
