How do I get kids to really revise?

Ms. Mary,

I'm having trouble getting my students to revise their work. I led a mini-lesson on choosing more interesting/powerful verbs, and that resulted in some small (but effective) changes in the students' text. But how do I get them to think beyond basic editing changes and really revise their work?

Signed,
Stuck



Dear Stuck,

When I am working with writers who feel stuck or uninspired in revision, I know that the first thing I should do is to back track: I need to light a fire under them. I have learned that "fire" here does not involve real fires -- or even matches -- but it must have the same urgency as something burning. In lieu of pyrotechnics, try looking more closely at immersing kids in text before starting writing. I must find high-quality written examples of what we will try to write. I used to think my students needed to spend copious amounts of energy revising at the end. While they do need to revise at the end, it isn't that simple. They need to begin well-versed in good examples of the kind of writing we are doing so they can make good choices as they go, leaving less work in revision at the end.

The next area to consider is modeling and think-aloud. We need to teach writers what they can do when they revise -- and why they would make those changes. If I can show students how I am very careful about the purpose of my writing, they can see me revise with purpose and joy. This model they see -- on the easel or a screen or in my notebook -- and supported by think-aloud, is very powerful. It's like learning to knit: it's a lot easier to sit next to someone who is doing it well. You can watch the "expert" and then try it. (Although you may still be working on a scarf --for over three years-- involving only a blanket stitch.)

The third area I know I look to is my own writing. Think about your own writing and your own investment in revision. My conferences are much more meaningful when I really understand the work the students are doing. When I invest in my own writing -- and my own revision -- I can infuse students with energy and inform them.

Revision is about taking something that's already good and making it better. So help students start with something that's strong, and then connect with other writers in a writing community where revision matters.

Good luck!

Ms. Mary



Disclaimer: I have been asked to reiterate that the IPYW does not--does not, I repeat--support the use of actual fire under writers or even the use of matches in classrooms. That being said, it does remain untested.