Improving Student Composition Skills

	Write On

Student Editing

	Use a variety of activities, such as Miss Take’s Challenge, to improve student editing skills.
	Make composition editing the student’s responsibility.
	Refrain from marking individual editing errors.
	Never make editing marks on the final composition.

Student Editing

	When reading student compositions, put a number of errors on the top of the student’s paper and ask him or a peer to correct the paper.
	Explore Grading Tips offered at the Write On website.

Reading Aloud

	Provide students an opportunity to read final work aloud.  This provides them another chance to find errors.
	Post or compile folders with student compositions for others to view.

Personal Conferencing

	Conference with individual students focusing on problems that prevent their essays from communicating effectively with the audience.
	Make sure others are engaged in a quiet activity.
	Provide the individual an opportunity to read aloud to the teacher during a conference.

Personal Conferencing

	Train the other students to know that the teacher will not be disturbed during conference times.
	Post a sign near the teacher desk, “In Conference, Do Not Disturb.”
	When students attempt to interrupt, point to the sign.

Personal Conferencing

	Signal to students that interruptions during a conference are emergency only.
	Discuss and, if necessary, create a list of emergencies.
	Establish consequences for those who abuse the emergency only interruption rule.