I like this notion, first reader... where can I learn more about it? Thanks Deborah Bova
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jacquie Leighton" <[email protected]> To: "A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades." <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 3, 2009 5:29:08 PM GMT -05:00 Columbia Subject: Re: [LIT] hallway first reader conferences Hi Tena, Cold enough for ya? First readers are people we trust to read our writings when we think we're ready to submit for teacher edit. I only edit for conventions. The writer hooks up with someone who will read their piece and give them feedback on how it might be better. They know from example and modeling what a piece of good feedback might be. I keep the first reader focus on content only, not editing. I still visit (stool and travel) but when they have a peer who will take the time to read their early drafts, it's magical how they lead themselves to discussions. They may not specifically follow a formula for feedback but they try and I give them the freedom to let their 10 tops conversations lead them to where ever. It's much more effective. I might ask for them to give feedback on meaningful word choices, they might touch down on it, but often they have other discussions, mostly about similar expereriences. Good fodder for the writing piece. OFten I'll ask the writer to jot down a reflection on how the conference was useful and worth their time. I don't read every single piece, but I do offer a quick look at content if they ask, and I'll offer a glaring revision suggestion. Takes a minute or two. I don't read every single word. I get the gist of it. I edit only when they've submitted for teacher edit. They've placed it in the "slot" for teacher edit. I edit for "obvious stuff" (defined by you), spelling, and correct title conventions. I return it to them for their work at final drafting. Please let me know if I've answered your curiosities about first reader. It's loose, they do it outside the door to the classroom, 10 minutes tops, and I ask for feedback from the writer who received the conference. They love it. It's a kind of publishing where they're presenting their ideas and skills to the "world" and getting immediate feedback. Stay warm and happy new year. Jacquie On Jan 3, 2009, at 3:37 PM, TLP wrote: > Jacquie wrote: > ...She said she missed writing workshop, hallway first reader > conferences, > choosing her topics and purposes for writing, publishing. > > So I jumped right on this as I still use the stool and travel > method. But I > bet this would be less distracting. Can you talk about the "first > reader" > aspect. Here are some things I still run into. > Kids who do not use their personal proofreading checklist > Kids who want me to edit their work > Kids who want me to read every single word before passing in > polished work > (which on new tasks I don't mind but again it becomes an editing > nightmare! > Keep in mind, most are fine but there are always some that need to > be more > independent. Does "first reader" address this? > > -- > Tena > _______________________________________________ > The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org > > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org > . > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive > _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
