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Walking the Walk: Real Revision in
the Classroom
Kate Messner
WSRA
http://www.katemessner.com
Assignment:
Write for three minutes, describing a place that you love.
So…what are you writing these days?
As I have been writing this summer, I feel like I have had moments when I can identify with authors I have heard speak or authors I have read about. There are so many things I have heard authors say that I now can identify with since I am writing, too. I strongly believe in my own reflection and introspection to guide how I work with students.
Read more: Jen Vincent’s Teach Mentor Texts Bloghttp://www.teachmentortexts.com/2012/07/tmt-summer-writing-group-week-seven.html#axzz22AK6Adae
“The Book in My Mind…”
WHAT REVISION ISN’T…
Spell Checking
Hiring a professional editor
Solitary
A process with a single correct solution or end point
http://devilduck.tumblr.com/post/3834151230
WHAT REVISION IS
Brainstorming
Free-Writing
(and maybe
starting over)
Princess Marty Frog-Slimeand the
Nutcracker Ballet
Confessions of a Sea Monster
“Well…This is funny. But it sounds more
like a New Yorker cartoon than a book for
kids.”
Reconsidering a
character’s motivation
What if things turned
out differentl
y?
Two Books
in One?
Who’s that guygirl?
The Gift of a
Crashed Hard
Drive…
Considering
different formats
Draft 1
Draft 2
Draft 3
Draft 4
Time to
Write!Sometimes poem…
Time to Write! *
Sometimes…
CHARACTERS/STUFF I LIKE
OR FIND FASCINATING
SETTINGS THEMES/MOODS
HURRICANES RAINFOREST MYSTERY
PYTHONS EARLY 20TH CENTURY NYC
SECRETS
TIME TRAVEL LAKE CHAMPLAIN SCIENCE VS. ART
Assignment: Mess around with your columns & come up with a story idea.
Write the first page.
Write it fast. (15 minutes)
It’s okay if it’s crummy.
We’ll make it awesome later.
Time to
Write!
WHAT REVISION IS
Finding & Strengthening the Heart of a project
This book is about _________________________________________________________________________________________.
(But underneath that, it’s really about __________________________________________________________________________________________.
My book is about a figure skater from a small-town maple farm who earns a scholarship to train with the elite in Lake Placid & discovers a world of mean girls on ice.
But underneath that, it’s really about making a decision to follow your own dreams instead of the dreams that are chosen for you.
My book is about a future world where killer tornadoes are widespread and four kids at a science camp who are trying to stop them but discover a terrifying secret.
But underneath that, it’s really about using your powers for good.
This book is about _________________________________________________________________________________________.
(But underneath that, it’s really about __________________________________________________________________________________________.
WHAT REVISION IS
65 Off-Draft Writing Prompts
to Jump-Start Revision
Write a metaphor-poem describing one of your characters, in another character’s voice.Thanks, Kelly Fineman!
Write a metaphor-poem describing one of your characters, in another character’s voice.
Thanks, Kelly Fineman!
WHAT REVISION IS
Raising the Stakes
MENTOR TEXTS
How could my main character
make his/her
situation worse?
What actions might your
main character take to make
his/her situation
worse before he or she makes it better?
WHAT REVISION IS
Charts, maps, timelines, & outlines
More Ideas…
• Map the setting – note important events
• Chapter by chapter timelines• Plot charts with rising/falling
action• Outline (after writing) to
identify weak chapters
Big-Picture Story Chart - What
characters, settings, objects, jokes,
themes, and threads are important in your
project? Are they woven consistently
throughout the text?
Time
to Revise
!Sometimes poem… Add SMELLS
WHAT REVISION IS
Returning to Research
WHAT REVISION IS
Details and Word Choice
Be specific.
Be surprising.
Look for delicious details
Look for delicious details
Google Maps – Street View
Role Play!Replace Tired Body
Language
** Role Play! Replace Tired Body
Language
ANGRYFRUSTRATED
ANXIOUSSCARED
JOYFUL-EXCITEDDEPRESSED
WHAT REVISION IS
Being a Word Ninja
Readers are Smart
Don’t keep repeating your points to make sure they “get it.”
very
really
just
that
“what looked like”
JUSTANDRATHERBEGAN TOAS THOUGHTHENBUT ALWAYS
GLANCEDIN THAT MOMENTSO A BITI GUESSMAYBETHATVERY REALLY
Watch for “pet” stories, ideas,
themes, phrases…
Brainstorm: What words,
phrases, & pet stories are on your personal
“MOST WANTED” list?
Time to Revise!
***Sometimes poem… Cut at least 30 words
WHAT REVISION IS
Being Social
-Critique Groups/Partners
-Crowd-Sourcing Solutions
Hey….What would you call that little
container where you keep contact lenses
when you’re not wearing them? A
tub?
Post-It Note Critiques
ORANGE = “I LOVE THIS!”
GREEN = “I’M BORED.”YELLOW=“I’M CONFUSED”
Time
to Revise
!Sometimes poem… Rewrite in different season/circumstances
WHAT REVISION IS
Technology Tools
of the Trade
Scrivener
http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php
WHAT REVISION IS
Finding the Right Title
WHAT REVISION IS
Finding the Right Title
TEN Titles Highlight great phrases
Crowd-source Cut-it-Up & Mix-it-Up
WHAT REVISION IS
Making Lists…
…and getting to work!
Five Reasons Kids Don’t Want to
Revise(and what teachers
can do about it)
Kate Messner
http://www.katemessner.com
REASON #1
“But I just FINISHED. And I
like my paper the way it is.”
SOLUTION:
Start the revision conversation
early.
After We Write…
REVISION – PART I
REVISION – PART 2
REVISION – PART 3
REASON #2
“I already ran a spell check. I’m
good.”
SOLUTION:
Teach students the difference
between revising and editing.
REASON #3
“I don’t know where to start.”
SOLUTION:
Have a revision checklist ready…
Student Critique Partners• Trade papers with a partner•Use highlighters to indicate the following:•Pink = Consider cutting this part.•Green = I’m confused now.•Orange = Use more vivid details/precise language.
•Yellow = This part works really well!•In the margin next to each color (or on a Post-It note), write a note explaining your highlighting and making suggestions.
REASON #4
“I did revise. Just now. It’s not my fault I’m a fast
reviser.”
SOLUTION:
Teach multiple strategies for
revision.
A Shrunken ManuscriptStrategy Courtesy of Darcy
Pattisonhttp://www.darcypattison.com
PINK = plot pointsGREEN = crushBLUE = RubyORANGE = funny bits
with IanYELLOW = place for
the tree game
REASON #5
“Everybody says I’m a great writer.
Great writers don’t need to
revise.”
SOLUTION:
Use published authors as role
models, through text examples and
Skype visits.
GUESS HOW MANY DRAFTS?
14!
How will you spend your
precious writing time
with students?
“Revolution for the Tested”
Walking the Walk: Real Revision in
the Classroom
Kate Messner
WSRA
http://www.katemessner.com
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