Drafting & Grading
What’s in the video
- How to keep them writing, even when they don’t want to.
- Write A LOT during class, but they can write at home.
- Where to find good prompts.
- Teach your students to be topic generators too!
- More on how to grade: how to set limits and why.
More Resources
- Join the Writer’s Notebook Support Group on Facebook
- Jordan Kerkoff’s interview with Ella about her Writer’s Notebook. It’s amazing! Don’t miss it!
- Kelly Gallagher’s Teaching Adolescent Writers
- 500 Writing Prompts
- Brilliant story starting prompts, by author Robin Woods:
Please Comment below!
But wait . . . There’s MORE! I have made one bonus lesson that gives you a glimpse into how you can use the Writer’s Notebook to teach revision. If lots of low-stakes writing has a tremendous impact on a student’s ability to write, then regular practice with low-stakes revision will make students better second-drafters.
You will receive one final email tomorrow for this bonus lesson. But if you would rather not wait, click the link below for your bonus lesson right now.
==> Show Me How To Do Low-Stakes Revision Right Now!
MAKE THEM MASTER IT 
I like how you have sub topics for a more general topic. I also think the log is very good. Starring their best work for grading is excellent. Do you do anything grading wise if the kids don’t complete all of the writing? I can see that the kids will just do what they want me to grade. Does it matter?
LikeLike
Yes, they get points for completion. Following the rules and guidelines is the bottomline requirement to earn points. If I suspect they are not full filling the requirements, then I take a closer look.
I treat the three they star more like dipsticks. They give me a sense of what they are doing with the rest of their entries. If I see blank pages, less than 150 words, no paragraph breaks, etc. then they get a zero for that entry.
LikeLike
Very good. That makes them put in the effort and complete all the writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed!
LikeLike
I love the student accountability and responsibility measures that are built into the WNB. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the links to the all the resources. I also appreciated hearing you explain how you spend time on this up front before releasing some of it as homework. I have a question about your logs. If a student has large handwriting or writes a lot, and they go over one page, do you just ask them to amend the preprinted page numbers on the log? Do you find that this happens very often–students going beyond one page?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most of the time, no; they tend to stick to one page. But “going over” one page means they are now writing a series of entries. I tell them, “If you have can’t stop at 150, then you are going to need to go 300. If that’s not enough, then go for 450!” The idea is, each page = one entry. I encourage students to write in series if their ideas are too big for one entry blasts. Some of my students have written lengthy stories, one entry after the next. Those that have done it have enjoyed having the space to write out something they wouldn’t have explored on their own.
LikeLike
Your lesson is excellent. Perhaps you could share your system of feedback and what is put in the grade book. What is the criteria that you give them to understand the expectations for those entries? Do they earn traditional grades? I am curious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great question, Susan! Since designing this course, I have moved away from traditional marks. Here is a snapshot of what I do now: https://makethemmasterit.com/2018/12/08/1-week-170-convos/
When it comes to the Writer’s Notebook, I still read and mark three, but I give feedback only, no points. So, there still is accountability, it just comes in a way other than points.
Keep the questions coming!
LikeLike
I still need more details. I am sure that the bonus lesson will help, and ordering your book will bring everything together for me. Thanks for providing this course!
LikeLike
Thank you for the course! It has given me some direction on how to keep going. I commented earlier that I was about to give it up, to stop using the Writer’s Notebook because my students are so disengaged. I have some ideas now to keep us going!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doing a victorious fist pump in your honor! That’s great, Tammy! Thanks for sharing!!!
LikeLike
Would love to see how this can be adapted to the new normal of online teaching…online Writer’s Notebook.
LikeLike
Wow, am I behind on responding to comments! I made a Google Slides WNB. Happy to share if you’re interested.
LikeLike