In our class we call this "splitting the sentences." The activity/lesson is to take two basic sentences and have students add details to make each sentence into two sentences or more--hence the name "splitting the sentences." This activity really helps students that struggle with "IDEAS" or just want to write the minimum amount and call it good. When we go through the editing process, I will tell them that they need split sentences to add in those ALL important details! After the lesson, I wrapped their tables/desks in white butcher paper and had them write the new version of the provided sentences on the paper in marker and then the students walked around and saw how different the SAME two sentences could turn out. It was a great ending activity for the lesson -kinda like publishing for everyone to see. This would be appropriate for 2nd grade and higher. Here is a student sample.
So when you said, you edit your sentences that you add in more detail. Will you explain editing vs revising?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. The definition of EDIT is to prepare (written material) for publication or presentation, as by correcting, revising, or adapting. I probably should separate the terms edit and revise when talking with the students, but I have always just taught them that to edit is part of all these things. Also, I may not be as concerned with spelling or even punctuation if we are focusing on a particular TRAIT. If we are working on VOICE then my main focus of that paper may be word choice-metaphor use- or mood setting etc. As you can see in this student paper there are some errors, but my main focus of this paper was to make sure students were adding in the juicy details.I hope that helps. This is just what I do . I am sure there are 1000 ways to get to the same result.
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