When the teacher’s away… Don’t Play!

Alessia, Ms. Robins asked me to tell you that she has information for you in her office. Go see her right away!

Sorry guys,

I was called to a meeting at Coral Gables SHS at the very last second, so I won’t be in class today. I should be back in class on Monday, and I will read all of your first drafts over the weekend. I was really looking forward to seeing them today. I know you will treat my substitute with twice the respect you ordinarily give me – or else I will hear about it!

All of your work is still due today. You will be working in peer editing groups and beginning your second draft, which is due at the start of Monday’s class. I suggest you pay serious attention to your groupmates’ gentle nudges, and do your best to incorporate their comments into your revised draft. (J1 Peer Editing Groups 9.20.07)

 A note to peer editors: the phrase of the day is ‘constructive criticism.’ Both of the words in this phrase are equally imporant: Don’t tell someone they are failures in life just because they misspelled a word – but don’t be afraid to tell someone what they need to do to fix their stories just because you want to be nice. You’re not doing them or yourself any favors, because if you miss an error and their story doesn’t improve, you BOTH will be held responsible.

It’s fine to say, “Mr. Weiss is making me criticize, so I guess that you should work on ________.” Another way to look at the phrase ‘constructive criticism’ is to think of it as being ‘politely brutal’ – emphasis on polite, emphasis on brutal.

Please Do Now (15 minutes):

1. Read the following article: http://www.miamiherald.com/620/story/243939.html
2. Go to the “Forms” tab and download a “News and Features Postwrite” form. Fill out the form as if you were trying to help the writer with his story. Copy the filled out form and paste it as a comment to this post.   

Today, students will:

1. Divide into peer editing groups (J1 Peer Editing Groups 9.20.07). Read the first draft of your groupmates’ stories on their blogs.
2. Fill out a “News and Features Postwrite” form for each member of your peer editing group. Submit a completed form as a comment to their posts.
3. Fill out a “Peer Editing” form for each member of your peer editing group. Submit a completed form as a comment to their posts.
4. If you groupmate has not finished their first draft, copy and paste the following message as a comment to their most recent post: “Wow, ___________. I’m kind of hurt and offended that you disrespected our group like this and didn’t do your homework. How are we supposed to put a paper together if you don’t put in your fair share? If I were you, I’d be worried about my grade – didn’t Mr. Weiss say if we didn’t hand these in, we’d basically be failing his class? I suggest for your own good that you get all of your work done before he gets back on Monday!”
5. Once you’ve completed your peer editing, read what your groupmates have posted on your blog and begin your second draft.

Tonight’s homework is:

1. Completed second drafts are due when Monday’s class begins. All of your work must be handed in!!!