The Power of Peer Editing

As a teacher who has always taught primary students and is new to teaching grade eight, I found myself contemplating ways to engage my students throughout the writing process. For my reluctant students, asking them to write was like pulling teeth! Also, with my class being the oldest in the school, I wanted to provide them with leadership opportunities. After brainstorming with a colleague who teaches grade five, we agreed to marry the two ideas. We decided to shift from the traditional ‘reading buddies’ concept to a writing focused partnership. Now, every Friday morning my grade eight class works with a grade five writing partner. Not only do my students have the chance to mentor someone younger, but they also guide them through the writing process. Whether they are editing their work for conventions or providing them with feedback, it is a wonderful way to start a Friday morning! My boys are really thriving in this leadership role and the younger students have made a special connection with them. A simple idea turned into an opportunity to develop a love of writing, as well as foster new relationships and build trust among students.