Twenty-Fourth Class Period: Peer Critiquing

Journal Prompt for Chapter 22 of The House on Mango Street: Describe how Esperanza is affected by her grandfather's death. Then, describe how you have been affected by the death of a grandparent/other close family member--yes, pets can be considered, and/or describe how you could value a family member more while they are alive. Mr. Stone checked to make sure students had completed their tall tale prewriting and a rough draft of their tall tale. Students swapped their tall tales with two class mates, read their classmates' drafts, and responded on a separate sheet of paper: 1. What did you like most about his/her tale? Affirm the writer. 2. As a reader, what were you missing?/What would you like to have seen more/less of in his/her tale? Help the writer see a reader's perspective of his/her tale. Sign and staple your comments for the tall tale to the corresponding rough draft. Students then swapped their rough draft of their short story with one classmate and critiqued. They were directed to write affirming and helpful comments directly on his/her partner's rough draft. They were to sign the bottom of the draft. Homework: Complete a revised draft of your short story. (Period 7 needs to revise their tall tale as well.) Students will peer edit a classmate's short story next class period. The final draft of the short story is due at the beginning of the third English I class period this week. (Remember that the picnic has been postponed.)