Wikis, Word Choice, & Red Fonts—Ride the Revision Wave of the Future

NCRACarol Baldwin

March 24, 2010

www.maupinhouse.com

www.carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com

Studium Educational ResourcesBooth #59

MY GOALS FOR YOU: Help students embrace the concept that

revision is an important component of all writing. (and can be fun!)

Help students become more critical thinkers.

Help students gain skills in evaluating their own and their peers’ writing.

Help students learn to work respectfully. Learn a “Show, Don’t Tell” activity. Learn about wikis.

Today’s Roadmap

1. LOOK at North Carolina standards2. HOORAY for critical thinking3. EXERCISE Muscle Words4. PLAY “Jazz it Up”5. VIEW some Wikis

Academic Standardsfor Reading, Writing, Speaking

Competency Goal 6 for Grade 7Students will: Extend vocabulary knowledge by learning

and using new words. Choose language that is precise, engaging,

and well suited to the topic and audience. Experiment with figurative language. Listen to and monitor self to correct errors.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATIONfor North Carolina

Students are proficient in the use of technology.

Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity and promote creativity.

Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information and software.

Hooray forCritical Thinking!

What’s wrong with this writing?

How can I improve it?How can I avoid this mistake

in the future?

“Show, Don’t Tell!” Spring is in the air. I see daffodils and hear

birds. It is warm outside. vs. Yolk-yellow daffodils and bird songs as sweet

as flutes greet me with their warm embrace.Or,

Oliver is the smartest boy in the class. vs.

Oliver is as smart as Einstein and out-studies ever boy in the 5th grade.

Five Levels to Work On: “House” Word choice = style. “Street” Sentences. Structure & syntax.

Tense & person consistency. “Neighborhood” Paragraphs. Do

paragraphs make sense? “City” Check content. Is the author

accomplishing his purpose? “State” Check organization of entire

piece.

Exercise Muscle Words Vivid Verbs (rushed, meandered, not went)

Specific Nouns (Brookline Apartments or Castle Bordeaux, not house)

Image-driven Adjectives (lichen-smothered stone walls; a droll smile creased his face)

Similes, metaphors, personification Onomatopoeia, alliteration

1. Replace vague nouns or pronouns with specific nouns. 2. Replace boring (ex: "went") or "to be" verbs with vivid verbs.

3. Add interesting details or imagery by using a simile or metaphor.

4. Use the cross-out function when you take a word out; use the red font to insert a new word or phrase.

 5. Think, “Show, Don't Tell!”

6. DON'T CHANGE THE MEANING OF THE SENTENCE!

“Jazz it Up” Rules

“JAZZ IT UP”ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

Australia is full of a lot of cool animals. Diverse marsupials like kangaroos and koala

bears inhabit Australia.

The soldiers were wounded. Torn gray uniforms hung like shrouds from

the soldiers.

Let’s Play“Jazz it Up!”

What other skills are students

learning when they play this

game?

It’s Time to Wiki!What is a

wiki anyway??

http://pbwiki.com/content/supportcenter

Two revision wikis:

http://washst.pbworks.com/Shelley-+Red+Pencil

http://redfontandrevision.pbworks.com/Welcome+to+Red+Font+and+Revision

Ways to use a Wiki Collaboration among students. Portfolio of projects. Keep others informed: Update parents on class

activities, or update students on changes in syllabus.

Reference back coursework, discussions, and resolutions.

Develop open-ended discussions. Post frequently asked questions (FAQs). Post handouts.

Issues to keep in mind

Sign up for free wikis (educational use) May have to work with IT department Read instructions; play with your wiki Whoever has access to your wiki can edit it.

In other words, you control who gets access to the wiki, but once they’re logged in as a “writer”, they can edit the wiki.

REMEMBER! Revision is important for all writing Revision can be fun. Critically evaluate your own writing. Respect others’ work. “Show, Don’t Tell!” and, “Jazz it Up!”

www.maupinhouse.com

www.carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com

Studium Educational ResourcesBooth #59