The Revision Toolbox: Teaching Techniques That Work

by Georgia Heard

Grades K-8 "How can I get my students to revise their writing?" If this is one of your most frequently asked questions, then this is the book for you – a guide to specific strategies you can teach to enable your students to re-see and re-shape their writing on multiple levels, from word choice to organization. Longtime writer and writing teacher Georgia Heard knows firsthand what a daunting task revision can seem to both students and teachers. First, she addresses students' confusion about the differences between editing and revision. She shows you how to reassure your students that revision is not an indicator of bad writing, but an integral part of the writing process. Then Heard provides ready-to-use strategies that take the mystery out of teaching revision and help even the most reluctant writers revise. Using three main Revision Toolboxes–Words, Structure, and Voice–she offers dozens of specific revision tools to inspire students to revisit their work. In addition, Heard Make revision inviting. Make it a part of your students' writing process. Then watch as they fine tune and improve-and the real pleasures of writing and teaching begin.

Genres: Teaching, Writing, Education, Nonfiction, Professional Development

134 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2002

About the author

Georgia Heard is the NCTE 2023 Excellence in Poetry for Children Award Winner which honors an American poet for their aggregate work for children. She is the author of many children’s books including her most recent Welcome to the Wonder House, (co-authored with Rebecca Kai Dotlich), My Thoughts Are Clouds: Poems for Mindfulness, and Boom! Bellow! Bleat!: Animal Poems for Two Or More Voices.
She received her M.F.A. in poetry writing from Columbia University. She is a founding member of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project in New York City. Currently, she visits schools in the United States and around the world teaching writing and poetry. She is the author of Heart Maps: Helping Students Create and Craft Authentic Writing and a new edition of Awakening the Heart.
-from georgiaheard.com

Reviews

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reference for teachers in how to get students over the challenging stumbling block of revising. A very short, easy read with enough strategies to kick start revision lessons.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/7/11 ** Day 11 Book 13 ** Heard draws on her extensive experience as both a writer and writer-in-residence in many schools to craft this book about revision. The gist of the book is that revision is not something writers engage in at the end of the process, but something they do throughout. While Heard doesn't focus specifically on 6 traits, three chapters do deal with revision for words, structure, and voice, so the book will be useful to those who are follow the 6 traits teaching model.

As I read, I felt as if I was sitting in a classroom talking with Heard. Her voice is down-to-earth and engaging; her ideas are concrete and practical, drawing on examples from kids' writing and children's literature. This book is well worth having as a resource.

6/7/11 ** Well, I finally came back to this book and finished it. I skimmed/read the four chapters that I'd read in January and finished the rest more carefully today.

1/18/2011 ** Picked this up when I heard Georgia Heard speak in Oct. Thought the book would have some good ideas for writing mini-conferences. Started it yesterday and read 3 chapters with another one tonight over dinner.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Students think they are done when they write the last word on a writing piece. This is a helpful book with easily implemented strategies to get students to take that dreaded step toward revision, not just editing.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, relevant ideas for teaching revision to students.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, organized and practical lessons that really get at the heart of good writing. Love it!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a great bunch of revision techniques. Very useful for the classroom

[Julie Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the title implies, this book does set off any earth shattering paradigm shifts, but tons of practical support for teaching revision at any level of writing. It is a great toolbox!