Authors' Circles

I am so impressed with our writers. Today in writer's workshop, we focused on revision. An important part of revision is getting positive and constructive feedback from other writers. We need more than "That was good" or "I liked it." Writers need specific feedback that can help an author improve his or her piece. An important tool we use to accomplish this is an author's circle. In an author's circle, three writers get together and listen to one piece of writing. They usually listen to it several times before giving feedback. When discussing the piece, they usually focus on some questions like these:

What did I like about the writing? (being specific!)

What message or meaning did I take away from the poem?

Were there any parts that confused me?

What tools or techniques could improve the writing?

After demonstrating an author's circle with Atticus and Anna C., the students took off to have their on. Again, I was so impressed. The students were giving incredible feedback to each other. They were taking their work very seriously, and it showed through all of their conversations. Here's some pictures from today's workshop time:

Atticus and Jordan gave Garvin some feedback to one of his poems. I love how they're all reading the poem together, carefully listening to Garvin's words.

This group was incredible. Caroline and Charlie spent almost the entire class period giving Justin feedback on one of his poems. Justin took their suggestions very seriously, adding in new stanzas and lines to his poems. It was amazing to watch this group of writers at work. This is so much more than "I like your poem." This is the work of real writers!