Grading Writing

Do you feel lost when it comes to grading or correcting writing? Writing can seem so personal and abstract, so how in the world do you grade writing fairly? Where do you start?

With The Write Foundation system, grading writing is not overwhelming. Students’ grades should be based on the checklists, student worksheets and student assignments.

·         Every level has specific checklists for students to use to improve their work.

·         Each checklist skill is taught in the lessons, so students easily apply each skill.

·         A teacher copy of every checklist, with suggested points off is provided to help you grade.

If your child is working on the correct level, the grading is not hard. Students receive clear instructions in each lesson. What is taught in the lessons, is what should be graded.

Ø  Writing Checklists and No Lists that apply to all lessons

Ø  Student Worksheets and Student Assignments that apply to individual lessons.

Students learn because the worksheets, assignments and checklists make what is expected clear. They learn to include skills as you learn to check for them. The immediate feedback your child receives from you is priceless.

v  Grading writing is not looking for eloquent phrases. It is also not looking for phrases that could possibly be written better. Do not correct or take off points if you think your student could have worded a sentence better. Focus on other writing components.

v  Look for clear cut mistakes. Use the current checklists for that lesson to grade.

v  Praise them for what they do right.

v  Show them how to correct errors. Do not just mark an error. Show your student how to correct an error as you talk with your student and see what he or she was really trying to say.

v  Grading is part of every lesson. The lesson is complete when the grading is complete.

Grading writing can seem to be subjective. You do not want to risk offending or stifling a student’s creativity. Students however, need well-thought-out supervision to learn how to communicate clearly and effectively. Students need freedom to develop their own writing style. At the same time, they need structured guidance. Students’ writing will steadily improve as they receive positive feedback while they gain and strengthen necessary writing skills.

Grading writing is not overwhelming because you are given guidance as you teach. You are provided all the information that you need to grade each lesson.  With The Write Foundation system and checklists, grading writing is straightforward and painless.