3/3/16 If you need to print your rough draft tell Ms. Smith IMMEDIATELY - you should have done this already  Turn in the “Barbara Frietchie” work if you haven’t already done so- if you still need to finish it, do it tonight because it won’t be accepted after tomorrow Make sure you have your rough draft, 3 (three) clean sheets of notebook paper, and something to write with

Praise, question, suggest! A process that really works!

Why p.q.s.? There is 1 of me; there are 130 of you. As much as I want to, I cannot personally revise each of your writing pieces. You become better writers when you help others revise. You learn to revise your OWN writing through the PQS process.

There are rules– you have to trust me! Each member of the group must share his or her draft (or designated section), even if incomplete, unless given prior permission by the teacher not to do so. Every group member must respond in writing and verbally to the author. Members should respond one at a time and listen respectfully to all members of the PQS group. The author is allowed only one excuse or apology for his or her writing. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That is, don’t say anything about an author’s writing that you wouldn’t want them to say about yours.

There is a process– you have to trust me! The author should read his or her draft aloud TWICE, allowing about one minute between readings for responders to jot initial notes. Responders should LISTEN ONLY during the first reading of a draft, then jot initial impressions. Responders may jot additional notes during and after the second reading of the draft. Notes should be jotted phrases, not complete sentences. Each responder will take turns sharing PRAISES ONLY first. After all praises have been shared, responders will then take turns asking their QUESTIONS. The author may or may not choose to respond to these questions orally.

There is a process– you have to trust me! The responders will share their SUGGESTIONS for improving or polishing the piece last. The author may or may not choose to respond to these suggestions orally. The responders will give the author their jotted notes so that the author may refer to them later. It is the group’s responsibility to keep the conversation focused on the author’s writing. If conversation is allowed to stray off course, all members will not have time to share and hear responses to their writing.

Today’s focus: intro paragraph Is the lead engaging to the reader? Does the lead transition smoothly to the claim, or is the claim just kind of “stuck on” to the lead? Is the claim STRONG and easy to understand?