Think About It Exercise

Empowering Edits: Using Peer Editing in the Classroom

1. Identify 3 goals of peer-editing for each of the three categories below.

Need-to-Know:
__________________________________________________________

Nice-to-Know:
__________________________________________________________

Worthless:
_____________________________________________________________

2. Recall a time when you used peer collaboration in the classroom. What challenges
did you face? What surprised you?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

3. Recall a time when you used other peer collaboration tools in the classroom
(Google Docs, Voicethread, etc.) Did you feel that the method used was the most
effective way for students to collaborate? Why or why not?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Copyright 2009 THE MASTER TEACHER, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted from PDX PERT: Using Data to
Improve Teaching. Manhattan, KS: THE MASTER TEACHER, www.masterteacher.com. Purchasers of PDXPERT: Using
Data to Improve Teaching are hereby granted permission to adapt, reformat, reproduce, and distribute this document
and related graphics for private, noncommercial, and educational purposes onlynot for resale.


Next Day Follow-Up Email

Empowering Edits: Using Peer Editing in the Classroom

To: Teachers
From: Nicole Hinden
RE: Think About It Exercise

Thank you for your participation in yesterdays Empowering Edits

staff development program. Your contributions and insights will
help us improve our students writing ability and create a sense of
ownership in their achievement.

As we continue to improve school programs, please take a moment

to complete the attached Think About It Exercise. Each of you
holds the power to unlock the potential within yourself and among
your peers to make our team even stronger.

In the upcoming weeks, I will be sitting down with each department

to continue our conversation about using Peer Grade in our
classrooms. Notes from the Think About It Exercise will be used
to frame the discussion at these team meetings.

I am excited to have such a vast network of knowledge and

expertise right here in our own backyard. In addition to questions
about peer editing and PeerGrade, please bring any helpful advice
or suggestions you may have for your fellow teachers to the
upcoming meeting.

Sincerely,
Nicole Hinden

Copyright 2009 THE MASTER TEACHER, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted from PDX PERT: Using Data to
Improve Teaching. Manhattan, KS: THE MASTER TEACHER, www.masterteacher.com. Purchasers of PDXPERT: Using
Data to Improve Teaching are hereby granted permission to adapt, reformat, reproduce, and distribute this document
and related graphics for private, noncommercial, and educational purposes onlynot for resale.


One Week Follow-Up Email

Empowering Edits: Using Peer Editing in the Classroom

To: Teachers
From: Nicole Hinden
RE: Empowering Edits: Using Peer Editing in the Classroom

A week has passed since our professional development session on peer editing.
I am encouraged by the informal conversations Ive had with many of you
about what you have learned and experienced.

I will attend your next department/grade level meeting on November 10th to

continue our conversation and to begin utilizing the knowledge gained from
our professional development session.

Be sure to take a moment to complete the Think About It Exercise that I e-

mailed you last week. Bring this reflection sheet to our meeting. This document
will help guide our goal setting.

I look forward to these team meetings as we move from thinking to action.

Thought for the Day: Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learning as
you go.
E.L. Doctorow
Novelist

Sincerely,
Nicole Hinden

Copyright 2009 THE MASTER TEACHER, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted from PDX PERT: Using Data to
Improve Teaching. Manhattan, KS: THE MASTER TEACHER, www.masterteacher.com. Purchasers of PDXPERT: Using
Data to Improve Teaching are hereby granted permission to adapt, reformat, reproduce, and distribute this document
and related graphics for private, noncommercial, and educational purposes onlynot for resale.


Ready, Set, Go Planning Activity

Empowering Edits: Using Peer Editing in the Classroom

Getting Started:
This planning guide can be used by the principal to facilitate goal setting with
each department/grade level team. A format such as this enables a team to
have a productive meeting in about 40 minuteswhich is often all the time
available.

Setting the Stage:

Explain to the group that the purpose of todays meeting is to reinforce the
importance of peer editing and PeerGrade tools introduced in the professional
development session.

During the Meeting:

Have a recorder list thoughts/ideas on chart paper as you move through each
question. Be sure to stick with the proposed time limits to keep the meeting
flowing and focused.

1. What were some key thoughts you noted on your Think About It
Exercise? (5-8 minutes)

2. What new knowledge about peer editing have you gained since our
workshop? (3-5 minutes)

3. What chief challenges still exist for you or the department in

implementing peer editing through PeerGrade?(5-7 minutes)

4. What are some ways to resolve these challenges? (8-10 minutes)

Getting It Done:
Work with your department to choose one plan or program that you would
like to reform. Then, establish a time frame to implement Peergrade in a way
that meets the needs of your class. (12-15 minutes). Plan a time to submit your
suggestions to the department head or principal.

Copyright 2009 THE MASTER TEACHER, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted from PDX PERT: Using Data to
Improve Teaching. Manhattan, KS: THE MASTER TEACHER, www.masterteacher.com. Purchasers of PDXPERT: Using
Data to Improve Teaching are hereby granted permission to adapt, reformat, reproduce, and distribute this document
and related graphics for private, noncommercial, and educational purposes onlynot for resale.