The new issue of Learning magazine is hitting the mail, and in it you’ll find an interview with children’s author Rachel Vail. I won’t spill the details, but one thing that Rachel says is that the hardest part of her job is the first 19 or 20 drafts of a book—then after that it gets fun. Wow!
I have three of Rachel’s books to give away in this week’s random drawing: A Is for Elizabeth (love that title!), Big Mouth Elizabeth, and Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters. If you’d like a chance to win, submit a comment to our blog to let us know how many rewrites your students typically do. Bet they’ll be stunned to find out how many Rachel does! Submit your comment by Thursday, October 10, to be included in the drawing. Good luck! Congratulations to our lucky winner Deena Powers!
Here are some great opportunities to check out this week, no revision required.
The Bee Grant from the Whole Kids Foundation provides grants for educational beehives. Intrigued? Buzz on over to wholekidsfoundation.org/programs. The deadline is October 15.
Do you know an outstanding librarian? Nominate him or her for the I Love My Librarian Award. It’s worth $5,000! Get the forms at ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian.
Mix It Up at Lunch Day encourages students to cross social boundaries and connect with someone new. The official Mix It Up at Lunch Day is October 22, but you can observe the event any day—or even multiple times throughout the year. Register now and receive a free set of posters at tolerance.org/mix-it-up.
The interview with Rachel Vail also includes a sneak peek at her new book, due out this spring. Check it out!
|
|
| Karen |
PS: Just posted! We have new freebies and prizes at learningmagazine.com. Click here.
Typically when writing a story, they do at least 4 rewrites.
Not enough!! It depends if it is a published piece for a grade, typically 2-3.
We definitely need to step it up a notch – they usually only do 2-3.
Rewriting is an essential part of the work. I let students rewrite 5 times.
I try to have them rewrite 2-3 times, but sometimes getting 1 is an accomplishment.
Absolutely agree Brian! Some days that’s all I get!
As often as students want to, but a minimum of 2 times for lower elementary.
Students in my class typically do between 3-5 rewrites while adding to their original draft.
Usually 2 rewrites.
Usually just 2 rewrites
2 to 3 rewrites – seems we should work on this more.
I do not usually have my students do rewrites. I do they think they are very important but my Kindergarteners usually do worse rather than better.
I try for 3, but it’s like tooth extraction without anesthesia.
I don’t usually do rewrites due to age. My problem is sometimes they go on for quite a while
I don’t usually do rewrites due to age. My problem is sometimes they go on for quite a while
I hope for at least 2 rewrites but most of the time it is 1.
We usually only get 2. Some days, none.