Educators know that students learn by listening. They learn better by reading. They learn best by taking what they have been told or what they have read and weaving it into a written composition of their own creation.

• Have you ever assigned a paper to be turned in at the end of the grading period?
• Did some students write their paper the night before?
• Were many of the compositions very badly written?
• Was it one big evaluation headache for you?

Many educators feel they lack the expertise to help their students become better writers. Time is also a factor. Simply changing your writing assignment to a Process Approach rather than a Product Approach will encourage your students to produce better papers.

It is not the purpose of this Teaching Referenece to layout this Process Approach; however, may I suggest you explore the 6-Trait Writing Process at some of these excellent sites:

• NW Regional Educational Laboratory (the official 6-Trait Writing Site) - http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/department.asp?d=1
• InterActive Six-Trait Writing Process - http://senior.billings.k12.mt.us/6traits/content/index.htm 6-Trait Writing (your students can publish here) - http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/staff/ljancola/6Trait/6-trait.html
• ReadingLady.com (FREE posters for your classroom are available for printing here) - http://www.readinglady.com/6_Trait_Writing/6_trait_writing.html

It is the purpose of this Teaching Reference to give you some general editing skills and some group editing skills to share with your students.