Steal This Idea

STEAL THIS IDEA: Revision “Telephone”

August 20, 2014

Last Updated on by Jane Higgins

Revision “telephone” can help students to change the wording of lines or sections of their writing that they’re having trouble saying the way they want to say them.  Students should select a sentence from their writing that is giving them difficulty.  They read the line aloud and then they go around the circle, with each student changing the way the sentence is written/said but keeping the meaning/essence in tact.  This allows the students to envision the different ways that their ideas can be stated and find the ones that are most powerful.  Analyze for where the meaning changes (for better or for worse) to make sure choices are purposeful.

This activity can be done in small groups or with the whole class.


 

Steal This Idea is a roundup of submissions from NYCWP-affiliated teachers; in this space you will have access to the ideas and innovations of a wide range of classroom teachers of all grades and content areas.  The title says it all: if you like an idea you find here, bring it to your own classroom and make it your own!

Steal This Idea started as a component of the NYCWP newsletter and has become an NYCWP tradition.  However, this tradition relies on you to help!  We need you to send us ideas that you would like the community to have the opportunity to steal.

  • Have you done something in your classroom recently that went really well?
  • Do you have a great idea for a lesson, unit or essential question?
  • What’s a foolproof activity that everyone should have in their tool kit?
  • What is your favorite thing that you do in your classroom?

Send us your ideas at newyorkcitywritingproject.org with the subject line “Steal This Idea” and you may see yourself featured in this section!