Teaching students to proof their writing

Purpose

Spelling, reading and writing are all parts of language learning. Spelling is a tool for writing. Reading and writing are crucial in the learning of spelling. Most spelling is learnt incidentally when students are exposed to the words in reading and when they see a need for the word in writing. Teaching students to edit and proofread their own work is one explicit way of teaching spelling.

Teaching points

Before students are asked to edit or proofread their own work, you should model the techniques. A list of standard proofreading symbols should be adopted throughout the school. Remember that editing is concerned with clarifying the meaning of a text; proofreading concentrates on the surface features of the text, primarily spelling and punctuation.

  • Ensure there is a purpose for the writing and therefore a need to edit and proofread.
  • To clarify meaning, students can read aloud to themselves, to each other or to you. Make sure that the students have read their writing more than once, either silently or to someone else.
  • Students can read with a ruler to focus on one line at a time.
  • Practice proofreading on unfamiliar texts to help concentrate on the surface features rather than the content.
  • Ensure that the resources and references in your classroom will meet the students' needs (e.g. a range of dictionaries, thesauruses, commonly used words, class theme words and grammar resources).
  • Ensure that students know how to use all the resources.
  • Develop class lists from proofreading sessions, including lists of problem words such as homonyms (e.g. fur, fir).
  • Assist students to develop personal proofreading resources where they list the words and concepts that cause them particular problems.

More information
PEN 124: Bean, W. Ways to teaching spelling. e:lit - the Primary English Teaching Association, Newtown
Nicoll-Hatton, V (2006) Writing (better) stories. e:lit - the Primary English Teachhing Association, Newtown
Peters, P (2003) The Cambridge Australian English Style Guide. Cambridge University Press