Level 1 • Lesson 33 — Editing my writing for mistakes

Objective

I can edit a short sentence by checking for capital letters, spaces between words, and ending punctuation, and fix simple mistakes with help.

Materials

Pencil and eraser
Two colors of pencil or pen (for circling and fixing)
Small notebook or a few pages of ruled paper
Tracing Pad (below)

Remind children that editing is a kind, calm step in writing. We fix the sentence, not the person.

Mini-lesson — What does it mean to edit?

When you edit, you look back at your writing to find and fix mistakes.

Good editors look for:

Capitals: Does each sentence start with a capital letter? Are names capitalized?
Spaces: Can you see clear spaces between words?
End marks: Does each sentence end with a period or question mark?

Editors also reread their sentence and ask:

Does this sentence make sense?
Did I say what I really meant?

Example of editing a sentence:

Rough: i like to read books
Edited: I like to read books.

Editing does not have to be perfect. Children just practice finding one or two things to fix each time.

Picture strip: "Edit with a checklist"

Guided Practice — Edit simple sentences

Use the Tracing Pad to warm up with editing words. Then use the rough sentences printed here so you and your grown-up do not have to make them up.

Editing practice sentences (rough):

Sentence A: i have a new puppy
Sentence B: we went to the park yesterday
Sentence C: can you help me with homework

Warm up on the Tracing Pad:
Trace words like capital, period, space, question, check, and edit while you say, "Capital, spaces, end mark."
Choose one rough sentence:
With your grown-up, pick Sentence A, B, or C from the list above. Read it out loud together.
Copy the rough sentence:
On ruled paper, copy the rough sentence exactly as it is written (even with the mistakes).
Circle what to fix:
With a different color, circle:
- the first letter that needs a capital,
- any missing end mark,
- any part where the sentence does not look or sound right.
Write the edited sentence:
On the next line, write the fixed sentence neatly. Start with a capital letter, keep clear spaces, and add a period or question mark.
- Sentence A could become: I have a new puppy.
- Sentence B could become: We went to the park yesterday.
- Sentence C could become: Can you help me with homework?
Reread together:
Read your edited sentence out loud with your grown-up. Ask this checklist out loud: "Capital? Spaces? End mark? Does it make sense?"

It is okay if you only fix one or two mistakes in each sentence. The goal is to practice using a simple editing checklist, not to be perfect.

Tracing Pad

Lines Trace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Choose the better edited sentence

Each set shows a rough sentence and three choices. Drag the sentence that is edited best into the box.

On the device:
Read the rough sentence. Look at the three choices. Drag the sentence that has a capital letter, clear spaces, and a correct end mark into the empty box.

On paper:
Choose three sets you finished. Write the rough sentence and the edited sentence on your paper. Circle what changed.

Sentence 1 — Rough: i went to the park with anna

I went to the park with Anna. i went to the park with anna I went to the Park with anna

Sentence 2 — Rough: We played tag it was fun

We played tag. It was fun. We played tag it was fun we played tag it was fun

Sentence 3 — Rough: i am reading a new book

I am reading a new book. i am reading a new Book I am reading a new book

Sentence 4 — Rough: can we go to the library

Can we go to the library? can we go to the library? Can we go to the library.

Sentence 5 — Rough: thank you for helping me love mia

Thank you for helping me. Love, Mia. Thank you for helping me love mia. thank you for helping me. love mia

Quick Check — Editing my writing for mistakes

Answer each question about editing sentences. This is a gentle 10-question check.

What does it mean to edit your writing?

To draw pictures on every page To look for mistakes and fix them To hide your work so no one can see it

What should every sentence start with?

A capital letter A tiny scribble A question mark

Why do we need spaces between words?

So the page looks full So the letters touch each other So we can tell where one word ends and the next starts

Which mark goes at the end of a telling sentence?

A comma A period A star drawing

When do you use a question mark?

When your sentence asks something When your sentence tells something When you draw a picture

Which word should start with a capital letter?

puppy book mia

How can you check if your sentence makes sense?

Cover it with your hand Read it out loud to yourself or an adult Draw shapes over the words

What is a good way to edit a sentence on paper?

Circle mistakes and rewrite the sentence correctly Tear the page out of your notebook Color over all the words

Which checklist is most helpful for editing?

Shoes, backpack, snack Color, size, price Capitals, spaces, end marks

How should you feel when you edit your writing?

Calm and ready to fix a few things Angry at every mistake Silly so you cannot see the words

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Can explain that editing means looking for mistakes and fixing them Notices when a sentence needs a capital letter at the start Notices when names need capital letters Checks for clear spaces between words Adds or corrects end marks (period or question mark) on simple sentences Can improve a rough sentence when given two or three choices Rereads edited sentences out loud to check that they make sense

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can find and fix simple mistakes in my sentences. 🙂 I can edit with help, but I want more practice. 😅 Editing still feels a bit tricky.

Next time I will…

Check for a capital at the start of each sentence Look for clear spaces between my words Add a period or question mark at the end Reread my sentence out loud before I say I am finished

Lesson 33: Editing my writing for mistakes