Students eagerly read their reader's comments and are motivated to write more and better. The writers are students at Edison High School in Northeast Minneapolis. For this program, ALL students write, so some of the writing a reader will encounter may be poor while some may be quite good. Usually students choose their own topic to write about and are required to follow basic good writing practices, such as turning in a rough draft along with the final one, which is the one mailed to the reader. For the reader this takes about 20 minutes a week for the school year, October through mid-May.
Students love to receive their writings back with comments from their reader.
Not only do they enjoy the process, but it's good for them. Teachers, parents and readers notice the increased writing fluency and ability of students who have participated in the Designated Reader Program. And, readers find the experience very rewarding as they develop a bond with their students and experience the pleasure of seeing improvement in their students' writing. They truly do make a difference in their young writers' lives. Make a difference in a young person's life.