The 7-Criterion Peer-Editing Rubric — Reading Like an Editor

Video study: watch MG-12 (2:50-minute peer-edit model on a Grade-3 informational draft). Children note one move they noticed at each timestamp.

• Pause at each of the 7 criterion overlays
• Name what just happened
• Affirm specific observations from children

Today you become PEER EDITORS for informational writing. Last fall you learned the 6-MOVE PEER-EDIT PROTOCOL. This spring we add a RUBRIC — a check-off sheet that tells you exactly WHAT to look for. Look at MG-13. There are 7 CRITERIA. CRITERION 1 — INTRO HAS HOOK + TOPIC: does the introduction pull the reader in and name the topic clearly? CRITERION 2 — THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS WITH TDET: does each body paragraph have a topic sentence, a detail, an example, AND a transition? CRITERION 3 — TRANSITION WORDS AT PARAGRAPH OPENINGS: do body 2, body 3, and the conclusion start with a transition word? CRITERION 4 — TWO SOURCES CITED: are at least 2 sources named via paraphrase or quote? CRITERION 5 — SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT CONSISTENT: do verbs match subjects throughout? CRITERION 6 — VERB TENSE CONSISTENT: does each paragraph use one tense (or shift deliberately)? CRITERION 7 — CONCLUSION RESTATES + SO-WHAT: does the conclusion restate the big idea and add a so-what? For each, mark YES / PARTLY / NO and write a one-sentence quote or example. REMEMBER: you are a READER, not a RE-WRITER. The writer always picks up the pencil last.

• Notice the editor gives a specific, named suggestion. Not 'this is wrong' — 'here's a move you could try.'

  model CRITERION 3 — TRANSITION WORDS AT PARAGRAPH OPENINGS. Look at sample draft. Body 2 opens with 'Additionally, ...' YES. Body 3 opens with 'Honeybees also...' PARTLY (no transition word, just 'also' inside). Conclusion opens with 'In conclusion, ...' YES. Mark: 2 YES + 1 PARTLY. Note: 'Body 3 needs a transition word at the START — try Furthermore or In addition.'

  prompt Teacher models one criterion check on a sample draft.

• Name 3 of the 7 criteria.
• What is the rule about who picks up the pencil?

M-3-S-WR-19-A Chart

11x17 reproduction of MG-13: 7 criteria each with a check-off triplet (YES / PARTLY / NO) and a notes line. Criterion 1 INTRO HAS HOOK + TOPIC; Criterion 2 THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS WITH TDET; Criterion 3 TRANSITION WORDS AT PARAGRAPH OPENINGS; Criterion 4 TWO SOURCES CITED; Criterion 5 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT; Criterion 6 VERB TENSE CONSISTENT; Criterion 7 CONCLUSION RESTATES + SO-WHAT. Print-ready, dyslexic-friendly font.

MG-13 Chart Physical / non-image

7-criterion peer-editing rubric check-off sheet (print-ready 8.5x11, one per peer-edit cycle): 1. INTRODUCTION HAS HOOK + TOPIC. 2. THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS WITH TDET (topic-sentence + detail + example + transition). 3. TRANSITION WORDS AT PARAGRAPH OPENINGS. 4. TWO SOURCES CITED (paraphrase or quote, each with source name). 5. SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT CONSISTENT. 6. VERB TENSE CONSISTENT (one tense per paragraph). 7. CONCLUSION RESTATES BIG IDEA + CLOSES WITH A SO-WHAT. Each criterion has a checkbox (yes / partly / no), a notes line, and a one-sentence quote/example space.

• Pair up. Swap drafts. Apply the 7-criterion rubric to your partner's draft. Mark each criterion YES / PARTLY / NO with a one-sentence quote or note.

  scaffold MG-13 rubric sheet + green pencil + MG-12 video as reference if needed
• Peer-edit conversation: present your rubric to your partner. For each PARTLY or NO, offer one named revision move suggestion.

  scaffold MG-17 revision-moves anchor at every table
• Writer picks up the pencil and decides ONE revision to make based on the rubric.

  scaffold Writer's notebook

• Show your partner-completed rubric.
• Name ONE revision you decided to make as the writer based on the rubric feedback.

• Thank your peer editor.
• Predict: tomorrow we apply the rubric to our own drafts before publication.

• Tonight, apply ONE of the rubric criteria to your own draft. Mark YES/PARTLY/NO. Bring back the rubric tomorrow.