Grade 4 Fall — Persuasive/Argument Writing, Compound-Complex Sentences, Relative Clauses, and Modal Auxiliaries
Lesson 19 55 min eng.g4.f.lesson_19.peer_edit_8_criterion

8-Criterion Peer-Editing Rubric — Read, Mark, Confer

Skills targeted
Objectives
  • Students apply the 8-criterion rubric to a partner's persuasive draft.
  • Students lead a 3-move revision conference from the rubric findings.
Vocabulary
peer-editingrubriccriteriaconferencerevision move

Lesson plan

Warm-up

7 min

Show MG-12 video (3:20) of a G4 peer-edit using the 8-criterion rubric.

Teacher moves
  • Pause at each criterion overlay (8 stops)
  • Children whisper to partner what they notice
  • Affirm criteria as they appear on screen
Media
M-4-F-WR-19-B Video Physical / non-image

Reproduction of MG-12 at 3:20 min: 2 Grade-4 children working through 8 criteria on a draft, with timestamped overlays at each criterion (0:00 INTRO, 0:25 CREEL, 0:50 LINK-BACK, 1:15 COMPOUND-COMPLEX, 1:40 MODAL, 2:05 RELATIVE CLAUSE, 2:30 CONFUSED-WORDS+TITLE-CAPS, 2:55 CONCLUSION). Captioned. Multicultural cast.

MG-12 Video Physical / non-image

3:20-minute peer-edit model using the 8-criterion rubric on a Grade-4 argument draft: timestamped overlays at each criterion (0:00 INTRO HAS HOOK+CONTEXT+CLAIM, 0:25 CREEL IN 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS, 0:50 LINK-BACK TRANSITIONS, 1:15 ≥1 COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE, 1:40 MODAL PRECISION, 2:05 ≥1 RELATIVE CLAUSE, 2:30 CONFUSED-WORDS + TITLE CAPS, 2:55 CONCLUSION LINKS BACK). Real-feel classroom; both children visibly use the MG-13 rubric check-off sheet.

Direct instruction

13 min

Today you become a PEER EDITOR. Your job is to be a READER, not a re-writer. You apply the 8-criterion rubric (MG-13) to your partner's draft. For each criterion, mark YES / PARTLY / NO, write a one-line specific note (quote or example), and suggest ONE named revision move for any PARTLY or NO. The 8 criteria: 1. INTRO has hook + context + thesis-claim. 2. THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS with CREEL. 3. LINK-BACK TRANSITIONS at paragraph openings. 4. AT LEAST ONE COMPOUND-COMPLEX sentence. 5. MODAL-AUXILIARY PRECISION (varied). 6. AT LEAST ONE RELATIVE CLAUSE. 7. CONFUSED-WORDS + TITLE-CAPS correct. 8. CONCLUSION links back to claim + addresses so-what. After marking, you confer briefly with the writer. The WRITER picks up the pencil last. You do NOT re-write the draft.

Key examples
  • Be SPECIFIC. Quote the writer's words. Suggest a NAMED move from MG-17.
    model Marks: Criterion 1 PARTLY (context missing — 'I noticed your hook and your thesis, but I didn't see a context sentence — what's happening NOW in our school?'); Criterion 4 NO (no compound-complex — 'Try adding one. Maybe: "Although the weather is cold, students still focus better, and teachers agree."'). Conference: 'Your hook is strong. Your claim is clear. Two suggestions: add a context sentence between hook and thesis, and try one compound-complex.' Writer decides which to act on.
    prompt Teacher models a peer-edit conference with one anonymous draft.
Checks for understanding
  • Which criterion is hardest to get right?
  • What does the peer-editor NOT do?
Media
M-4-F-WR-19-A Chart
Reproduction of MG-13 at 11x17: 8 criteria with YES/PARTLY/NO checkboxes, notes line, and quote/example space. Print-rea

Reproduction of MG-13 at 11x17: 8 criteria with YES/PARTLY/NO checkboxes, notes line, and quote/example space. Print-ready, dyslexic-friendly font.

MG-13 Chart Physical / non-image

8-criterion peer-editing rubric check-off sheet (print-ready 8.5x11, one per peer-edit cycle): 1. INTRODUCTION HAS HOOK + CONTEXT + THESIS-CLAIM. 2. THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS WITH CREEL (claim-reason + evidence + elaboration + link). 3. LINK-BACK TRANSITION WORDS AT PARAGRAPH OPENINGS. 4. AT LEAST ONE COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE. 5. MODAL-AUXILIARY PRECISION (varied; no overuse of one). 6. AT LEAST ONE RELATIVE CLAUSE. 7. CONFUSED-WORDS USED CORRECTLY + TITLE CAPITALIZED PROPERLY. 8. CONCLUSION LINKS BACK TO CLAIM + ADDRESSES SO-WHAT. Each criterion has a checkbox (yes / partly / no), a notes line, and a one-sentence quote/example space.

Guided practice

22 min
Tasks
  • Exchange drafts with partner. Apply the 8-criterion rubric. Mark each YES/PARTLY/NO with a specific note.
    scaffold MG-13 sheet; peer-edit conversation card
  • Hold a 5-minute conference. Suggest 2-3 named moves. Writer decides.
    scaffold Conference card; 5-min timer

Formative assessment

3 min
Exit ticket
  • Hand in completed 8-criterion sheet for partner's draft.
  • Writer names 2 moves they will act on from the conference.
scoring All 8 criteria marked with notes + 2 writer-decisions = mastery; partial = practicing; missing = reteach.

Closure

Moves
  • Star the criterion you found most useful.

Homework

10 min
Tasks
  • Act on 2 of your peer's suggested moves at home tonight. Bring revised draft tomorrow.

Exercises in this lesson

eng.g4.f.ex_37
Apply the 8-criterion rubric to your partner's persuasive draft. Mark YES / PARTLY / NO with a one-line specific note for each. Suggest...
 peer edit 8 criterion · diff 4
eng.g4.f.ex_38
After your peer-edit conference, name 2 moves from the conference you will ACT ON. Frame: 'I will ___ because the rubric criterion ___.'
 writer response to peer · diff 3

Differentiation

Scaffolds
  • MG-13 sheet at every desk
  • Conference card with sentence frames
  • Pair-grouping for shared peer-editing
Extensions
  • Apply rubric to a SECOND partner's draft.
  • Apply rubric to a published mentor-text (e.g., Sofia Valdez excerpt) and see what would 'pass' the rubric.
English Learners
  • Bilingual MG-13
  • Conference frames in home language
  • Audio replay of conference model
Ieps 504s
  • Reduced target: 5 of 8 criteria
  • Adult mediator at conference
  • Mark-only on rubric, no verbal conference

Teacher notes

Peer-editing is the social heart of the workshop. Watch for two failure modes: (1) peer just says 'looks good' (mark YES on everything to be nice) — push for HONEST marking; (2) peer re-writes the partner's draft — STOP and remind: writer picks up pencil last. The MG-12 video model is essential — show it again on week 14 mid-cycle. The 8-criterion rubric is the same rubric used in the end-unit assessment, so children get repeated practice. By week 18 publication, every child has been peer-edited 2-3 times.