Labeling the sections of the writer's notebook helps writers stay organized.

A Well Worked Draft

 

This writer has been using the routines for revising and editing very well. Notice all the highlights, circled words, addition of more detail, and word counts to check punctuation and sentence fluency. This writer has taken this piece of writing as far as he can and invested a great deal of time and energy into creating quality writing. These habits are no accident. Rather, they are the result of modeling, guided practice and lots and lots of independent practice time.

Peer Feedback

 

Students who have had specific feedback modeled by their teachers are more prepared to offer meaningful feedback to peers.

Strengthening the Writing through Feedback

 

Once writers have built some stamina and are writing fuller pieces for longer periods of time, it is time to start pushing them to strengthen the craft and conventions of their writing. The left side of the notebook is still a great place for these comments.
Notice that the teacher has not simply corrected this writer's error in punctuating dialogue. Instead, she starts by noticing that dialogue makes the story this student is writing better. Young writers are far more likely to dedicate the work of editing a piece of writing they know is quality writing.
Also notice the example the teacher offers. Whenever this writer wants to use dialogue in a piece of writing, she has an example of how to punctuate it right in her notebook.

Teacher Comments Focus on Process, not Just Product

 

This 3rd grade writer has been working on developing stamina in order to create full pieces of writing. He has also been practicing a new editing routine of circling words when he is unsure of their spelling. This will keep him writing longer instead of spending all of writer's workshop thumbing through his spelling dictionary. It will also help him to write more conventionally by providing him a method for identifying spelling concerns.
Notice that the teacher's comments to this writer celebrate his use of the new editing routine and also encourage him to keep going. Early drafts need comments about what is working and what the writer is doing right.

A Writer Revises with the Left Side of the Paper