Writing and the Importance of Feedback

One thing that I always share with my teacher candidates is the importance of providing feedback (and in a timely manner).  If we, as teachers, aren't going to read, respond, and provide feedback (not always a grade) to our students...then we shouldn't assign it!  

One thing that I find helpful in this chart is the alternative ways that we can respond, which are more direct and explicit, and help students, rather than generic statements that offer little.

The top of this chart says it all:  teach the writer, not the writing!