Duration 25–35 minutes
Grouping Pairs (Helper + Writer)
Strategy Collaboration
Materials
- Student drafts
- Helper prompt cards
Teacher Instructions
- Pair students. Assign roles: one is the Writer, the other is the Helper.
- The Writer shares their current draft and explains what they are working on and where they are stuck.
- The Helper reads the draft and asks probing questions to help the Writer think through their ideas.
- The Helper suggests improvements but does NOT write for the Writer – the Writer does all the writing.
- Students switch roles and repeat.
Teaching Tips
- The key rule: the Helper must not write anything on the Writer's text.
- This teaches students to articulate their writing problems and think through solutions.
- Encourage Helpers to ask "why" questions to deepen the Writer's thinking.
Student Handout
Work with your partner to improve your writing. The Helper asks questions and suggests improvements. The Writer does all the writing.