Revision Week

This has been an interesing week in my classroom. Last week I held individual conferences with all of my students. I think conferences are very valuable, but they are exhausting, and at times frustrating as well. My students fill out a pre-conference worksheet, and they are supposed to come to their conference with a revision plan outlined on the worksheet, any specific questions about their draft, and questions they may have about the assignment, or writing in general.
Over half of my students came with the form, but they didn't fill it out, they had no plan for revision, and they came to the conference so I could "tell" them how to "fix' their draft. I have spent a good deal of time telling them that it is not my job to "fix" their writing, but rather to show them strategies to help with their writing, to offer suggestions along the way, and guide them in the right direction. I emphasize the point that they 'own" their work, so they are free to take my suggestions, or those of their peers and whether to use them in their drafts or not as they see fit. However, I strongly urge them to correct grammar, mechanical, and spelling errors that have been marked on their drafts.
This week I handed back their first papers, and over all most of them did well. We still need to work on the concept of revision, with many students just correcting grammar errors, etc. While I see the value in revision, and spending time on multiple drafts, I also realize that many of my students especially at UNCC, go to school full time, work full time, and have other obligations as well. I'm sure this is also true for many high school students. Many don't have time to submit multiple drafts, and are happy to receive a grade and move on.
I use a portfolio system, so they have until the last day of the semester to revise for a higher grade. I have found in the past that generally students who get a B and want an A will revise. Students with a C usually don't bother, and many students have such a poor concept of their writing skills that they are thrilled to get a C on a paper and think they've done well.