Changes to class writing program after starting ALL

After reflecting on what was working well with my ALL writing intervention, and then talking to the remainder of the class about what they would like to see changed in their writing, I have made a change to the current writing procedure.  Now all students write in purple pen instead of pencil, when they are working with the teacher in writing.  Students will continue to write in blue pen during follow up work so that teacher and independent sessions can still be differentiated. 

This decision was made because the students said they found it frustrating when they had to rub out their mistakes all the time because they have to have their pencil work all correct.  By rubbing out their pencil work, it also didn't show their proof-reading or editing changes which are an important part of the writing process.

The second reason for the change is to celebrate proof-reading and editing changes.  At present, there seems to be a real negative connotation about proof-reading and editing because students think it makes their work look messy and highlights all the things that they have done wrong.  Instead I have spent time developing a change in their thinking so that students see all the changes as a sign of excellence and that the changes should be celebrated.  The improvements to their work also show that they are following the writing process, and are reflecting and improving their own work.  By writing only in pen now, it reinforces that the changes made during guided teaching sessions are a sign of improvement and excellence, rather than the negative connotations that rubbing all of their errors out were creating.