Good writers read their writing back before they say “done.” Use everything you’ve learned: capital letters, end marks, names and tricky words.
Key idea
Read your writing back, aloud if you can. Check capitals, spaces, end marks and spelling.
Why it works
When you write, your mind is busy with ideas. When you read it back, you see what is really on the page. Reading aloud helps most: your ear catches what your eye misses.
Worked example: Check a sentence
“today Leo and I ate lunch outside”
- Start: today needs a capital: Today.
- Names and I: Leo and I are fine.
- End: it tells something, so it needs a period.
Answer: “Today Leo and I ate lunch outside.”
Common mistake
Saying “I’m done” without reading the writing back. Reading it aloud, slowly, catches most mistakes.
For the grown-up. Let your child be the one to find the mistakes. Instead of pointing to them, you can say “I see two things to fix in this line” and let them hunt.