Free Editing Checklists for K-5 Learners

If you’re teaching writing with the writing process model of Writing Workshop, then you’ll want to grab these FREE Editing Checklist for K-5 Learners.

 

*This post contains affiliate links.
**The free downloads can be found at the END of this post. Just click on the teal download button.

Free Editing Checklists for K-5 Learners

Once learners have drafted and revised their writing, they’re ready to edit it. It is vitally important that learners understand WHAT they need to edit though. Having an editing checklist can be super helpful for all learners.

Because I’m teaching a first grader this year and then a third and fourth grader, I knew that I couldn’t use the same exact editing checklist with everyone. And although I have a CUPS editing checklist, I felt it was time to make a fresh one.

So, I created two separate checklists: 1- a checklist for Kindergarten through 2nd grade and 2- a checklist more for grades 3rd-5th. Both are in the download at the end of this post.

 

 

K-2 Editing Checklist

The K-2 checklist includes:

1. I read my writing four times. I encourage learners to read their writing out loud. You might have them whisper read, read to a buddy, or use a whisper phone. Reading out loud can help learners listen for parts that do not make sense. I still use it as a writer now!

2. All of my sentences make sense.

3. I used space in between my words.

4. I used capital letters in the right spots. At the beginning of sentences, proper nouns, etc.

You might like our CHIPS Capital Letter Graphic Organizer to help kids know where capital letter should go.

5. I used punctuation marks.

6. I fixed all my spellings. As learners are brainstorming and drafting, I encourage them to underline words if they aren’t sure they spelled them correctly. I teach them to address those first and then check other words from their spelling folder . {We use our Kindergarten Spelling Folder or our 1st/2nd Grade Spelling Folder…both FREE to download!}

 

3-5 Editing Checklist

The 3-5 Editing Checklist includes:

1. I read my writing four times. Yes, I think reading aloud is STILL very helpful for 3-5 learners!! There’s nothing magical about four times. It could be five times. The idea is for learners to use their listening comprehension to check for understanding.

2. I wrote in complete sentences. Complete sentences should share a complete thought. They should also not be run-on sentences.

3. I started each sentence with a capital letter.

4. All proper nouns are capitalized. Again, learners might like our CHIPS Capital Letter Graphic Organizer as a reminder of what kinds of words are proper nouns.

5. I used punctuation marks. Learners at this age should also be held accountable for commas and quotation marks, if you’ve taught them.

6. I fixed all my spellings.

Feel free to use our 3rd-5th Grade Spelling Folder to keep track of spelling common sight words {FREE to download}. My 4th grader also uses a children’s dictionary to correct the words he’s underlined while drafting.

 

Learners check off their list as they edit their work. {Laminate them or slip them into a dry erase pocket to make them reusable with a dry erase marker.}

 

 

You Might Like our helpful Writing Process Resource Pack!

 

 

 

 

Enjoy teaching!
~Becky