Student Writing Portfolios - Step Three

So, you've decided on a writing style and skills to practice.  Super! You have administered a writing assignment.  Terrific!  What's next?
The next step is to have the student read his work and look for ways to improve or revise what he has written.  Anyone can improve something when it comes to writing. Now this can be done the same day, but I suggest you wait a day or two.  Allow the writer to look at the work with "fresh eyes" after having put it down a day or two.   
For years I have taught students to S.T.A.R their papers. Someone had shared this with me a long time back, and it still works wonderfully well.  
S - substitute a dull word for a better one
T - take out words that aren't necessary and make the writing "wordy"
A - add in more description or detail, perhaps better vocabulary
R - rearrange any part that might be better suited before or after its placement
This is also a good time to start dating the progress on a Portfolio Record which should be kept in the Writing Portfolio.  Prentice-Hall has a great one. 
www.teachervision.com/creative-writing/portfolio-record?downloadpdf=print