A few studies have shown the benefits of older and younger children writing collaboratively. In an experimental study of emergent writers paired with older children experiencing difficulties with writing, Nixon and Topping (2001) found greater improvements of emergent writers who experienced the paired writing than for those who did not. A study of interactions among children writing in a multiage K-2 classroom (Chapman 1994b) found that the older (grade 2) children assisted the younger children with many aspects of writing, particularly spelling, and letter formation. The second graders also acted as teachers, socializing the younger ones onto the classroom routines, and "how to do writing" in their classroom. (Smagorinsky, 37)
When I divide my writing class for group work, I often pair the older writers with the younger writers. In this way, the older students help out the younger students in their writing. I tell students not to criticize or make fun of the younger students' writing, but I teach the students to give each other constructive criticism. I give students a list of questions they answer as they look over/correct each other's papers. I tell them that we are all one team and the goal of the team is to create a fun class book to show the other classes we can write.
With my younger elementary students, we create picture books with writing interspersed with pictures and art. I sometimes have students tell their own stories, write about something that happened to them, a fun trip with the family, a favorite book story, a book report, a favorite movie, a favorite hobby. Older students work together with the younger students to create fascinating and fun stories. Elementary school students love to work together and the students quickly become friends.
While I was working at a tutoring school I saw this exchange between a 2nd grader and a 1st grader, "Tim, this is your first time at the school. I am here to play teacher. I will help you write. Don't talk to strangers. You can only talk to the teachers at those tutoring tables. Don't worry, Tim, I will be here for you. Do as the teachers say and you can get more play time!" It was cute how the older student helped the younger student get acclimated to the tutoring school, and the older student looked so serious and adult. Children are really good at impersonating the adults in their lives. When I meet the kid's parents, I see where the kids get their 'adult mannerisms'. Having slightly older students take care of the younger students teaches children responsibility, team work and collaboration skills.
When I teach online, I have my online students peer edit each others' papers in the forums. Students post their rough drafts in the forums and other students comment on ways they can improve their paper. I give my online students a set of guideline questions to answer such as "Does the other student paper have a central thesis statement as the last sentence of the first paragraph? Does the essay have three parts, an introduction, body and conclusion? Do the body paragraphs support the thesis statement? What parts of the essay are weak? strong? What parts of the essay are your favorite? Just like with my elementary school students, I tell my online students to give constructive criticism and not to just make fun of or critique the other student's paper.
Smagorinsky, Peter. Research on Composition. Multiple Perspectives on Two Decades of Change
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