“Welcome to our very first Fix-It Friday,” Mr. Acevedo said after CC on Friday. “Fix-It Fridays are all about editing.”
Everyone groaned. I groaned the loudest. I can’t stand editing and revising.
“Hold on,” Mr. Acevedo said. “I used to feel the same way. I used to H-word revising and editing, but I don’t anymore. So my goal is to change the way you feel about revising and editing.”
I felt Red’s bouncing knees.
Mr. Acevedo picked up a manila folder from his desk and removed a stack of paper. “Back when I was in school—”
“Was that during the Jurassic Period, Teach?” Declan called out.
Mr. Acevedo smiled. “Nice one, Declan. As your reward, why don’t you distribute these?” He put the papers in front of him.
Here’s what Declan handed out:
Friday, December, 12
Dear, Parents, Students and Familys:
We are all deepily saddened by the recent news out of the Domenican Republic. Tropical storm Odette cause millions of dollars in damages and destroyed thousands of homes. Because the storm struck just before the holiday season makes it even more troubling.
In order to help those familys in need we will be holding and food and clothing drive. Please bring caned goods and clothing to the school cafateria on Monday December, 15.
Thank you for your supprot and happy holidays.
Sincerly,
Riley Wilson
Principal
I checked Red. He was hunched forward and pinky-thumbing both thighs. I looked at the door, hoping Ms. Yvonne would suddenly appear, even though I knew she wouldn’t.
“You okay?” I whispered.
He squinted his eyes.
I put my hand on his knee.
“Back when I was in school,” Mr. Acevedo said, “a tropical storm struck the Dominican Republic, Tropical Storm Odette. My school had a large Dominican population, so the principal organized a food and clothing drive and sent out a letter to the community.”
“Is this the letter, Mr. A.?” Danny asked.
“It is.” Mr. Acevedo waved the paper. “Now this principal wasn’t the best writer. I don’t fault that. Not everyone writes well. But I do fault not editing and checking over your work. There’s no excuse for that. When your name goes on something, you review it. The letter the principal sent out to the community was littered with errors. So you know what my teacher did?”
“She corrected it,” Grace said.
“Close. She had us correct it, the class. In fact, she had us correct all of the principal’s letters that year. So for this first Fix-It-Friday assignment, you’re editing the Tropical Storm Odette letter. You’re doing the same assignment I did.”
“Can we work with someone?” Attie asked.
“You can work with a partner if you like.”
I took my hand off Red’s knee and held out my fist.
He gave it a pound.