Writing With the Class

When I assign a writing piece, I do the assignment too and show the class my drafts. It has created a whole new enthusiasm for writing. Students see my passion, they see that I can write bad stuff too, they see the need for several edits. It makes me vulnerable and more compassionate to the students.

For my next class, I will show my final draft of a personal narrative along with a color coded example of everything I wrote-red for all the cuts I made, green for additions to text, blue for the same text re-written or re-worked,yellow for student suggestions I took note of and implemented.

If anyone would like the color coded example just send me an email: pat.martinez@maeserprep.org

Object Lesson for Teaching Editing

I am currently focusing on writing in a writing workshop. Writer Tia Nevitt suggests a great way to understand the importance of cutting unnecessary words/paragraphs etc. from our work.
Bring in a favorite DVD that students love and know well. Go to the menu and show the deleted scenes option. Look for director commentary that illustrates the importance of cutting. Remind the students that they don't have to spend six figures in writing and cutting-allow students to interpret the clip toward their writing.

Grammar question

I can't even figure out how to look this one up, so of course I turn to your fabulous brains for help.

My husband just wrote the following sentence in a formal email:

"I've attached my resume in case either you or he needs a copy for reference."

Should that word in Italics be "needs" or "need?" (And did I put that question mark in the right place?) In other words, does a verb after nouns/pronouns joined by "or" agree with the first or second noun(/pronoun)?

I wait with baited breath on your brilliant responses. :) Thanks all, and hope you're having a great semester!