# Lesson 8: Edit and Improve Writing

✍️ WRITING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Writing with Structure

← Back to Level 3

## Objective

I can revise my writing with ARMS (Add, Remove, Move, Substitute) and edit with CUPS (Capitals, Usage, Punctuation, Spelling) to make my paragraph clear and correct.

## Materials

- Pencil ✏️ and eraser
- Ruled paper or tablet
- Tracing Pad (below)

Tip: Revise first to improve ideas and order, then edit to fix mechanics.

## Mini-lesson — ARMS & CUPS

1. ARMS (Revise): Add missing details, Remove off-topic parts, Move ideas for flow, Substitute stronger words.
2. CUPS (Edit): Capitals, Usage (is/are, was/were), Punctuation (., ? , ! , ,), Spelling.
3. Read aloud to hear what sounds unclear or choppy.
4. Stay on topic: Every sentence should connect to the main idea.
5. One change at a time: Revise → then edit → then final read.

Video won’t be included when printing.

## Guided Practice — From Rough to Ready

Start with this rough paragraph about classroom plants. Use ARMS to revise, then CUPS to edit.

rough draft: we have a plant in our class it sits in the corner. the leaves look sad. my friend waters it sometimes and we forget. the plant is cool because it is green and tall. we put it by the window yesterday.

1. Add one detail that explains why the plant needs light or water.
2. Remove any word that repeats without helping.
3. Move sentences to make a better order (problem → actions → result).
4. Substitute stronger words for sad and cool.
5. Now apply CUPS to fix capitals and end marks.

Use the pad to draft your improved version.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Letter
Pen

## Drag & Drop — Choose the Best Fix

Build sentences or choose the right improvement. Keep punctuation at the end.

The leaves looked droopy and dry.
We moved the plant to the sunny window.
First we watered it then we watched the soil soak.
We forget sometimes so we made a watering chart.
On Monday Maria checked the soil and light.
By Tuesday the plant perked up again.
We gave it water light and care.
Because the leaves were droopy we checked the window.
Next we set a reminder to water after lunch.
Small changes helped our class plant grow strong.
It needs light and water to stay healthy.
Now our corner looks brighter and alive.

## Quick Check (15 questions)

#### 1) In ARMS, “S” stands for…

Separate Simplify Substitute

#### 2) Which is part of CUPS?

Capitals Characters Chapters

#### 3) Which sentence should be removed in a plant paragraph?

The plant needs sunlight. My shoe is blue. We watered the plant yesterday.

#### 4) Best stronger word for “cool plant”:

healthy thing stuff

#### 5) Which order improves flow?

result → cause → action detail → topic → closing problem → actions → result

#### 6) Choose correct usage:

The leaves is dry. The leaves are dry. The leaves be dry.

#### 7) “Add a reason” is which part of ARMS?

Add Move Substitute

#### 8) Which punctuation ends a telling sentence?

? . !

#### 9) Which sentence uses capitals correctly?

we helped the plant on monday. We helped the Plant on monday. We helped the plant on Monday.

#### 10) Best revision for “sad leaves”:

droopy leaves nice leaves things on plant

#### 11) Reading aloud helps you…

write faster hear mistakes and rough spots memorize the page

#### 12) Which is a strong closing idea?

add a new topic list three facts restate and give a final thought

#### 13) Choose correct spelling:

window windo windoe

#### 14) Which step belongs to editing, not revising?

add an example fix commas and periods move a sentence

#### 15) Best order for improvement:

Revise → Edit → Final read Edit → Final read → Revise Final read → Revise → Edit

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student used ARMS to improve ideas and order Student applied CUPS to fix mechanics Paragraph stays on topic and reads smoothly Final read shows clear improvements

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I revised with ARMS and edited with CUPS 🙂 I need more practice choosing what to remove 😅 Stronger words were tricky to find

#### I will practice…

Reading aloud and fixing one thing at a time Substituting stronger verbs/adjectives Checking capitals and end marks
Lesson 9 →