Peer Review Process

Teacher: Ms. Kenya Akins

School: John R. Griffin Middle School

Grade Level: 8th Grade

Date: Friday, January 23, 2026

Unit: Mastering Professional Agendas (Lesson 4 of 5)

Duration: 45 minutes

Class Size: 30 students

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Lesson Overview

Students will engage in a peer review activity focusing on the clarity and professionalism of their "24-Hour Blueprint" agendas created in the previous lesson. Using Microsoft Word’s Track Changes and Comments features, students will provide constructive feedback to classmates, learning how collaborative editing tools enhance productivity and improve document quality.

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Common Core State Standards Alignment

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5
With some guidance and support, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1.A
Come prepared to discuss topics and texts, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas clearly.

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Learning Objectives ("I can" statements)

• I can use Microsoft Word’s Track Changes and Comments tools to give specific, actionable feedback on a professional agenda.
• I can explain how editing tools help improve clarity and professionalism in documents.
• I can accept or reject edits and comments thoughtfully to strengthen my own agenda.

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Success Criteria

• Students accurately activate and apply Track Changes and Comments in Word.
• Peer feedback consists of at least two suggested improvements and one constructive comment focused on agenda elements (clarity, layout, tone).
• Students use received feedback to refine their agendas and produce a polished, professional document saved as a PDF.

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Materials Needed

• Computers with Office 365 / Microsoft Word desktop installed
• Students' own "24-Hour Blueprint" agenda documents from previous lesson
• Projector or display screen for live demonstration
• Printed or digital checklist for peer review steps
• Teacher-prepared rubric for peer feedback quality (differentiated for self and peer evaluation)

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Lesson Procedure

Time	Activity	Details & Differentiation Strategies
0-5 min	Introduction & Objective Review	- Briefly recap "24-Hour Blueprint" objectives and today's focus on collaborative editing. - Display “I can” statements. - Use dyslexia-friendly font and high-contrast projector settings for accessibility. - Pose an engaging question: "Why is feedback important in professional settings?"
5-12 min	Mini-Demo: Track Changes & Comments	- Teacher models turning on Track Changes and inserting Comments in a sample agenda. - Highlight important editing etiquette: specificity, positivity. - Show how to accept or reject changes. - Students follow along on their devices. - Offer step-by-step written guide for students who benefit from visual support.
12-35 min	Peer Review Activity	- Students swap files digitally using a shared folder or USB drives. - Each student opens a peer’s agenda. - They make 2 improvement suggestions using Track Changes and add 1 comment explaining their reasoning. - Encourage use of professional language. - Teacher circulates for support. - Advanced learners can try using “Compare Documents” to identify changes or write summary feedback. - Provide quiet workspace or noise-cancelling headphones for students who need focus accommodations.
35-42 min	Reflection & Revision	- Students return to their own agendas. - Review edits and comments from peers. - Accept or reject changes thoughtfully. - Make final tweaks for clarity, professionalism, and visual appeal. - Save final agenda as PDF. - Teacher provides checklist to track completion. - Offers extra time or preview for students who require assistive technologies like screen readers.
42-45 min	Exit Ticket + Wrap-Up	- Quick written prompt: “What is one new thing I learned about collaboration and editing today?” - Collect exit tickets as formative assessment. - Praise effort and professionalism. - Preview Friday’s unit closure on collaborative editing tools (Comments + Final Touches).

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Differentiation Strategies

• For Diverse Learners:

  • Provide step-by-step guides and visual aids for using Word’s features.
  • Pair ELL students with buddies or provide sentence starters for feedback comments.
  • Use speech-to-text tools for students who struggle with typing.
  • Dyslexia-friendly fonts and background colors on screens.

• For Advanced Learners:

  • Challenge students to add advanced comments about document organization or suggest alternate layout improvements.
  • Encourage experiment with “Compare Documents” feature to analyze changes.

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Extension Activities

• Create a Video Tutorial: Students record a short screencast showcasing how to use Track Changes and Comments.
• Peer Review Reflection Journal: Write a paragraph on how peer feedback impacted the final agenda and describe strategies for giving effective critiques in future professional settings.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observation during peer review; quality of Track Changes edits and Comments (using rubric).
• Summative: Final polished agenda submitted as PDF incorporating peer feedback.

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Ms. Akins, this lesson plan blends the essential Common Core State Standards with practical technology skills vital for your 8th graders’ productivity and professional communication. The paced, scaffolded activities ensure all learners engage meaningfully while gaining real-world tools to excel beyond the classroom. This approach transforms peer review into a powerful skill-building experience, guided by clear criteria and thoughtful differentiation.