Have you been looking for information, ideas, or clarification on the Six Traits of Writing? Join us here, in the brand new Forget-Me-Not Room for an ongoing discussion of Six Trait Writing!
Many thanks to the PT editors for giving us our own meeting place!
We, too, are adopting Traits for DoDDS and as a goal for our SIP. We are in the processing of trying to figure out how to start training and where to go from here. I am glad we will all be starting this together as many heads are better than one. Thanks
Thanks, guys, but Joanna123 started the room, not me! I am just as greatful to her, too!
Now that our state test is over, I'll have more time to visit here! I am addicted!
The 6+1 Trait Writing "framework" is a way to learn and use a "common language" to refer to the characteristics of writing and to create a common vision of what 'good' writing looks like. Basically, all writing can be scored using an analytical rubric based on the six traits plus 1. The traits are the qualities of writing. All students at all levels can talk about their writing using this language. If you do writers workshop, you use the traits in prewrite (ideas, organization), draft (all the others), revise (improve fluency, word choice, voice), editing (conventions), publish (presentation). They go hand in hand!
Most state writing tests use rubrics based on the six traits.
What are the Six Traits + 1?
Ideas:The ideas are the heart of the message, the content of the piece, the main theme, together with the details that enrich and develop that theme. Organization:
Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, the logical and sometimes intriguing pattern of the ideas. Voice:
The voice is the heart and soul, the magic, the will, along with the feeling and conviction of the individual writer coming out through the words. Word Choice:
Word choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and enlightens the reader. Fluency:
Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language, the sound of work patterns, the way in which the writing plays to the ear - not just to the eye. Convention:
Conventions are the mechanical correctness of the piece - spelling, grammar and usage, paragraphing, use of capitals, and punctuation.
+1 Presentation:
Presentation zeros in on the form and layout of the text and its readability: the piece should be pleasing to the eye.
Thank you!!! Our district expects us to use Six Traits. I have seen marvelous things happen with writing when utilizing the traits with my second graders. I have trait lesson ideas and activities for traits, but knowing I have this source of support is awesome! I would like to learn how to integrate UOS with the traits.
Boy oh boy......I will be reading this post everyday.
Okay....Where to begin ??What book to purchase first? I am teaching third grade and would like to use six traits for next year. How do you grade by individual traits or as a whole?
I have many questions
Looking forward to learning all about The Six Traits plus 1
Thanks to everyone!
Six Traits can be used with any writing program. It is not necessarily a stand alone program. There are a number of books out there. I believe Ruth Cullum wrote one for Scholastic.
Okay, lets say I buy the Ruth C. book will it be easy to use? I would like to introduce it in September. Does anyone have lets say a unit of study for each trait? I have heard of Units of Study on this board and want to set up a binder of what to teach, when and how so that I am not all over the place year after year. I would like some sort of organization. How does everyone start and what beside the book should I invest in? I don't want to spend a lot of money, however, would like stronger writers in my class. Thanks in advance!
That is the best book to really get a handle on the traits with. Once you read it, and it is an easy read, truly, you'll have a better understanding of how to teach to the traits. You'll begin to see that it is a language----you use it all the time---you introduce the traits then do mini lessons on them depending on what traits your students seem to be having trouble with. I suggest you buy the book and then start planning. Just remember, the whole point is to teach what your students need at the time...it's not like unit a month type of thing. You will be able to make a collection of great lessons though for each trait. I suggest you get a three ring binder and section it off into 7 sections. Begin collecting picture books, lessons, and ideas in each section according to trait---not month.
Have fun. I do different things all the time depending on where my kids are struggling. Learn to have kids grade themselves and the work of others (no names). The books will give you samples to score and I love having my students tell us all why one got a 1, or a 4 or whatever. It's a great learning tool.
Oh, I think you are referring to Lucy Caulkins Units of Study for Writing Workshop. Six Traits is not a specific "program" like that. The Units of Study teach writing by genre, in units. The Traits is different.
I have off all next week. I am going to buy a three ring binder and start reading my new book. Do you teach smaller writing skills within the traits everyweek or daily? For example topic sentence, vivid verbs, show don't tell?? Silly questions I know however I am so tired of doing something totally different year after year and would like to finally feel comfortable with teaching writing for the NJASK testing
I teach lots of adjectives during Halloween and Onomatopoeia.
I teach topic sentences and concluding sentences in Sept and part of October and carried on adding one skill or focus every two weeks or so....I guess I do this with teaching all of the traits.
I know these questions sound silly. My students are pretty good writers, however, I need a system to keep my thoughts and procedures straight
Thank you!!!!!
I just realized that the link I posted "turned weird". I wonder why? It's not an ad and it has been posted on ProTeacher many times. I will try again, because it is WONDERFUL for teaching six traits, not to mention the other features of the site.
Well, I guess I won't. I just read on the site that it has been banned from this site. How VERY disappointing.
Just a note regarding the banned site. While I still think it is an outstanding site, Phil explained the full history behind the banning and I understand why it was done. I will still recommend it to anyone who asks me because it is good, but unfortunately, the coordinator of the site "shot himself in the foot".
The PT editors explained the reasoning and it did make sense. I appreciated the response from PT Editors. Sorry to the web master of the other site, but as Wig mentioned, it was his own demise. That is too bad. It is a fabulous, fabulous site. Happy writing to all!
I am very new to six traits and wondered if there are continuums out there that help teachers determine the stages students go through in demonstrating the different traits?
I wanted to teach the traits this past school year but was told to strictly use another program. The students I had in my fifth grade classroom did not write very well. Their grammar, spelling, sentence structure and content was not good. Their writing scores were very low. I don't know what to do. Will using the traits help me to teach them what they need to know to improve their scores? If so, can I learn how to teach these traits just by reading the book listed?
Thanks for starting this site. I started using the 6 traits last year but didn't do a great job as I was still in the dark about a lot of things. This site has really been a blessing.
I am new to this site and am wondering where is a spot so I can contact a member in private...like on other boards? I would like to contact wig regarding this post.
You can click on their name and it will say send a private message. However, I don't know if you can do that as a new member yet. My suggestion if you can't, is to post your question in the teacher's lounge- it gets a lot of traffic.
Thank you for your quick reply. My problem is that I wanted to request a link to a banned website.
Any other ideas on how I could get that information? lol
How did you get this meeting room started? I am not soo good at navigating on this site, but I want to start a meeting room for combining Calkins and 6+1. I posted a request to the Town Meeting. Is that what you did?
03-05-2008, 04:37 AM
Have you been looking for information, ideas, or clarification on the Six Traits of Writing? Join us here, in the brand new Forget-Me-Not Room for an ongoing discussion of Six Trait Writing! 
Many thanks to the PT editors for giving us our own meeting place!
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