Creating Writers: 6 Traits, Process, Workshop, and Literature, 6th edition

Chapter 1:     Getting Acquainted with the Six Traits    

Enter the traits . . .     

Who invented the six traits? 

A Quick Overview     

Responding to Student Writing        

What Teachers Value in Writing      

Warming Up with the One-Pager

10 Tips for Scoring Well

Connecting the 6 Traits to Research-Based Strategies

Connecting the 6 Traits to the Common Core Standards for Writing

Some Closing Thoughts

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities

 

Chapter 2:     Setting the Stage with Writing Process and Writing Workshop

Setting the Stage with Writing Process        

Experience: The Well We Draw From      

Rehearsing and Prewriting: Giving Shape to the Ideas We’ve Chosen   

Drafting: Going from Beginning to End

Sharing with an Audience

Revising: Letting the Traits Shine

Editing: Making the Reader Feel “At Home” in Your Text

Publishing: Honoring and Preserving Writing

Assessing: for Students, the First Step in Revising

What about Genre?

Setting the Stage with Writing Workshop

     What happens in writing workshop?

     Following a Routine

     On Day 1

     Are some writers too young?

     Ensuring Safety

     Allotting Time

     Two Myths

In Judy’s Third Grade Writing Workshop    

The Atmosphere     

Room Arrangement

Workshop Schedule           

Conferences

Sharing

In Billie’s Seventh Grade Writing Workshop

    Trait Aerobics

    The Magic of Modeling

    Backwards Planning

In Barbara’s Middle School Writing Workshop

    Choosing Topics

    Modeling

    Assessing Writing as a Class

    Pick Your Corner!

    Reviewing Individual Students’ Work

In Andrea’s Second-Language Classroom

    Key Words

    Learning Kinesthetically

    Everyone Writes

    Using Technology

In Jim’s High School Writing Class

    Focus, Direction–and Language

    Comparing Responses

    Built-in Flexibility

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities

 

Chapter 3:     Making Meaning with IDEAS

How do I begin?        

Student Writing Guide for Ideas (Figure 3.2)      

Teacher Writing Guide for Ideas (Figure 3.3)

Ideas: Meaning & Message   

A Definition           

Trait Shortie for Ideas (Figure 3.4)          

Warming Up with Literature

Just a Taste (small samples)

Using a Whole Book

Other Books Wonderful for Teaching Ideas         

Assessing Writing Samples for Ideas           

Paper 1: Making Decisions (Expository, Grade 8)          

Paper 2: The Best Gift (Memoir, Grade 6)           

Paper 3: The Baseball (Narrative, Grade 5)        

Paper 4: Metamorphosis (Narrative, Grade 9)    

Paper 5: Going Veggie (Persuasive, Grade 4)     

Paper 6: Writing Is Important (Expository, Grade 11)   

Paper 7: Harder Than You Think (Expository, Grade 10)           

Paper 8: Why Writing Matters (Expository, Grade 6)     

Lessons and Strategies for Teaching IDEAS

Some Quick Trait Logistics   52

How long should I spend teaching a single trait?

Is it important to teach the traits in a particular order?

Should I teach every feature of every trait?

What happens once I finish teaching all the traits?

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities  

 

Chapter 4:     Showcasing the Message with ORGANIZATION

Organization: Structure and Design

A Definition

Student Writing Guide for Organization (Figure 4.1)

Teacher Writing Guide for Organization (Figure 4.2)

Trait Shortie for Organization (Figure 4.3)

Warming Up with Literature

Just a taste . . .

Using a whole book

Other Books with Interesting Organizational Structure

Assessing Writing Samples for Organization

Paper 1: Some Cartoons Are Violent! (Persuasive, Grade 3)     

Paper 2: A Great Book (Literary Analysis, Grade 8)       

Paper 3: Movies and Books: A Comparison (Expository, Grade 8)        

Paper 4: Are Films Too Violent? (Persuasive, Grade 5) 

Paper 5: How to Be a Good Driver (Expository, Grade 12)        

Paper 6: Computing Batting Averages (Expository, Grade 6)    

Paper 7: Cats or Dogs (Persuasive, Grade 6)

Paper 8: Sand Dollar (Narrative, Grade 8)

Lessons and Strategies for Teaching ORGANIZATION

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities  

 

Chapter 5:     Making the Heart Beat with VOICE         

Voice: The Heartbeat

A Definition

What Is Voice? (Figure 5.1)

Student Writing Guide for Voice (Figure 5.2)

Teacher Writing Guide for Voice (Figure 5.3)

Trait Shortie for Voice (Figure 5.4)

Warming Up with Literature

Just a taste . . .

Using a whole book

Other Books with Striking (Read-aloud) Voice

Assessing Writing Samples for Voice

Paper 1: Why You Need a Job (Persuasive, Grade 9)      

Paper 2: Zeena and the Marshmellows (Persuasive, Grade 5)   

Paper 3: A Sunflower Seed (Expository/Reflective, Grade 5)     

Paper 4: Fishing (Narrative/Expository, Grade 11)        

Paper 5: You Whant to Be My Friend? (Expository, Grade 3)

Paper 6: Unscripted Television: Enjoy It While You Can (Persuasive, Middle School)

Paper 7: The Perfect Tree (Narrative/Memoir, Grade 7)

Lessons and Strategies for Teaching VOICE

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities  

 

Chapter 6:     Enhancing Meaning and Voice with WORD CHOICE

Word Choice: Phrasing and Terminology    

A Definition

Student Writing Guide for Word Choice (Figure 6.1)

Teacher Writing Guide for Word Choice (Figure 6.2)

Trait Shortie for Word Choice (Figure 6.3)

Warming Up with Literature

Just a taste . . .

Using a whole book

Other Books Filled with Words and Expressions You’ll Remember

Assessing Writing Samples for Word Choice

Paper 1: Chad (Descriptive, Grade 3)     

Paper 2: Pets Are Forever: An Investigative Report (Expository, Grade 8)

Paper 3: Fishing Lessons (Memoir, Grade 7)      

Paper 4: Elephants (Expository, Grade 5)

Paper 5: A Strange Visitor (Narrative/Imaginative, Grade 5)

Paper 6: The Pirate Ship (Descriptive, Grade 5)

Paper 7: Kill Measure 34–Now! (Persuasive, Grade 8)

Lessons and Strategies for Teaching Word Choice

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities  

 

Chapter 7:     Enhancing Meaning and Voice with SENTENCE FLUENCY

Sentence Fluency: Rhythm & Readability

A Definition

Student Writing Guide for Sentence Fluency (Figure 7.1)

Teacher Writing Guide for Sentence Fluency (Figure 7.2)

Trait Shortie for Sentence Fluency (Figure 7.3)

Warming Up with Literature

Just a taste . . .

Using a whole book

Other Books Filled with Collectible Sentences

Assessing Writing Samples for Sentence Fluency

Paper 1: The Closet Monster (Imaginative Fantasy, Grade 3)   

Paper 2: The Big Road (Narrative, Grade 7)

Paper 3: Xeriscaping (Persuasive, Grade 5)

Paper 4: The Ritual of Rocks and Sticks (Imaginative/Narrative, Grade 6)       

Paper 5: Why I Write (Expository, Grade 7)       

Paper 6: A Rescue (Narrative, Grade 4)

Paper 7: Marco Polo (Imaginative Journal (Grade 4)

Paper 8: Call Me When You Get There (Expository, Grade 8)   

Lessons and Strategies for Teaching Sentence Fluency

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities  

 

Chapter 8:     Preparing to Publish with CONVENTIONS & PRESENTATION

Step 1: Editing (Textual Conventions)

     Conventions? Isn’t that the easiest trait to assess?

Step 2: Packaging (Visual Conventions/Presentation)

     How important is presentation in the overall score?

Going Beyond Print

Conventions & Presentation: Readiness for Publication

A Definition

Student Writing Guide for Conventions & Presentation (Figure 8.2)

Teacher Writing Guide for Conventions & Presentation (Figure 8.3)

Trait Shortie for Conventions & Presentation (Figure 8.4)

Warming Up with Literature

Books with Clever Conventions

Books with Arresting Presentation

Resource Books for You, Your Students or Both

Assessing Writing Samples for Conventions

6 Keys to Scoring Conventions Well

Paper 1: Haircut from Hell (Narrative/Imaginative, Grade 7)   

Paper 2: Japan (Expository, Grade 3)

Paper 3: The Joke (Memoir, Grade 7)      

Paper 4: Computer Blues (Narrative, Grade 12)

Considering Presentation

Poetry: “Rain and Ivy”

A Published Piece: Coco Writes   

Original Art: Thandi

An Original Picture Book: A Great Journey

A Collage of Covers: Creating Writers

Lessons and Strategies for Teaching Conventions

A Message for Parents and Guardians

Strategies for Introducing and Teaching Presentation

Expanding Presentation through Technology

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities

 

Chapter 9:     Going INFORMATIONAL

Trait by Trait: A Quick Review

Informational Writing

A Definition

One-Pager Informational Writing Guide for Teachers (9.1)

Informational Writing Guides for Students (9.2 through 9.7)

Assessing Informational Writing

Paper 1: Black Widows (Informational, Grade 3)

Paper 2: Gorillas (Informational (Grade 4)

Paper 3: Our History: Strange But True (Informational, Grade 5)

Paper 4: Mini Vampires (Informational, Grade 5)

Paper 5: Stars (Informational, Grade 5)

Paper 6: The Middle Ages (Informational, Grade 7)

Paper 7: Life in the Middle Ages (Informational, Grade 7)

Paper 8: Humboldt Penguins (Informational, Grade 9)

Paper 9: Method Acting (Informational, Grade 12)

9 Strategies for Helping Students Create Powerful Informational Writing

Informational Favorites (A Booklist)

Persuasive Writing and Thoughts About “Trait Eight”

4 Simple Steps to Your Own Persuasive Checklist

Paper 11: Driving Tests Should Be Harder (Persuasive, Grade 7)

Paper 12: Smoking Stinks! (Persuasive, Grade 5)

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities

 

Chapter 10:   Exploring the World of BEGINNING WRITERS

Focusing on Strengths

Bat and Spider (Age 4)

Mike’s Note (Age 5)

Taking a Close Look at Primary Writing

What to Look for in Primary Writing (Figure 10.1)

Early Guides to Traits (Figure 10.2)        

Sample Papers

“Clouds” by Nicole (Grade 1)

“Sam Is My Friend” by Kean (Grade 1)

“My Favorite Brother Is Nick” by Lincoln (Grade 1)

“I Like My Library” by Nicholas (Grade 1)

“CatDog Shopping” by Jocelyn (Grade 1)

Mason’s First Book (K)

“Old” by Megan (Grade 3)

“Dear Tooth Fairy” by Leah (Grade 2)

“Jamey the Cat” by Veronica (Grade 2)

“Pyramid” by Brad (Grade 2)

Three Short Pieces by Andrew (K)

“Love” by Kaden (Grade 1)

“My Friend” by Jane (Grade 1)

“Spiderman” by Wyatt (Grade 1)

“My Winter Vacation” by Connor (Grade 2)

“Guess Why I Like School” by Hollie (Grade 1)

Using the 6 Traits to Teach Primary Writing

Primary Books for Teaching Ideas

Primary Books for Teaching Organization

Primary Books for Teaching Voice

Primary Books for Teaching Word Choice

Primary Books for Teaching Sentence Fluency

Primary Books for Teaching Conventions & Presentation

Assessing Young Writers

Assessment Step 1: Looking Carefully at Student Writing

Assessment Step 2: Observing Young Writers Carefully

Assessment Step 3: Asking Children to Talk about Their Process

Assessment Step 4: Keeping Portfolios

Assessment Step 5: Using Age-Appropriate Tools for Assessment

Avoid Scales Intended for Older Writers

Early Guides to Traits (Assessing Examples)

Primary Continuums (Figure 10.17)

Closing Thoughts

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities  

 

Chapter 11:   COMMUNICATING about Students’ Writing
Comments

But . . . we meant well!

Encouraging Comments + Modeling = Path to Success

Offer Suggestions through Modeling

Comments plus Rubrics

Quick Practice

“Waters of Death” (Figure 11.2)

“The Bathroom” (Figure 11.3)     

Conferences

     A good conference begins with listening

    . . . is also short

    . . . puts the writer in control

    . . . is flexible

Sharing: Connecting with an Audience

10 Things You Can Do

1. Help students develop good listening skills

2. Think about logistics.

3. Define roles clearly

4. Model what not to do.

5. Write notes.

6. Encourage responders to “begin with I.”

7. Participate.

8. Don’t apologize–and don’t over-react.

9. Make it real–by sharing what you picture, how you feel.

10. Keep it snappy.

    Debriefing

Communicating with Parents or Guardians

Comments on Student Writing

“Waters of Death” (Figure 11.2)

“The Bathroom” (Figure 11.3)     

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities

 

Chapter 12:   ASSESSING Our Students Well

Making Large-Scale Writing Assessment All It Can Be

Step 1: Have a clear purpose.

Step 2: Design an Assessment to match our vision of success.

Step 3: Match the assessment approach to the task.

Step 4: Design rubrics or writing guides with care.

Step 5: Be thoughtful about prompts.

Step 6: Abolish forever the dreaded “off-topic” label.

Step 7: Become truly skilled assessors.

Step 8: Teach on-demand writing as a genre unto itself.

Step 9: Minimize bias.

Step 10: Consider multiple samples.

Step 11: Ensure that assessments are reliable and valid.

Step 12: Make writing a priority.

Making Classroom Writing Assessment All It Can Be

Step 1: Define our personal vision of success.

Step 2: Let the writing tell its own story.

Step 3: Think process–not just product.

Step 4: Assess some pieces deeply–to see what students can do.

Step 5: Provide both formative and summative assessment.

Step 6: Assess what matters–not what’s obvious.

Step 7: Teach students to evaluate their own work.

Step 8: Make personal comments a major part of any feedback.

Step 9: Be flexible about genre and format.

Step 10: Encourage students to develop “habits of mind” essential for success.

Grading

What Grades Mean to Students

How and What to Grade

Grading as a Control Issue

Translating Analytical Scores into Grades

Final Thoughts

Study Group: Interactive Questions and Activities

Looking Forward: Expanding the Vision     

 

Appendices   

Appendix 1 Brief History of the Traits

Appendix 2 Teacher Three-Level Writing Guide (Adaptable to 5- or 6-Point)     

Appendix 3 Student Three-Level Writing Guide (Adaptable to 5- or 6-Point)      

Appendix 4 Student “Leap the River” Writing Guide in Spanish   

Appendix 5 Student Checklist in Spanish

Appendix 6 Requirements by Genre: Common Core Standards for Writing