Writing One Trait at a Time

1. WritingOne Trait at a Time Presented by: Rachel Taylor and Sarah Moran

3. Writing Trait Resources • This PowerPoint can be found on Ms. Moran’s Website… http://www.bar.rcs.k12.tn.us/TEACHERS/morans/morans.htm • Related Brainpop, Jr. Videos • Internet Links • TumbleBooks– Sunnyvale Library • BookFlix – Pair Fiction and Non-fiction Books

4. Begin by talking to your students about these questions: “What is an author?” “Why do authors write?” PIE- Persuade, Inform and Entertain Let them know that they are authors too!

7. IDEAS Ideas are just thoughts. Students just need help realizing them! • Idea Page • Memories – people, places, things • 5 Senses • Light Bulb Lab

9. Try these activities! • Describe popcorn, Laffy Taffy or Rice Krispies with your 5 senses. • Read The Squiggle by: Carole Lexa Schaefer • Create a picture from a single line. • Create a 5 Senses poster to use in your classroom. • Describe a person, place or thing using your 5 senses.

10. ORGANIZATION Discuss… What does the word organization mean? Authors always organize their writing! • Brainstorm “organizing words” and create an anchor chart for the classroom. • Begin with “how to” writing.

13. Model the story elements found in the beginning, middle and end of mentor texts. • BOLD BEGINNING • How did the author begin the story? • Introduces Characters • Reveals the setting (place and time) • MIGHTY MIDDLE • Introduces the plot/problem of the story. • Action of the story • Use connecting/transition words • Voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions make the middle mighty! • EXCELLENT ENDING • Solution • Make the ending memorable

14. There are other types of organization. • Graphic Organizers • Main Idea and Details • Letter Writing • Lists, labels, captions, timelines

15. Try these activities! • Make a “Bold Beginning” poster for your classroom. • Read Peanut Butter and Jelly • Mentor text for “how to” writing. • Students write their own “how to.” • Author Study – mentor texts that model a clear problem and solution. • Read Froggy books by: Johnathan London • Write a new Froggy story.

16. CONSTRUCTED RESPONSEHow to organize your response. WritingFix Website - Constructed Response

17. Write across the curriculum!Implement journals!

18. Try these Activities! • Read The Grapes of Math by: Greg Tang • Students use the poem and illustration problem solve. • Model whole group or justify answer in math journal. • Read Poems for Math Practice by: Laureen Reynolds • Use the poem "Get in Shape“ as a model. • Have students choose one shape to draw and write a description of the shape.

19. WORD CHOICE Paint a picture for your reader… Don’t use boring words. Use fancy words! Create word banks in your classroom… • Synonyms • Vivid Verbs • Adjectives • 5 Senses • Word Wall • Anchor Charts http://www.jmeacham.com

20. Anchor Charts

23. Word Wall

24. Onomatopoeia

25. Constructed Response Vocabulary Because… For instance… For example… The author stated… According to the text… From the reading I know that…

26. Heading Magnets • SUPER SENTENCES • Question Words • Who • What • Where • When • Why

27. Try these activities! • Read Fancy Nancy’s Favorite Fancy Words by: Jane O’Conner • Read Olivia Makes a Lemonade Stand by: Kama Einhorn • Students create a lemonade stand poster using fancy words. • Read Owl Moon by: Jane Yolen • “Pass the Clipboard”

28. VOICE How do the characters in the story feel? What mood did the author create in the story? How? • Find voice in mentor texts. • Look for the words that give clues. • Make inferences.

29. Try these activities! • Make emotion sticks to use in your classroom. • Read Bugs, Bugs, Bugs by: Bob Barner • Brainstorm adjectives and verbs to describe bugs the students like and don’t like. • Have students write about a bug they like and don’t like. • Their word choice give clues to the reader about whether they like or do not like the bug. The disgusting black spider crept across my floor. The beautiful butterfly floated in the sky.

30. Read The Crayon Box that Talked by: Shane DeRolf • What voice/mood would these crayons represent? • What kind of voice would they have if they could talk? • Red- shy, bashful, angry • Black – grumpy • Read I Wanna Iguana by: Karen Kaufman Orloff and David Catrow • Brainstorm Pet Ideas • Write in a persuasive voice. • Writing Fix Lesson

31. SENTENCE FLUENCY The writing flows… How can you make it stronger? • Model with rhythm, poems and rhyming text. • Vary sentence length and type. • Begin Sentences in different ways • create anchor charts for the classroom. • pronouns, onomatopoeia and transition words

32. Try these activities! • Read Take me out of the bathtub. By: Alan Katz • Model creating a parody from a familiar song. • Students will create their own parody. • Example of a Parody • Read For Just One Day by: Laura Leuck • Brainstorm animals, actions and habitats • Students will write a rhyming poem that begins “For just one day…”

33. CONVENTIONS While teaching the writing traits, the focus should be on the “PROCESS NOT THE PRODUCT.” • Focus on conventions last. • Teach conventions in lessons separate from the writing process throughout the year. • During writing conferences, focus on one area at a time.

35. Try these activities! • Create student “punctuation station” sticks. • Read Punctuation Takes a Vacation. By: Robin Pulver • Writing Fix Lesson

36. How do you teach conventions in your classroom? • Musical Detective • Writing Conferences • Writing Rubric • Anchor Papers • Checklists • Set Goals

37. Writing Rubric

38. Visual Checklist

39. Set Writing Goals

40. Questions?