6+1 Traits of Writing

6+1 Traits of Writing By: Melissa Benoit Eng 313

Ideas Organization Voice Word Choice Fluency Convention +1 Presentation

The Rubric

Elementary School

Learning the traits at a young age… • Helps them see there are many things in writing to consider • Gives them a basis for how to write • Lets them understand what they will be graded on • Can be confusing/overwhelming

Teacher Interview • Too much to cover • Lot of structure to rubric • Not a bad writing tool • Early exposure is good

Student Work

9th Grade DeWitt high school 9th grade class: -Suburban/ rural -97% Caucasian -Mostly college-bound -First high school English class -Block schedule class time

Handouts Peer-editing sheets • A section for each trait • Helps students run through the paper Example of Ideas and Content • Allows students to practice each individual trait before writing their paper

Student Examples 9th Grade student narratives and rubrics

Student Opinions Most helpful traits: • Sentence fluency • Organization • Voice

Least helpful traits: Conventions Ideas

Other Student Input Most said it was easy to learn • “common sense” • “know it will matter to the future” • “I’m a fast learner” No one had learned it before now, but they all felt fairly confident with it

Teacher’s Viewpoint • Makes writing manageable for students • Encourages creativity • Lets students have their own voice • Common language when giving feedback • Not enough examples of other genres of writing (analytical/ persuasive)

Lesson Plan Writing Sequence for TE 408 --had students write a descriptive paragraph making inferences about a picture. --ties directly into “6+1” --helps me see where they are at and what they need to work on --can use the “6+1 rubric” to help grade them

SO WHAT?

Any Questions?

Resources • http://www.thetraits.org/ A website containing all the information of the traits. It includes lesson plans, prompts, and other teacher-friendly resources for the traits. • http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/department.php?d=1 The creator of the traits. Links about the traits including prompts, rubrics, examples, and explanations. Information for purchasing posters, books, and lesson plans. • http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/langarts/sixtrtcrsmtrl.htmThis is a really helpful site I got from my mentor teacher. It has all the definitions of the traits, along with examples. It gives exercises so students can practice each trait before starting. • http://doe.sd.gov/curriculum/6plus1/9-12.aspThis website I found contains ways to teach the traits. It gives examples and ideas for how to effectively introduce them. • http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/sixtrait/menu.htm This website has lesson plans, ideas and activities. It also has a handbook for students, so they understand the process. • http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.html A link to traits presented to elementary school students and teachers. It helps explain the traits, while also including lessons and rubrics. • TE 408 lesson plan. Written by Melissa Benoit. February 28, 2009. • Interview with Maryann Abraham. March 15, 2009. • Interview via internet and in person with Katie Marble. March 25, 2009 • Surveys from DeWitt High School Freshman English class. March 25, 2009. **I will post this presentation to the wiki. It will include the interviews and surveys.**

6+1 Traits of Writing