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

2. Ideas Organization Voice Word Choice Fluency Convention +1 Presentation

3. The Rubric

4. Elementary School

5. 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

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

7. Student Work

8. 9 th Grade DeWitt high school 9 th grade class: -Suburban/ rural -97% Caucasian -Mostly college-bound -First high school English class -Block schedule class time

9. 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

10. Student Examples 9 th Grade student narratives and rubrics

11. Student Opinions Most helpful traits: Sentence fluency Organization Voice

12. Least helpful traits: Conventions Ideas

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. SO WHAT?

17. Any Questions?

18. 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.htm This 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://www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/langarts/sixtrtcrsmtrl.htm http://doe.sd.gov/curriculum/6plus1/9-12.asp This website I found contains ways to teach the traits. It gives examples and ideas for how to effectively introduce them.http://doe.sd.gov/curriculum/6plus1/9-12.asp 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.**