Kim--Facilitator - We are discussing Writing Conventions.
Kim--Facilitator - Let me start with a quick definition of Writing Conventions (Conventions)
Kim--Facilitator - Conventions is what we traditionally think of when we think of writing. The conventions include spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and paragraphing.
Kim--Facilitator - The writer should use them to enhance the readability of the paper. Spelling should be correct on all words. Punctuation should be smooth and guide the reader through the paper. Capitalization should be used correctly. Grammar should contribute to clarity. Paragraphing should reinforce organization. The writer may manipulate conventions for effect.
AJF - Kim, what level would you recommend using six traits?
Kim--Facilitator - AJF, my district uses the Six Trait model K-12.
AJF - I meant to say, at what grade level would you start using six traits?
AJF - Does this program have a manual?
Marpratt - How is this different from whole language approach?
Kim--Facilitator - Kindergarten doesn't use the terms, but the teachers use the model to help develop lessons. First grade begins with Ideas and Content.
Kim--Facilitator - The grades then add traits. By fourth or fifth, the students are familiar with all six traits.
Kim--Facilitator - AJF, there isn't really a manual. I have a website with tons of ideas, - http://www.angelfire.com/ks/teachme/sixtrait.html
Kim--Facilitator - The model originated with Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. I'll find their URL for you. They have quite a bit of information. - http://www.nwrel.org/eval/writing/
Kim--Facilitator - Marpratt, I believe Six Trait can be incorporated with Whole Language. However, Six Trait is strictly writing.
AJF - I teach second grade, so what trait should I be working on. I know nothing about this, but it sounds great!
AJF - Where do you teach, Kim?
Kim--Facilitator - AJF, my advice is to start small. Don't take on too much at once. The two best traits to start with are Ideas & Content and Organization.
suefi - My problem is finding the time to edit --how does one find the time, get the kiddos to realize the first writing through isn't perfect? Any hints?
Kim -- Facilitator - I teach at a middle school in the southwestern corner of Garden City, Kansas
Syrena - I printed out a bunch of stuff from NRE lab site, great stuff, I am looking at the Six-Trati Assesment for Beginning Writers. Is it expected for begining writers to accomplish everything on this list in one year?
Kim--Facilitator - I spend several days on a major writing assignment. I give the students a timeline to follow, and it includes required editing.
Denise - hello all. i too am a 2nd grade teacher in the USA, and i use the Writing Process with my students. The revisions are time consuming. any suggestions? kim
Kim--Facilitator - Syrena, I'm not familiar with that item.
Kim--Facilitator - Editing -- It is time consuming. For major writing assignments I require the students to go to two peer editors--one for draft one, and one for draft two.
Annie - Do any of you have a form for your students to follow for peer editing?
Allison - I use a brief form for peer conferences in the beginning of the year, but by the middle of the year, they have the hang of peer conferences
RandyAk2 - I have never had much success getting my 2nd graders to help edit another students papers. Are they to young?
Kim--Facilitator - Annie, I have one for each of the Six Traits.
Annie - Great-thanks. I have created one also using the 6 traits as a guide but I'd love to see yours.
suefi - Not many of my 4th graders are fluent in English so how do I do peer editing? Language conventions are very poor, we do daily editing of sentences, but it just doesn't seem to carry over?!? I was just curious if anyone has a magic pill?
Annie - maybe just concentrate on the writer's voice, Suefi
Kim--Facilitator - Randy, I think they could some basic editing for things like capitals and punctuation. However, I am secondary certified, so my opinion probably doesn't count.
Allison - I would love to see the forms too, please.
judy - miguel, you are not being ignored, look to the left of the chat please.
Kim--Facilitator - suefi, I have ESL students as well. I try to encourage them to go to students who have a better handle on English. This isn't always easy because it takes them out of their comfort zone. Therfore, I spend a lot of time helping them with editing.
suefi - The other concern I have with that is that the same kids are helping others and don't seem to have time for themselves!!
Kim--Facilitator - suefi, I've had that problem, too. My rule is that they can't peer edit someone's paper until they are ready to have theirs peer edited.
Annie - Suefi, I have the same problem! The only thing I do is tell them that their #1 priority is their own work...that editing a peer's work comes second
Allison - That's a great idea Kim! I'm going to use that rule.
Annie - Do you have any ideas about improving conclusions in students' essays
suefi - Kim what "order" do you suggest introducing the 6 Traits?
Kim--Facilitator - Some of my better writers don't like to do peer editing, so I sometimes "bribe" them with a pop or extra credit.
Jane - I am trying to put everything together. I'm assuming that conventions are taught in conjuntion with the other traits. Do you teach each trait separatly?
Kim--Facilitator - Jane, I teach the trait of Conventions all year. I cover the rest of the traits one at a time in conjunction with Conventions.
katherine - So any ideas how to help students develop voice
Kim--Facilitator - Order--Conventions always, Ideas and Content first, Organization second, the others in any order you prefer.
RandyAk2 - Any advice for someone just starting out in the 6 traits program at early elementary level?
Annie - Katherine--I use children's literature to show different authors' voices
Kim--Facilitator - Conclusions: I provide studen0ts with examples of different conclusions and have them refer to them whenever they write.
Kim--Facilitator - Picture books are great.
Allison - Annie, any specific suggestions for book titles?
Annie - I generally use books they enjoy-Sharon Creech is a favorite author and she has a definite style. Also, short stories--a great book is Free to Be You and Me
Nolefan - I am returning to fourth grade and facing a state writing test. I've just heard about 6 traits. Will this be suitable to prepare my students for a state graded test?
Annie - I meant novels that they have read already
Kim--Facilitator - Randy, start small. Don't overwhelm yourself and your students. I would start with Ideas and Content--share some sample papers and simplified rubrics. Then do some activities to get the idea of Ideas and Content across to them.
Jane - Thanks Kim, For some reason I was logged off.
Kim--Facilitator - Voice is the hardest trait for me. Some teachers find it the easiest....
Jane - I like Wilford Gordon (I forgot the rest by Mem Fox rest
Annie - Another note on Voice--my students really identifies with the idea that if your "heart was in your piece," you had 'voice.' That really worked for them.
Allison - Nolefan, I teach fourth grade in NY. We have a state test, and the 6 traits have helped a lot!
Kim--Facilitator - I tell my students that an encyclopedia article has absolutely no voice. They want the opposite.
Jane - I like that Annie
Annie - We have state tests here in De, Nolefan. That's tough
Kim--Facilitator - Nolefan, our state assessment is totally based on the Six Trait model.
Annie - The teachers here really work on voice and ideas more than anything for the tests
Annie - they are weigted so that conventions are the lowest and voice is the highest
Kim--Facilitator - We're getting a little off topic with the other traits, but I don't mind. If no one objects, I'll share a neat activity for Voice that can be used with almost any grade.
Annie - introductions and conclusions are obviously important too!
Nolefan - I am very impressed with what I have read about 6 traits. I plan to use it . How do you teach voice to fourth graders?
Jane - I'd love it
Kim--Facilitator - Annie, our traits are equal in weight.
Allison - Since our state tests are graded according to rubrics, the six traits assessments are perfect!
Annie - yes, I'm talking about our state tests though
Allison - Yes, please Kim!
Kim--Facilitator - Nolefan, I teach 8th grade, so I can't answer that. Activity coming up>>> Give me some time to type....
Kim--Facilitator - You will need several old magazines, a pair of scissors, and some glue (This work will be done by the teacher.) Cut out pictures that catch your eye--ones that look like they have a story behind them. Once they are cut out, group the pictures according to similar theme.... The themes might be things like sick children, people wating, people with animals, etc. For each group (theme) of pictures (three or four to a group), write a short passage that would fit any of the pictures in the group. Glue the pictures on cardstock. Do the same with the passage. Make ten or so sets like this. Divide the students into small groups and give each group one of the sets. The idea is for them to decide which picture belongs with the passage. Oh, the aguments they will have!!! There is no correct answer. They will begin to look at facial expressions and action in the pictures...leads right into Voice. Oh, I call this activity, WHO WROTE THIS?
Annie - Nolefan, did you get what I was saying? I didn't mean that they aren't equally important.
Jane - After you teach 1 trait and move on to another do you still apply the rubric for the first trait along with the new one?
Kim--Facilitator - Jane, sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on what my students that year can handle.
Susan - I teach fourth grade also. I can use help on every area of six traits. I face the Florida Assessment test on Writing. I can't figure out how they grade.
Annie - great idea, kim
Jane - Can you give an example of a passage?
Kim--Facilitator - As a follow up activity, have the students find their own picture from a magazine. Then have them write a passage to go with it. Once the students are finished, you can post them on a bulletin board and have the students match pictures to passages.
Annie - Maybe they could use the pictures and passages as story starters too
Kim--Facilitator - Jane, you really need to match it with the picture. Let me try to remember what I have --they are at school.
Susan - Which trait do you feel is the most important one to teach first?
Jane - I thought that was a rquest for the name of a poem.
Kim--Facilitator - I found three or four pictures of children who looked really sad or sick. Then I wrote something about a beloved dog dying.
Kim--Facilitator - Susan, I usually start with Ideas and Content, but I have also started with Organization.
Jane - Thanks It sound like fun
Susan - Do you feel conventions should be taught last or ongoing?
Kim--Facilitator - I love both activities. One year a student found a picture of an old ugly woman who had seen better days. She titled her piece, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."
Kim--Facilitator - Susan, there is so much in Conventions that I cover it in bits and pieces with the others.
Kim--Facilitator - I have covered it separately, but I think it works better in conjunction with the other five traits.
Kim--Facilitator - I can't believe our time is almost up. Any more questions? Any ideas you want to share?
Susan - Voice is what I feel weakest in teaching. Some people say use books to bring out voice. Are there any other ways for intermediate students?
Jane - Thanks everyone
Kim--Facilitator - Something else I have used for voice is to assign each rubric score a color--getting brighter as the score goes up. 1 is white, 2 is beige, 3 is light yellow, 4 is pink, and 5 is red. Instead of having the students rate ...
Kim--Facilitator - something with numbers, have them do it with colors. Something with a lot of Voice will be bright red.
Kim--Facilitator - That helps the visual learners. I cut squares out of construction paper and gave each student a square of each color
Kim--Facilitator - Well, I need to go. Thanks for a great session!
Susan - That's great! Thanks for the great ideas!

 
 

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