First year teacher

Posted on 7/29/09

Hi Margie,

Is there any way that you can send a copy of your rubric. I'd
really appreciate it!

On 7/29/09, margi wrote:
> I teach the traits to my first graders. I start off with
> ideas by using the song, and explaining the concept. We
> discuss how to come up with an idea, a writers notebook,
> adding details, keeping the topic small, etc. Lucy Calkins
> does a good job with this and there are many resources by
> Ruth Culham available. After a few weeks, I move to
> organization. Again I introduce the song and start off by
> explaining. I use many picture books to highlight different
> ways authors organize their writing. We make our own books
> based on these mentor texts. For example, after reading
> alphabet books we choose the topic and create an alphabet
> book. Or we might write like Eric Carle in Brown Bear (only
> the content changes, not pattern). I spend a long time with
> organization because we discuss sequencing and move into
> using first, next, then, etc. I usually go to word choice
> next, again starting with song. As I read books we listen
> for great or sparkle words, make lists, learn to use a
> classroom thesaurus, etc. We then move on to voice, sentence
> fluency, conventions. I teach each one separately and use
> rubic, but as the year progresses I expect kids to
> incorporate each trait as they are learning new ones. By the
> end of the year most students can explain each trait, know
> the songs, and use the kid rubric to help themselves improve
> their writing. Google six traits and buy books by Ruth
> Culham. You will love using the traits to improve writing
> and analyzing books!
> On 7/29/09, ElemTeacher wrote:
>> I really need some direction in how to teach the 6+1 Writing
>> Traits. Last year was my first year in Language Arts and we
>> adopted a new reading series that supports the traits.
>> There was no formal plan for teaching writing prior to this;
>> every teacher did his/her own thing. Although we went to a
>> workshop on the traits, it didn't help much.
>>
>> We use the Harcourt reading series and I'm going through the
>> first two themes trying to plan my writing instruction. The
>> traits are broken down and taught individually, it seems.
>> Two chapters are devoted to each trait...in the order of
>> voice, word choice, ideas, organization, etc.
>>
>> Are the traits supposed to be taught separately?
>>
>> One of my colleagues said that they should be taught
>> altogether, as part of the writing process. She seems to
>> simply point out, "This is what we mean by ideas" during the
>> pre-writing stage, etc. I actually tried this during
>> writer's workshop and didn't like it. It was as though I
>> just glossed over the traits without really exploring it
>> with the children.
>>
>> I'm really confused and I want to do well with this. How do
>> you teach the 6+1 writing traits? (I teach 4th grade)

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