To teach 6+1 Traits most effectively, you must first begin by
illustrating how reading and writing are so closely related.
They are the flip-side of each other. If I write a book,
someone will read it. If I read a book, someone has written
it. Once children and teachers realize that, it's easier to
teach reading and writing as integrated activities.
Next you introduce the students to the writing process:
Prewriting (brainstorming, choosing a topic, planning the
essay), Writing (rough draft), Revising (A.R.M.S. - Adding,
Removing, Move parts around, Substitute strong words for weak
ones), Editing (S.C.R.A.P.S. - Spelling, Capitalization,
Repetition, Agreement, Punctuation, Sentence Structure), and
Publish (final draft/presentation). The Traits naturally flow
into the steps of the writing process.
I generally use one or two picture/chapter books each week to
illustrate the reading/writing concept/skill I am trying to
teach so I can maximize my time with them and I can scaffold
on their prior knowledge.
I'm a 4th grade teacher too and it wasn't until my third year
that I really felt comfortable teaching that subject. But
then again, no one explained it this simply before either!
Feel free to email me if you have any questions or need any
resources. I've got a listing of resources (websites, books,
etc) too numerous to list that I can share with you. I
remember that lost feeling from my first year. You'll do
fine.
On 7/29/09, ElemTeacher wrote:
> I really need some direction in how to teach the 6+1 Writing
> Traits.
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