I would like to develop a lesson using the 6 +1 traits of writing for first grade centered around the story "The Lost Button" from the book Frog and Toad are Friends. After reading the story, I follow up with a button sorting activity and I am trying to come up with an appropriate writing activity as well. Thank you for your ideas and help!
With 1st grade, you can develop the ideas and organization of their stories using the traits. The main thing to do in the lower grades is to really point out the traits of good writing during your read alouds!!(saying things like "Wow! Isn't that great word choice?" or "Could you pick out those transition words that the author put there to let us know the order of events? We can add those to our writing too.") Anyway, with The Lost Button, brainstorm a list of things students have lost in the past. Have them develop their ideas about how they found it and help them to organize that information into the correct sequence.
and that is good for anyone to use with their students. In fact, if Six Traits is schoolwide or districtwide (and in some states, statewide) it is so helpful. All the kids are using the same terminology from k-12. That language helps students talk about their writing.
In addition, the descriptors help teachers understand what should be expected and in what stages. NWREL has a wonderful primary rubric that describes the stages of writing and can be used as a checklist to evaluate the progress of writing.
On 6/04/06, rita wrote: > I'm registered for a workshop on 6 traits. I teach K. Will > it be something I can use with my students? thanks.
You will definitely be able to use 6+1 with your K students. It provides a language that can set the standard for Writing instruction in subsequent grade levels. It should be a very worthwhile experience for you and your students. I became interested in its use last summer and am now doing staff development with faculty at my school.
Has anyone read/used Wee Can Write: Using 6+1 Trait® Writing Strategies with Renowned Children's Literature Author: Carolyn McMahon & Peggy Warwick? Is it worth purchasing? Thanks!
On 6/14/06, Danielle G wrote: > On 6/07/06, Julie wrote: >> Has anyone read/used Wee Can Write: Using 6+1 Trait® >> Writing Strategies with Renowned Children's Literature >> Author: Carolyn McMahon & Peggy Warwick? Is it worth >> purchasing? Thanks! > We were given this book as part of our new 6 Traits curriculum and it would be fine for kindergarten but is quite dry for first graders. We're having to beef up the lessons A LOT!
On 6/07/06, Julie wrote: > Has anyone read/used Wee Can Write: Using 6+1 Trait® > Writing Strategies with Renowned Children's Literature > Author: Carolyn McMahon & Peggy Warwick? Is it worth > purchasing? Thanks!
Yes! It is fabulous for Kindergarten! My students are learning so much.
I would like some new ideas for teaching "My Side of the Mountain"... in the past, I've just used standard chapter questions, but would like suggestions for anything involving critical thinking skills, etc.... possibly group work... but no projects
On 6/16/06, Beverly wrote: > Does anyone know of a website(s) that has 6-Traits and > Houghton-Mifflin aligned? > Thanks, > Bev
I don't know if the HM website has what you are looking for, but I do know that we received a supplemental resource that correlates 6 Traits to the HM series that we have- The Nation's choice. You might want to talk to your states HM rep. and/or email the publisher.
My school used Basic Writing Skills by a J. Hochman for several years and incorporated it with writer's workshop for two years. They are moving to 6 traits. All the teachers still want to incorporate Basic Writing with 6 trait because the strategies work and the kid's writing really improves. I don't know enough about 6 trait yet to know if this will work.
My eighth graders will be using the new Write Source book for Grade 8 next year. I'm very impressed with what I've seen in this book. My students have not been taught these six traits before, so I was wondering if I need to teach the six traits individually before students can do any of the writing assignments in the book, or can I have the class read the introductory chapter on traits and then proceed to the assignments. If I must teach each trait separately and then provide writing practice on it, what is the most efficient way to do this so that we can get to the assignments?
On 6/19/06, Nick wrote: > My eighth graders will be using the new Write Source book > for Grade 8 next year. I'm very impressed with what I've > seen in this book. My students have not been taught these > six traits before, so I was wondering if I need to teach > the six traits individually before students can do any of > the writing assignments in the book, or can I have the > class read the introductory chapter on traits and then > proceed to the assignments. If I must teach each trait > separately and then provide writing practice on it, what is > the most efficient way to do this so that we can get to the > assignments? > > Thanks in advance.
I think it would be easier for everyone if you taught the traits first and then moved on to the other assignments. The concept of each trait might be learned in just a brief overview, but that's not your goal. The real goal is that they use those traits in their writing. Since the students are a bit older it would probably be ok to discuss the traits and score some sample papers, then write using the trait, then discuss and score those papers. I would focus on one trait at a time, so it would probably take about five lessons per trait. I know that sounds like it would eat away a lot of your time, but if they don't have a foundation the assignments from your book wouldn't be as effective. I have used Write Source in the past and liked it, but I never used it in isolation. I used it to supplement and extend our six trait lessons.
PS You can find sample papers with scores and explanations on the NWRL website at [link removed]
Mike, I am fairly new to 6 Traits. I am not familiar with Simple Six. But I did a search and what I found seems to imply that Simple Six is a program to help students ready for the writing part of the standardized tests. You can check the link below. [link removed]
As for 6 traits, it is a way to evaluate children's writing. It is not linked to standardized tests , as far as I know. It is used with writing workshop from K- 12. Here's another link for 6 traits.
[link removed]
P.S. Maybe Ginny will come on and explain it beeter than I can.
With 1st grade, you can develop the ideas and organization
of their stories using the traits. The main thing to do in
the lower grades is to really point out the traits of good
writing during your read alouds!!(saying things like "Wow!
Isn't that great word choice?" or "Could you pick out those
transitio...See More