6+1 Traits of Writing6+1 Traits of Writing6+1 Traits of Writing6+1 Traits of Writing

By: Melissa BenoitBy: Melissa BenoitEng 313 Eng 313

Ideas

Organization

Voice

Word Choice

Fluency

Convention

+1 Presentation

The Rubric

Elementary School

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

Teacher Interview

• Too much to cover• Lot of structure to rubric

• Not a bad writing tool• Early exposure is good

Student Work

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

Handouts

Peer-editing sheets• A section for each trait• Helps students run through the

paperExample of Ideas and Content• Allows students to practice each

individual trait before writing their paper

Student Examples

9th Grade student narratives and rubrics

Student OpinionsMost helpful traits:• Sentence fluency

• Organization

• Voice

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Ideas

SentenceFluency

Organization

Presentation

Voice

Word Choice

Conventions

Least helpful traits:Conventions

Ideas

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5.00%

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15.00%

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25.00%

Conventions

I deas

Sentence Fluency

Organization

Voice

Presentation

Word Choice

Other Student InputMost 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

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)

Lesson PlanWriting 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

SO WHAT?

Any Questions?

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=1The 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.htmThis 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://doe.sd.gov/curriculum/6plus1/9-12.aspThis website I found contains ways to teach the traits. It gives examples and ideas for how to effectively introduce them.

• http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/sixtrait/menu.htmThis 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.htmlA 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.**