Product Description
Grades 3 & up. What are the 6 + 1 traits in writing? Look at good writing in any genre, and you will find ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. This book will help you assess students' work and improve writing skills in the classroom. Includes scoring guides, focus lessons, and activities for teaching each trait.
Customer Reviews:
Valuable Structure for Assessing Writing.......2007-08-09
English teachers have it tough -- no matter how hard they try, they cannot avoid a degree of subjectivity when it comes to grading papers. This book, 6+1 TRAITS OF WRITING, will not make the process a totally objective one, but it will provide a definite structure that will be invaluable to both new and experienced teachers alike. In workmanlike fashion, Ruth Culham devotes chapters to the traits (ideas, word choice, sentence fluency, voice, organization, and conventions) PLUS one (presentation) with a series of indicators for teachers to assess each one.
It's a great primer in the technique, and the chapters all follow a similar pattern with definitions of the traits, a list of reasons on why students struggle with that trait, steps on how to assess the trait, and sample papers to practice assessing using the 6 + 1 method. Each sample paper is followed by the scores the author gave it, along with their reasoning. Finally, the chapters are nicely rounded out with a series of practical ideas on how you can TEACH each trait. Teachers trying to get a handle on grading papers will appreciate the practicality and the structure.
The caveats I have with the book are minor. First, the sample papers range from Grades 3 to 9, and it's often difficult to assess sample papers because elementary teachers may not know how far along a secondary student should be and secondary teachers may have no clue about what's expected from third-grade writers. The wide range in ages, in other words, creates a bit of extra confusion for teachers who are well-versed in their own age-group of students. Also, the extra batch of "practice papers" to assess at the back of the book are directly followed by the author's scores, meaning the papers and their scores often share the same page. It would have been more helpful to separate them so as to avoid accidentally seeing a score while trying to finish the paper.
Culham's book is a great start, but a lot more practice assessing will probably be necessary to successfully implement the program. Also, I found that I had many questions about judgment calls while assessing some of the indicators and, in a workshop type setting, could have used further explanation from an experienced hand. Alas, the book cannot provide anything like that, but still, it's a start -- and a good one. Recommended.
6 + 1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide (Grades 3 and Up).......2007-01-10
As a classroom teacher and workshop leader, I have found this book very useful. It includes sample student papers that can be used by teachers and students to hone their assessment skills. The ideas for teaching each of the traits are concrete ones that students enjoy. When I've read forty papers and have run out of new responses to give my students, there are even lists of responses for me to use. I recommend this book to both new and experienced teachers of writing.
Great resource!.......2007-01-07
I originally had to buy this book for a graduate level pedagogy course. I ended up using this book constantly to help teach 4th graders how to write. Ruth Culham explains each trait well and includes a handful of awesome lesson plan ideas for students to practice the trait. I'd recommend it as a resource for any writing teacher (Grades 3-12).
Great ideas for assessing writing.......2006-08-21
I really enjoyed reading this book and I am excited about starting to use this method when school starts again. Teaching writing can be difficult, but how to give constructive feedback is even harder. I am optimistic that the ideas in this book will make it a whole lot easier to help my children.
invaluable.......2005-12-19
I looked at many writing books for my child. A school teacher recommended this one to me. After we used it as the primary writing guide, my child's writing took off. It's so effective that his writing has jumped from average to outstanding in his class. Now the book is one of our two MUST-DOs every week (the other is Beestar online ELA and vocabulary exercises, a wonderful web site www.beestar.org). Writing is a life-long skill. We will continue use this guide to improve writing for a long time.
Product Description
Grades K - 2. Introduce the traits of writing- Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Convention, & Puncuation to students in grades K-2. This book includes scoring guides, sample papers, and focus lesssons for each trait, built to address the K-2 teachers' needs.
Customer Reviews:
A Trait Above the Rest.......2007-06-27
This book will definitely aid in developing your 6 + 1 writing classroom. It is filled with classroom ideas and great picture books to use to enhance each lesson.
Must Have Writing Assessment Tool!.......2007-03-17
This is a fantastic tool for lower elementary teachers. This is how writing should be assessed. This book is a practical tool. It includes practice assessments and lots of student example papers to help you better understand each trait and how to evaluate it. It also includes many wonderful teaching ideas and picture book examples!
Primary Teachers Rejoice!.......2007-01-04
We asked. We pleaded. We begged, "Pretty pleeease." Ruth Culham responded to our request with great enthusiasm with 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades. And teachers across the globe cheered, "Wahoo!" Finally, a resource book for primary educators who have been searching for child tested ideas that tackle instructional strategies and assessment techniques in one comprehensive book. Thank you, Ruth, for doing a wonderful job of explaining each trait, equipping us with developmentally appropriate focus lessons, and reminding us that teaching writing to young authors is a process in which they need plenty of practice and opportunities, and an extra helping of patience on our part doesn't hurt. This must have book for all teachers - novice and experienced alike - won't be another resource that is shelved after a quick glance. It will be close at hand as it is used throughout the year to help develop the talents of young writers.
caution? .......2007-01-04
I agree with the positive reviews. The concepts and lessons are great. However, this book must be "all the rage" because when I went online to purchase the trade book from the first lesson plan, I could not find it for less than $50! Of course, you can substitute in your own book selections, but if you want to rely on the lessons as written you MAY not be able to find every book. [...]
6 + 1 = 7.......2006-04-13
I'm sorry, but 6+1 equals 7. Just kidding- I understand why she called her book that. This is the best writing book I have come across for primary grades. Easy to use lesson plans, examples of student work, and book title suggestions all make this the perfect writing resource. If you want to purchase the titles referenced in the book, there is a website that I found that sells them in a set, plus a lot of other stuff: www.whoossmart.com. Check them out!
Customer Reviews:
A Good Guide.......2007-07-19
Very well done and easy to understand. Samples are good and support the ideas throughout.
Practical Traits.......2006-03-19
This book offers tons of practical approaches and practice scoring for the 6 Traits of Writing. It is written by a recognized master in the field and has been so helpful.
A Friendly Read.......2006-02-26
Spandel's book is an authentic, engaging, and encouraging read for those that teach writing, want help infusing writing, or want to enhance their own writing. It is written conversationally and is well supported with numerous examples. I found it visually appealing as a reader and insightful. (Another review didn't like the visuals because it isn't easy to lift examples "as is" for sharing in class. To that angle I agree, but as a reader the layout is very pleasing.) Highly recommended.
Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction (4th Ed).......2005-07-28
This book gives so many examples of the qualities to look for and teach in writing instruction. I especially like the fact that this edition is more inclusive of secondary ideas and samples.
With this book as a guide, it is hard to miss what is important to the writing instructional process. The information is comprehensive and user friendly.
Great info, inconvenient format.......2003-08-17
Creating Writers got me charged up and well-prepared for teaching sriting/revision using the 6 Trait model. Spandel writes well, using a combination of research-based information and personal anecdotes to keep the reader's attention. I appreciate the number and variety of samples she included for practice revision/assessment. The samples were, however, not very easy to duplicate for classroom use. The print is too small and there are often two samples on one page, or one sample on several pages. The layout is difficult to work with. Overall, though, the book is excellent. I have been to two training sessions about 6 Traits, but it took Spandel's book to get me hooked and enthusiastic, and made me confident about using the 6 Traits in the classroom.The information deserves a 5 star rating. The format deserves a 2.
Product Description
More than 25 effective and engaging mini-lessons to help students strengthen their writing by learning about the traits: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Mini-lessons focus on different stages of the writing process, from prewriting to editing. Includes student writing samples and suggested children?s books to model each trait. 128 pages
Customer Reviews:
Great lessons for immediate use.......2007-07-15
This book contains transcripts and activities of lessons taught in conjunction with specific examples of children's lit. The transcripts show how the intended activity emerges. Some planning would be necessary to have these books on hand, or similar examples could be substituted. Overall, I think this will be a great book to use with my class.
Good Resource.......2007-01-19
Book is full of excellent resources. I used it with my fifth graders and they enjoyed the lessons. My only wish is there would be more lessons for each of the traits.
Best writing book I've ever used!.......2005-11-10
I am a third grade teacher of mostly at-risk students (English Lang. Learners and low socio-economic students). I was frustrated with the format of most writing instruction books. They were boring or hard to follow. I also wanted to incorporate the 6 traits of writing into my lessons, so when I saw this book, I thought I would try it.
I love how Sloan walks you through each lesson, what to say, what to do. The lessons are simple to understand and give for the teacher and the students.
It incorporates read-alouds of real books at the beginning of each lesson and shows how it ties in to what you're teaching.
My students were better writers from the very first lesson!
Amazing Book.......2005-09-30
This book is a great teaching tool. Within days of receiving it, I had already used several lessons. My class loves the lessons. I've also seen an improvement already in their writing. I have a class of second lang. learners. If it can work for them, it can work for anyone.
Product Description
A collection of forms for assessing students, planning instruction, communicating with parents, and teaching forms of writing. All the tools teachers need to make the most of the model are here, with clear guidelines for using them. 64 pages.
Customer Reviews:
Use it every week........2007-08-13
It really does take out all of the grunt work out of teaching the 6 traits. All you have to copy and teach. It's that simple.
40 Reproducilbe Forms For Writing.......2005-10-22
Exactly what I was looking for as a 4th grade teacher using 6 Trait writing in my classroom. The rubrics are easy to use and modify. The "forms" inside make understanding 6 Traits for young writers easier.
Product Description
Using Picture Books to Teach Writing With the TraitsUse high-quality picture books to help students apply the traits of writing ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. This essential resource contains over 200 teacher-friendly annotations on new and classic books, organized by trait, and trait-focused lessons based on specific books. 144 pages. Grade Level: 3-5
Customer Reviews:
Using Picture Books To Teach Writing With The Traits.......2005-10-22
A third grade teacher colleague had shared this book with me, and I had to have my own. There is nothing like having a list of books that teach the traits at your fingertips. This resource is another must-have for anyone teaching elementary students the 6 traits of writing!
Great book for teaching children how to write .......2005-09-10
This book is excellent to teach children how to write. Great connections with literature as well. Teaches the 6 traits of writing!
A Fabulous teaching tool for the 2000's!.......2005-04-21
As a parent and teacher, this book has valuable ideas that are easily accessible and understood! I found it to be a great book to have in my bag of tricks for teaching! Thanks Ms. Culham for another insightful book in your line of great books on the traits!
Customer Reviews:
How am I supposed to paint??!.......2007-06-26
How am I supposed to get my kitchen cabinets painted if I cannot put down this book! As a result of reading only the first three chapters, I already have my first weeks of writing planned for when school starts in August! I loved this book!
She needs to practice what she preaches.......2006-02-05
Spandel has done her homework and has used the trait system extensively in her classroom, which gives her much credibility. However, a well-organized reference book puts all the information about one topic in one place. Unfortunately, information about each of the traits is scattered around the book, making it extremely annoying. I'm sure she could have done better, and we all hope a new edition will prove she can even use the trait of organization herself. Let's practice what we preach.
Need help with 6-Traits Writing?-.......2005-07-21
Do you ever wonder how to score writing samples from the students in your classroom? This is the book for you! Actual writing samples are presented and evaluated. Ideas for lessons are also included. This is a must-have resource for those teaching the 6-traits of writing !
Beyond test taking, create life-long writers with voices!.......2004-10-26
Once again,in her fourth and finest revision of Creating Writers, Vicki shows us how to create more effective,independent writers.Using volumes of practice papers, scores of focused, creative trait lessons, and visits into trait-and-process based classrooms, Creating Writers helps all teachers envision how to design our own instruction models to defeat test anxiety!
You'll find her wise, witty comments on papers invaluable, her linking of reading to writing insightful, and her compassion for struggling writers inspirational. You'll welcome her ideas for teaching traits to beginners and how to use comments, conferences and peer response to support writers. She practices what we know; the source of all best writing topics, the "well" from which we can draw our real writing is our own lives.
Sometimes we need reminders that writing -and teaching writing -can be joyful! Creating Writers,4th edition,and Vicki provide that vision, as they have for me for 20 years. Keep this book on your desk!
Creating Young Writers: Essential to ALL Primary Teachers.......2004-02-13
As a consultant in over 15 schools, this book is a permanent fixture in my briefcase. I take it with me when visiting all primary teachers for good reason: it is integral to improving writing for young students. I've read mostly all of Vicki Spandel's work, and this one is yet another gem. It provides a cornucopia of essential information about the six traits of writing - student samples with valuable commentaries, concrete lessons to use immediately, teaching suggestions, assessments, and more. What is also noteworthy is that this book is versatile. It can be used for those not yet familiar with the six traits, those still experimenting with it, and those well-versed who want more tools. Bravo, Vicki, on another vital resource for teachers so they can elicit the best from their students.
Book Description
The major works of Emerson's most productive period in their entirety: "Nature: Addresses and Lectures," "Essays: First and Second Series," "Representative Men," "English Traits," and "The Conduct of Life."
Customer Reviews:
The philosopher of America.......2006-12-06
It is wonderful to have all of Emerson's essays in one volume. Like his great pupil and friend Thoreau , Emerson is a poetic thinker of the highest order. His essays are filled with aphoristic gems . They contain not simply thoughts on different subjects but an organic and coherent way of seeing and understanding the world. They are the work of a genuine American philosophical voice.
There is so much to read here that it is difficult to know where to begin, though I have an especial feeling for 'Representative Men' with its exaltation of great individual human beings .Because he is so poetic and because his writing is so dense with meaning it does not always make for easy reading. But it is firm in principle and great in suggestiveness.
The way to understand where Whitman and in a sense even William James are coming from is to read this work.
Powerful and stirring prose that still ring in the American spirit.......2006-10-26
I cannot think of another writer whose prose reads with as much poetic power as Emerson. The poetic aspect comes from the richness of meaning that continue to manifest as one lingers and thinks about the words Emerson writes rather than anything contrived or artsy. He created many powerful sentences and phrases that still live in the American spirit, and yet, for all the ringing words we love and hold close there are many thoughts and arguments that many people, including myself, find difficult to accept on any level other than being by Emerson.
For all that we love in Self-Reliance and The American Scholar, we still have to deal with his mystic essay on the Over-soul. Many conservative Christians have problems with his Transcendentalist views of religion and Christ. Reading his thoughts on "The Lord's Supper" might be interesting simply because it is Emerson. However, most orthodox believers will not come close to being convinced and today's non-believers will find it difficult to work up the energy to try and figure out what the fuss is about.
His famous essays collected under the title of Nature are fascinating and poetic views of the natural world. At least they seem that way to our more technical age. We see his Enlightenment confidence in reason and man's ability to discover the mechanisms of the Universe. While our science is remains rational, it is not quite so confident that everything can be easily discovered. We have found that for every depth we sound we discover that the bottom is only apparent. Things are deeper and stranger than the thinkers of Emerson's time ever dreamed.
This volume collects his essays and lectures into more than 1,100 pages of fascinating and wonderful reading. His poems and translations are collected into a separate volume also offered through the wonderful Library of America (don't hesitate to support them). The volume opens with a collection called "Nature; Addresses, and Lectures" and contains the eight chapters of Nature plus the four addresses The American Scholar, An Address to the Senior Class of Divinity College from 1838, Literary Ethics, and The Method of Nature. It also has five lectures: Man the Reformer, Introductory Lecture on the Times, The Conservative, The Transcendentalist, and The Young American.
There are then two collections of essays that contain famous titles such as History, Self-Reliance, The Over-Soul, The Poet, Manners, and Nature [yeah, I know it can get confusing]. This is followed by a collection called Representative Men. The seven chapters here are wonderful, but I cannot imagine anything like them being written today. The first chapter is titled "Uses of Great Men". I think I can here the deconstructionists swallowing their tongues. Then follows a chapter each for Plato the Philosopher, Swedenborg the Mystic [millions ask, WHO?], Montaigne the Skeptic, Shakespeare the poet, Napoleon the Man of the World, and Goethe the Writer.
The last two collections contain a number of short papers on English Traits and The Conduct of life. All interesting and full of Emersonian insight and beauty of language. The volume concludes with a Chronology of Emerson's life, notes on the texts, other notes, and an alphabetical index of titles (which is particularly useful given the re-use and similarity of some of these titles).
A Life Companion.......2006-09-01
I think it is probably safe to assert that to read Emerson is to be forever indebted to him. His wording, his clearness of thought, his determination, his warmth... He has all the qualities one could ask for in a writer, and all one could ask for in a mentor. Nietzsche held Emerson's books the closest, and said they were above his praise; Borges added: "Whitman and Poe have overshadowed Emerson's glory, as inventors, as founders of cults; line by line, they are inferior to him." James, the very Whitman, Proust, Frost, have all also praised him sincerely. Judging from other reviews, the love for Emerson hasn't diminished, more than a century after his passing.
For those who are not familiar with his works, it should be noted that Emerson is, without a doubt, a very unique writer. I was surprised when I realized that there is more poetry in his philosophy than in most verse books, yet he is always lucid; and that his poems, although hued by an impressive depth of thought, remain always passionate. He was renown as a brilliant lecturer, and his essays have all the force and immediacy of the oral form. Few people are so rich in memorable aphorisms - one finds a treasure of a quote in every sentence: "A drop is a small ocean"; "We are not built like a ship to be tossed, but like a house to stand"; "Whoso be a man, must be a non conformist"; "Punishment is a fruit that unsuspected ripens within the pleasure which concealed it"...
This was one of the first books the Library of America ever published, and with good reason: Emerson's writings are a Library of America on their own. This volume contains most of his major works, with the usual LOA excellency: beautiful green-cloth binding, a silk-ribbon marker, clear, acid-free, bible-thin paper, a short chronology, and a few useful notes. (No introduction of any kind, also as usual.) In short: a must buy, whether you are new to Emerson or not. My only complain is that this represents only about a half of his actual output, leaving out such important pieces as "The Lord's Supper", "The Fugitive Slave Law", the books Society and Solitude and Letters and Social Aims, his writings on Thoreau, Carlyle, Lincoln, and John Brown, and many other pieces just as revealing as the ones included here - not even counting the 15 volumes worth of journals he wrote throughout his life.
The fact that it's been more than a decade since the publication of the slight Complete Poems and Translations makes me fear LOA has neglected one of America's most beloved authors by giving priority to comparatively minor releases -like those on journalism and film criticism. Why can't Emerson get the same deserved treatment as Henry James, who by the way has now over 12 well-earned LOA volumes published? Just one more book would make this the definite edition of RWE's works; as it is, the huge and expensive Centenary Edition remains untouched as the most comprehensive one available. Furthermore, the "Uncollected Prose" section is no longer included; I can only hope it means they are saving it for a future volume. (It's been 15 years since they took it out, so I'm not holding my breath.)
Those looking for a cheaper introduction should probably check out the excellent Modern Library's The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, which besides a very generous collection of essays has a nice introduction, a selection of poems, and a few important pieces not included here.
To put it simply, if you have any interest in philosophy, literature, poetry, religion, or life, read Emerson. You may not be convinced by his arguments, but there's no point in nodding your way through a book. What remains after you finish reading it is what counts, and few writers can be found whose works are as pervasive and fondly remembered as Emerson's are.
Brilliant.......2006-02-26
Ralph Waldo Emerson was and is by far one of the most brilliant writers of American Literature. His writings are his collection of thoughts...both wise, and complicated. As if he is writing his deep most private thoughts into a diary meant to be read. You read his essays and lectures, and just feel as if you have just been exposed to something different in your life.
However, don't just take my word for it. After all, I am only sixteen years old. But this book is brilliant.
A genius who also had a conscience!.......2006-01-23
Ralph Waldo Emerson is considered by many to be one of America's greatest essayists. He also wrote poetry and the words in these essays read like poetry. It is hard to believe that that these essays were compiled and written down in the mid 1840's. The message that each one delivers is as fresh and real today as it was when Emerson said the words initially. We must remember that Emerson was very much a man of his time. His America was ready for an emphasis on individualism, and that is what he promotes in this essays. That may be why these messages have endured for so long. I found some very profound thoughts written in these essays, and the one that I think that I identified with the most were his essays on Art and on Character. I found myself nodding my head numerous times as I read these beautiful words. I certainly recommend that thee essays be read; if for no other reason than for the very beautiful usage of words.
Product Description
Providing constructive feedback on writing is essential for helping students improve their skills. With this time-saving tool from writing expert Ruth Culham, you?ll have more than 100 just-right comments at your fingertips. Correlated with student-friendly scoring guides?also included?and organized by trait, Ruth provides responses to writing at three different levels of achievement. The comments give students direction on where to focus their attention and what strategies to try as they revise or begin a new writing project. This tabbed, four-color guide is a must-have for any writing teacher!
Customer Reviews:
Books, Lessons, Ideas for Teaching the Six Traits: Writing i.......2004-03-22
This book is a collection of book titles suggested to teach each Writing Trait. The book is arranged by Writing Trait. It gives a short synopsis of a book, a suggested extension for using the particular book in order to teach a particular writing trait, and a suggested level of student with which to use the book. This book is reader friendly and a must-have for any teacher that teaches students the 6+1 Writing Traits.
Books:
- A Diver's Guide to Reef Life
- A Year in Provence
- Access All Areas: A User's Guide to the Art of Urban Exploration
- Advanced Social Psychology
- Architecture of New Prague 1895-1945
- Are You Somebody?: The Accidental Memoir of a Dublin Woman
- Backcountry Adventures Southern California: The Ultimate Guide to the Backcountry for Anyone With a Sport Utility Vehicle (Backcountry Adventures)
- Bali Houses: New Wave Asian Architecture and Design
- Big Bend Vistas: A Geological Exploration of the Big Bend
- Black Forest Cuisine: The Classic Blending of European Flavors
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
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- Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering
- Brokerage Fraud
- Career Choices: A Guide for Teens and Young Adults : Who Am I What Do I Want How Do I Get It
- Digital Rights Management: Business and Technology
- Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
- Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D.
- MBA Survival Kit--Accounting Interactive
- Chemicals and Long-Term Economic Growth: Insights from the Chemical Industry
- Cassandra at the Wedding
General
| Education
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
40 Reproducible Forms for the Writing Traits Classroom
6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades
Using Picture Books To Teach Writing With The Traits
Trait-Based Mini-Lessons for Teaching Writing in Grades 2-4
Writing to Prompts in the Trait-Based Classroom: Literature Response
