Understanding 6 Trait Writing“First you think, then you write. Then you write some more. Finally you

get to read it to someone and make it better. Then you turn it in but sometimes it comes back anyway.”

Second grader Kayla’s insight on the writing process

Ideas and Content

• Is the writing clear, focused, and interesting?

• Do main ideas stand out as strong and developed?

• Are supporting details relevant and rich?

• Does the writing hold reader’s attention throughout?

Teaching with Ideas Trait

• Tap into their imaginations/experiences so they have topics that matter to them.

• Ask questions about drafts that lead them to see possible directions to go.

• Listen to them talk about their writing.• Play music, display art, read wonderful

books to show students that ideas can be shared in a variety of ways.

• Sing “The Ideas Song” regularly. • Use a scoring rubric as a guide.

Organization Organization

• Does organization enhance central idea and its development?

• Is there an inviting beginning? Is there a satisfying ending? Are they strong?

• Are there smooth, effective transitions and sequencing events?

• Are order and structure strong, even compelling?

• Does organization enhance central idea and its development?

• Is there an inviting beginning? Is there a satisfying ending? Are they strong?

• Are there smooth, effective transitions and sequencing events?

• Are order and structure strong, even compelling?

Shaping OrganizationShaping Organization

• Start with a bold, brilliant beginning. Make it enticing, hook your reader.

• Build a mighty middle. Make it powerful.

• Create an excellent ending. Make it memorable.

• Tie the details together so they fit and flow.

• Give your piece just the right title.

• Start with a bold, brilliant beginning. Make it enticing, hook your reader.

• Build a mighty middle. Make it powerful.

• Create an excellent ending. Make it memorable.

• Tie the details together so they fit and flow.

• Give your piece just the right title.

Word Choice

Do words convey the intended messages?

Are they interesting, precise, and natural?

Are there vivid, colorful expressions?

Do the rich words energize the writing?

Teaching with Word Choice

Find descriptive words that paint a picture in your mind.Try unusual yet appropriate words to connect with the reader.Use verbs to create an active, energetic voice.Choose precise words rather than the first word that pops into your mind.Use everyday words and phrases to make your writing sound real.

SENTENCE FLUENCYSENTENCE FLUENCY

• Does the writing have an effective easy flow and rhythm?

• Are sentences strong with varied structures that make expressive oral reading easy and enjoyable?

• Is there a natural sound to the story?

• F--L--U--U--E--E--N--C--Y!!

• Does the writing have an effective easy flow and rhythm?

• Are sentences strong with varied structures that make expressive oral reading easy and enjoyable?

• Is there a natural sound to the story?

• F--L--U--U--E--E--N--C--Y!!

Go with the Flow of Fluency

Go with the Flow of Fluency

• Listen for rhythm as you read passages aloud.

• Use poetry to focus on the sound of the language.

• Vary lengths of sentences to make ideas shine.

• Find favorite sentences and talk about what makes them strong.

• Try beginning sentences with words and phrases you’ve never used before.

• Listen for rhythm as you read passages aloud.

• Use poetry to focus on the sound of the language.

• Vary lengths of sentences to make ideas shine.

• Find favorite sentences and talk about what makes them strong.

• Try beginning sentences with words and phrases you’ve never used before.

VOICE YOUR FEELINGSVOICE YOUR FEELINGS

Does the topic come to life? Does it convey feelings,

convictions, and personality? Does the writing make you feel

something?

Does the topic come to life? Does it convey feelings,

convictions, and personality? Does the writing make you feel

something?

INSPIRING IDEAS

The Ideas Song

(sung to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)

Write, write, write your thoughts.

Make your ideas clear.

Tell the reader what you know

And what you hold most dear.

Activities for Ideas Trait

• Binoculars to focus writing• Fun with funnels• Writing center• Picture This• Narrow it down• I’m making dinner• Can you see it?• Picture books to strengthen ideas

Conference Comments

• Thanks for writing this down so I can see what you think.

• The way you drew this helps me make a picture in my mind.

• How did you ever come up with such a clever idea?

• You’ve got my interest. Tell me more!• This idea is crystal clear. You are a

glorious writer! • I love this piece. It makes sense to me.

The Organization SongThe Organization Song

• Sung to “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

• Writing has a good beginning,• Strong conclusion,• And builds bridges.• Writing has a good beginning.• The order just makes sense.

• Sung to “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

• Writing has a good beginning,• Strong conclusion,• And builds bridges.• Writing has a good beginning.• The order just makes sense.

Activities for Organization Trait

Activities for Organization Trait

• My Life Story or Life Map or Time Line• Graphic Organizers• Provide lots of models to show how authors

showcase their ideas through organization.• Use playdough to have students show/tell

steps in creating something. • Use art, music, math, science, social

studies.• Sing “The Organization Song” often.• Snaking, Carousel

• My Life Story or Life Map or Time Line• Graphic Organizers• Provide lots of models to show how authors

showcase their ideas through organization.• Use playdough to have students show/tell

steps in creating something. • Use art, music, math, science, social

studies.• Sing “The Organization Song” often.• Snaking, Carousel

Conference CommentsConference Comments• This was the perfect way to begin/end!• What is going to happen next? I can hardly

wait to find out.• The way you arrived at the solution to your

main character’s problem makes good sense.• The way you used time order words really

works well, like breadcrumbs to help me find my way.

• I was surprised by your ending! I didn’t see it coming.

• This was the perfect way to begin/end!• What is going to happen next? I can hardly

wait to find out.• The way you arrived at the solution to your

main character’s problem makes good sense.• The way you used time order words really

works well, like breadcrumbs to help me find my way.

• I was surprised by your ending! I didn’t see it coming.

The Word Choice Song

Sung to “Ring Around the Rosie”

Writing with your best words-

Finding lots of new words-

Sparkle! Dazzle!

The words stand out.

Expanding Word Choice

Print rich classroom; word wall, bulletin boards of interesting words/phrases.

Lead students to fall in love with words.

Model choosing precise words

Select words with color, sparkle, variety; lively, vivid with pop and sizzle

Activities for Word Choice

Top Ten Words

Word Fun, Word Books, Word Wallets

Suitcase Mystery

Stretching with Phonemes

Delightful Descriptions

Vivid Verbs

Conference Comments

My favorite word in your writing is “lumpidity”. What’s yours?“…zipped around the corner.” That’s exactly how cats move. I can see it.Thank you for using different words to describe the rain. It makes your writing interesting to read. The verbs you use work so well in this piece. They make things happen.

Developing Sentence Fluency

Developing Sentence Fluency

• Sentence Fluency Song (“Frere Jacques)

• Sentence fluency,• Sentence fluency,• The writing flows.• The writing flows.• Sentences are longer.• Sentences are tighter.• It sounds smooth; it sounds right.

• Sentence Fluency Song (“Frere Jacques)

• Sentence fluency,• Sentence fluency,• The writing flows.• The writing flows.• Sentences are longer.• Sentences are tighter.• It sounds smooth; it sounds right.

Activities for Fluency TraitActivities for Fluency Trait

• Find a new way to begin• Standing Sentences• Fluency Phones• Sentence Sense• Resounding Refrains• Choral Reading• Enjoying poetry

• Find a new way to begin• Standing Sentences• Fluency Phones• Sentence Sense• Resounding Refrains• Choral Reading• Enjoying poetry

Conference CommentsConference Comments

• I felt like tapping my toe to the beat when I read your piece. It has rhythm.

• Every sentence has a subject and verb. Way to go!

• Your pictures and words work together like hand and glove.

• Ending your piece with a question really works.

• It’s good that you started your sentences differently.

• I felt like tapping my toe to the beat when I read your piece. It has rhythm.

• Every sentence has a subject and verb. Way to go!

• Your pictures and words work together like hand and glove.

• Ending your piece with a question really works.

• It’s good that you started your sentences differently.

The Conventions Song

• (sung to “The Hokey Pokey”)• You put your periods in,• You pull your spelling out.• You put your capitals in,• And you shake them all about.• You make your paper better• When you edit it just right.• That’s what it’s all about!