1. 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

2. 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?

3. 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.

4. 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?

5. Shaping 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.

6. 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?

7. 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.

8. SENTENCE 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!!

9. 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.

10. VOICE 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?

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. The 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.

15. 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

16. Conference 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. Activities for Word Choice Top Ten Words Word Fun, Word Books, Word Wallets Suitcase Mystery Stretching with Phonemes Delightful Descriptions Vivid Verbs

20. 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.

21. Developing Sentence Fluency Sentence Fluency Song (“Frere Jacques) Sentence fluency, The writing flows. Sentences are longer. Sentences are tighter. It sounds smooth; it sounds right. Sentence Fluency Song (“Frere Jacques) Sentence fluency, The writing flows. Sentences are longer. Sentences are tighter. It sounds smooth; it sounds right.

22. Activities 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

23. Conference 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.

24. 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!