6+1 Writing Traits

Nancy Ennisnancy_ennis@hcpss.org

Technology Resource TeacherOffice of Media and Educational Technologies

Howard County

Christina Hatawaychristina_hataway @hcpss.org

Elementary Technology TeacherWaverly Elementary School

Howard County

Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will have:

• An understanding of the 6 + 1 Writing Traits

• Explored a variety of technology activities supporting the 6 + 1 Writing Traits

• Access to ready-to-use activities for teaching the 6+1 Writing Traits with technology.

6 & 1 Writing Trait/Technology Activities and Examples

Websites http://staff.howard.k12.md.us/~nancyen

http://home.comcast.net/~nennis

Agenda

• Introduction of 6 + 1 Writing Traits

• Examples of Writing Traits templates using technology

• Questions?

What are the 6 + 1 traits?

• Ideas • Organization• Word Choice• Sentence

Fluency• Voice• Conventions• Presentation

Trait 1: Idea Development

• Having quality details is more important than having quantity details

• Unique idea or approach is being written about

• Bigger topics are supported by sub-topics

• Writing centers around a main idea http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm

• What is my message?• Is my message clear?• Did I try hard to make it

interesting?• Do I have enough information?

Trait 1: Idea Development

• Inspiration• Rapid Fire brainstorming• About Me, About Me, Fancy

• Digital Images: focusing• Sea Lions• Sea Lion

Trait 2: Organization

• Strong introduction to the piece of writing

• Writing comes to a satisfying conclusion• Transitions are used to move the idea

along logically• Paragraphs are written with purpose• Introduction somehow links back to the

conclusion• Title the piece effectively http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm

• How does my paper begin?

• Did I tell things in order?

• Does everything link to my message?

• How does my paper end?

Trait 2: Organization

• Word– Storyboard (podcasts)

• Kidspiration:– Ideas using images (images from Google Images)

• Frog– Outlining feature – Ideas using phrases

– Spider brainstorming– Spiders

– Venn Diagram/ Graphic Organizers – (KidPix, Inspiration, Word)

Trait 3: Word Choice

• Understands the importance of strong verbs• Understands the importance of precise

nouns• Understands the importance of interesting

adjectives• Takes risks with words• Alliteration or other types of sound devices http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm

Have I used words that I really love?

Have I used any new words?

Did I try not to repeat words too many times?

Can my reader tell what my words mean?

Trait 3: Word Choice

• Internet:• www.thesaurus.com (Website) • www.dictionary.com (Website) • Dictionary/thesaurus (Word) • SIRS Discoverer (Website)

http://www.visuwords.com/(Website)

• Editing activities (Word)

Trait 4: Sentence Fluency

• Variety of transitions are used• Variety of sentence beginnings are used• Variety of sentence lengths are used• When reading the writing aloud, the

words sound natural• Complex and simple sentences are used

to promote rhythm in the language http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm

Did I use sentences?

Do my sentences begin in different ways?

Does my paper sound smooth when I listen to it?

Did I use some short and some long sentences?

Trait 4: Sentence Fluency

• Audio Recorder– My First Day

• Power Point– Record narration for fluency– Book Review (ppt)

• Audacity/Garageband– Student Podcasts– Clemens Crossing Elementary School– Willowdale Elementary School

Trait 5: Voice

• Awareness of an audience• Passion towards the topic• Devices of style (such as figurative

language), when appropriate• Capture a tone or mood (including

humor) with words, when appropriate• Awareness of perspective and point-

of-view http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm

Do I really like this writing?

Does this writing sound like me?

How do I want my readers to feel?

My favorite part is ______.

Trait 5: Voice

• PowerPoint– Dog Book

• dialog

– Secret Knowledge of Grownups• Flipper Page

Trait 6: Conventions

• Correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and usage

• Effective paragraphing that strengthens the structure of the piece

• Use of conventions that adds style and supports the reader’s understanding of the text

http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm

Did I leave spaces between words?

Did I use a title?

Did I use periods or question marks?

Is it easy to read my spelling?

Could another person read my paper

Trait 6: Conventions

• Wiki– Eats, Shoots, and leaves

• Word– Spelling– Capitalization

• Excel– If/then

+1: Presentation

• Audio Recording (Audio Recorder)

• Audio CD (iTunes)

– Mother’s Day Poems

• Podcast (Audacity)– http://www.podcastforteachers.org/

Who'sUsingPodcastingInEducationAndHow.htm#examples– http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/wells/– http://learninginhand.com/podcasting/

• Slide Show (PowerPoint)

• Wiki or Blog• Webpage• Brochure, Book Jacket (Word)

Book Ideas for 6+1 Writing Traits

Conventions – Punctuation Takes a Vacation by Robin Pulver – Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss

Voice– At The Dog Park with Sam and Lucy by Daisy Bix

Sentence Fluency– Wolf by Sara Fenilli

Word Choice– No Thumpin', No Bumpin', No Rumpus Tonight! by Nancy Patz – Hooray for You! by Marrianne Richmond

Word Choice/ Sentence Fluency– Pumpernickel Tickle and Mean Green Cheese by Nancy Patz – Thesaurus Rex by Laya Steinberg

Sentence Fluency/ Conventions– Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie– Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups by David Wisniewski