Wednesday, November 17, 2010

11:2 6+1 Traits

When and Where I Found It:  Dr. Jones sent us a link to a website with information on the 6 + 1 Traits of writing.  When I accessed the site the other day I found that it was very detailed information on the traits.
Meaning:   According to the above website, "The 6+1 Trait Writing analytical model for assessing and teaching writing is made up of 6+1 key qualities that define strong writing".  The seven total traits put together make a detailed expectation of good student writing.  The traits that teachers should be teaching and grading based on are:  ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation.  They are referred to as the 6 + 1 traits because presentation was added on to the original six after it was realized that this was an important aspect of good writing as well.  The 6 + 1 Traits model comes with a rubric system for assessing each trait embedded within a piece of writing. 
Level of Familiarity:  I student taught at a school that gave the option of using 6 + 1 traits for writing instruction.  My teacher did not utilize this program fully so I was never really exposed to writing instruction centered around the traits.  I was aware that it was being used in some parts of the school, and I saw some classrooms that had posters of the traits up on the wall.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well?  Why?  The 6 + 1 Traits are a model that I would like to know well.  From everything that I see about this model, it addresses every aspect of student writing necessary to making a good writing piece.  I realize that this is not a 'definition' that I can know well until I have had practice teaching it, however the more I can know about it before I am teaching writing the better I will be able to implement it in my future classroom.  I would enjoy a workshop on the traits, and then the chance to carry out what I have learned in my classroom.
Do I Want Others to Know this Word Well?  Who and Why?  Any teacher who is teaching in a school that utilizes the traits should know this term well.  Addtionally, any teachers who want to be aware of a comprehensive outlook (NOT a program) to teaching writing to students of any grade level would benefit from knowing the 6 + 1 traits well.  Additionally, students would benefit from knowing this term well.  As it addresses each aspect of their writing, the ability to be taught the traits and practice them on a daily basis would produce better writing results for them.

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