INTEGRATING THE 6 TRAITS: PART 1
STRUCTURING A YEARLONG VISION
OF WRITING UNITS
Presented by Kristina Smekens — [email protected]
www.SmekensEducation.com
1-888-376-0448
©2012 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc., www.SmekensEducation.com
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6-Traits Integration: A Yearlong Vision
The 6 Traits are not genre specific or grade specific!
How does this apply to PK-1 writers?
Pictorial
Writing
What are the different types of writing I should teach?
NARRATIVE:
Personal Narrative
Imaginary Narrative
Short Story
Memoir
Fable
Fairy Tale
Tall Tale
Folktale
Mystery
Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Science Fiction
Biography
Play/Drama
Poetry
EXPOSITORY:
Book Report
Literature Response
Friendly Letter
Business Letter
Summary
Report
Research Paper
Compare—Contrast
Step-by-Step/How to
ANCHOR STANDARD 1.
Label
Writing
List
Writing
Sentence
Writing
WRITE ARGUMENTS to support
claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and
relevant and sufficient evidence. NOTE:
Although young children are not able to produce
fully developed logical arguments, they develop a
variety of methods to extend and elaborate their
work by providing examples, offering reasons for
their assertions, and explaining cause and effect.
These kinds of expository structures are steps on the
road to argument. In grades K-5, the term “opinion” is
used to refer to this developing form of argument.
PERSUASIVE:
Opinion
Recommendation, Review
Advertisement (sign, poster)
Bumper Sticker
Pro/Con List
Editorial
Persuasive Letter
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Essay
Debate
Argumentative Essay
Literary Analysis
Analysis Essay
ANCHOR STANDARD 2.
WRITE INFORMATIVE/ EXPLANATORY TEXTS
to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective
selection, organization, and analysis of content.
ANCHOR STANDARD 3.
WRITE NARRATIVES to develop real or imagined
experiences or events using effective technique,
well-chosen details, and well-structured event
sequences.
©2012 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc., www.SmekensEducation.com
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6-Traits Integration: A Yearlong Vision
Target the significant traits per writing mode/unit/stage.
Narrative
Persuasive (Opinion, Argumentative)
Expository
Letter writing
Poetry
Descriptive
Compare­—Contrast
Step-by-Step/How-to
Research
Pictorial Writing
Label Writing
List Writing
Sentence Writing
©2012 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc., www.SmekensEducation.com
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6-Traits Integration: A Yearlong Vision
Remember, we don’t teach traiting. We teach writing.
Ideas
Knowledgeable
writing topics
Develop plot/action
Develop characters
Develop setting
Focused; ideas stay on topic
Picture matches words
Writing for a purpose
Narrow topic;
thesis statement
Organization
Supporting ideas with
reasons & examples
Details,
development,
& elaboration
Pre-writing;
planning
Title
Hook; first liner
Ending; last liner
Voice
Characters with voice
Shifting attitudes/voice
within a piece
Voice with type (NO, !!!, yuck)
Reader-writer connection
Writer’s attitude or feelings
about the topic
Complete thoughts;
complete sentences
Sentence
Fluency
Varied sentence
beginnings
Varied sentence types
(. ! ? simple, compound, complex)
Clumping like ideas together
Sequence; order of ideas
Word Choice
Point-of-view
Writing to an audience
Transitions
Flashback; foreshadow
Organized by time
3-parts of BME
Readability;
sounds good;
easy to read aloud
Figurative language
Varying sentence lengths
for impact
Varied sentence lengths
Descriptions;
imagery
(show, don’t tell)
Specific nouns
(right word, right spot)
Adjectives (color words,
number words,
descriptions, 5 senses)
Beginning
capitals
Adverbs
Action verbs
Synonyms (varied word
choice); shades of meaning
Conventions
Paragraph indents
Grammar
& mechanics
Punctuation ( , ; — ‘ ... “ “ )
Endmarks .. ! ?
Proper noun
capitals
Letter formation
Left-to-right
Top-to-bottom
Word spacing
Readable spelling
Text wrapping
Spelling WWW
©2012 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc., www.SmekensEducation.com
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6-Traits Integration: A Yearlong Vision
Plan units to honor developmental readiness.
Report-Writing Unit
WEEK 1:
IDEAS:
• Identify topics.
WEEK 2:
ORGANIZATION:
• Plan/Pre-write info.
WEEK 3:
ORGANIZATION:
• Draft end.
IDEAS:
• Gather research.
ORGANIZATION:
• Draft beginning.
ALL: Revise and edit.
IDEAS:
• Draft middle.
Write a final draft of
3-page report.
Report-Writing Units
List-Writing Units
ROUND 1:
IDEAS
• List details/words on a
common topic.
IDEAS
• Stay on topic.
CONVENTIONS
• Write on a line.
Write topical,
categorical, & ABC lists.
ROUND 2:
Review/Repeat
previous skills.
ROUND 3:
Review/Repeat
previous skills.
ROUND 1:
IDEAS:
• Identify topics.
ROUND 2:
Review/Repeat
previous skills.
ROUND 3:
Review/Repeat
previous skills.
WORD CHOICE:
ORGANIZATION:
• Use precise nouns,
• Sequence details in order.
adjectives, & action verbs.
ORGANIZATION:
CONVENTIONS:
• Include simple transitions.
• Space between words.
CONVENTIONS:
• Include capitals & periods.
IDEAS:
• Gather research.
ORGANIZATION:
• Plan/Pre-write info.
ORGANIZATION:
• Teach endings.
ORGANIZATION:
• Teach beginnings.
ALL TRAITS:
Draft, revise, and edit.
Write list poems.
Write a first draft of
½ page report.
Write how-to lists
in sentence form.
IDEAS:
• Develop middles.
Write a first draft of
1-page report.
Write a final draft of
3-page report.
©2012 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc., www.SmekensEducation.com
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Yearlong Planning Calendar: Sample for Grades 2-12
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
LAUNCH THE WRITING YEAR
1-3 days
5-10 days
6-12 days
1-2 days
Identify writing topics
Establish writing procedures
Introduce the 6 Traits
Build a writing rubric
EXPOSITORY
• 3 days —
Multiple
first-draft
paragraphs
NARRATIVE
• 5 days —
First-draft
narrative
MAINTENANCE
• 3 days—
EXPOSITORY
• 5-8 days —
First-draft
report (2-5
paragraphs)
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
MAINTENANCE
• 3 days—
MAINTENANCE
• 2 days—
MAINTENANCE
• 2 days—
MAINTENANCE
• 3 days—
STATE
ASSESSMENT
POETRY
• 3 days —
Multiple firstdraft poems
EXPOSITORY
• 9 days —
Final draft
2-page report
NARRATIVE
• 3-5 days —
Multiple first
drafts
POETRY
• 3 days—
Multiple first
drafts
NARRATIVE
• 10-12 days
— Final-draft
narrative
PERSUASIVE
• 3 days —
First-draft letter
EXPOSITORY
• 15 days —
Final-draft
4-page
research
EXPOSITORY
• 5 days —
Multiple first
drafts (3-5
paragraphs)
NARRATIVE
• 5-10 days —
First-draft short
story
MAINTENANCE
• 2 days—
PERSUASIVE
• 2 days —
First-draft
letter/essay
MAINTENANCE
• 2-3 days—
APRIL
PERSUASIVE
10 days —
Final-draft
letter/essay
MAINTENANCE
3 days—
EXPOSITORY
• 5-7 days —
First draft (5+
paragraphs)
MAINTENANCE
• 3-5 days—
MAY
LANDING
REINFORCE—
Focus on 3 key
skills to review.
Address them
within lots of
one-day, firstdraft writings.
or
REFINE—
Polish 1-2 pieces
of writing.
PERSUASIVE
• 5 days —
Multiple first
drafts
©2012 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc., www.SmekensEducation.com
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Yearlong Planning Calendar: Sample for Kindergarten
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
LAUNCH THE WRITING YEAR
1-3 days
5-10 days
6-12 days
1-2 days
Identify writing topics
Establish writing procedures
Introduce the 6 Traits
Build a writing rubric
DRAWING
• Black/white v.
color
• Size, shape,
proportion
MAINTENANCE
LABELING
• Initial letter
labeling
NOVEMBER
DRAWING
• Adding more
details
• Multiple objects
• Multiple pages
(BME)
MAINTENANCE
LISTING
• Category lists
• ABC lists
DECEMBER
LABELING
• Initial/end letter
labeling
• Stretching
words (vowels)
• Pictures match
words
LISTING
• List Poems
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MAINTENANCE
LISTING
• How-to lists
ONE SENTENCE
• Words make a
sentence
• Pictures match
words
• Ideas makes
sense
• Beginning sent.
capital
• Period
• Word spacing
MAINTENANCE
MANY
SENTENCES
• Ideas make
sense
• Stays on topic
• Sentences in
logical order
• Text wrapping
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
LANDING
MANY
SENTENCES
• Exciting
sentences !
• Question
sentences ?
MANY
SENTENCES
• Beginning
sentence
• Ending
sentence
REINFORCE—
Focus on 3 key
skills to review.
Address them
within lots of
one-day, firstdraft writings.
LISTING
• Pre-write word
lists
or
REFINE—
Polish 1-2 pieces
of writing.
Yearlong Planning Calendar: Sample for Grade 1
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
LAUNCH THE WRITING YEAR
1-3 days
5-10 days
6-12 days
1-2 days
Identify writing topics
Establish writing procedures
Introduce the 6 Traits
Build a writing rubric
DRAWING
• Drawing with
details
• Multiple objects
• Multiple pages
(BME)
MAINTENANCE
LABELING
• Word labeling
• Pictures match
words
NOVEMBER
MAINTENANCE
LISTING
• Category lists
• ABC lists
• List Poems
• How-To lists
SENTENCE(S)
• Words make a
sentence
• Pictures match
words
• Ideas makes
sense
• Stays on topic
• Word spacing
DECEMBER
LISTING
• How-To lists
SENTENCE(S)
• Sentences in
logical order
• Beginning
sentence capital
• Period
• Text wrapping
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
LANDING
LISTING
• Pre-write
word lists
SENTENCES
• Beginning
sentence
• Ending
sentence
SENTENCES
• Varied sentence
beginnings
• Varied sentence
lengths
SENTENCES
• Varied sentence
types .!?
REINFORCE—
Focus on 3 key
skills to review.
Address them
within lots of
one-day, firstdraft writings.
SENTENCE(S)
• Exciting
sentences !
• Question
sentences ?
©2012 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc., www.SmekensEducation.com
or
REFINE—
Polish 1-2 pieces
of writing.
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6-Traits Integration: A Yearlong Vision
Next Steps: Where do I go from here?
webinars
Kristina Smekens
DON’T FORGET! COMING UP NEXT ...
PART 2 • Wednesday, October 10: Utilizing Kid-Friendly Rubrics
PART 3 • Wednesday, October 17: Managing Grammar & Conventions
PART 4 • Thursday, October 18: Teaching Key Skills within Various Writing Genres
©2012 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc., www.SmekensEducation.com
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