Creating Young Writers: Using the Six Traits to Enrich Writing Process in Primary Classrooms / Edition 3

by Vicki Spandel

Overview

Creating Young Writers: Using the Six Traits to Enrich Writing Process in Primary Classrooms, 3/e gives new and experienced K-3 teachers the most comprehensive guide available to using the highly popular six-traits approach to writing. Well-respected author Vicki Spandel presents an in-depth look at the writing process and how it connects to the six traits, while encouraging them to write continuously with students and model their own personal writing process. The book is a goldmine of activities, strategies, and lesson ideas ideal for use in the K-3 classroom or as part of a study group.

Here’s what’s new:

· NEW! All information pertaining to a given trait–rubrics, papers, lessons, and book recommendation–appears in one place.

· NEW! Primary writing guides have been revised to make assessment easy.

· NEW! Advanced writing guides for young writers who are ready are now included.

· NEW! Trait-inspired lessons systematically build skills in prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing.

· NEW! Brand new book recommendations include suggestions for linking reading and writing.

· NEW! New lessons specifically designed to make modeling simple and comfortable–even for new teachers.

· NEW! Each new sample paper has its own lessons to teach.

· NEW! Specific suggestions show how to make workshop and process work in your particular teaching style.

· NEW! New and expanded discussion questions and activities at the end of each chapter make this edition ideal for use as a classroom or study group text.

· NEW! Keys to Success suggestions embedded within each chapter help teachers make the most of every strategy or lesson.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780132685856
Publisher:	Pearson Education
Publication date:	08/08/2011
Series:	Creating 6-Trait Revisers and Editors Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Vicki Spandel has worked as a language arts teacher, researcher, editor, journalist, technical writer, and award winning video producer. In 1984, Vicki coordinated the 17-member teacher team out of Beaverton, Oregon, that developed the original, internationally recognized 6-trait model for writing assessment and instruction. Since that time, she has served as scoring director for more than 80 state, county, and district writing assessments, and has developed instructional writing materials for students K through college. She is a frequent visitor in writing classrooms, providing coaching on writing, revision, and editing.

Vicki is the author or co-author (with Jeff Hicks) of more than 30 books for teachers and students, including Creating Young Writers, 2^nd Edition (2008, Allyn and Bacon), The 9 Rights of Every Writer (2005, Heinemann), The Write Traits Classroom Kits, Grades 1 through 8 (Great Source Education Group), Write Traits Advanced, Grades 9 through 12 (Great Source), and most recently, Write Traits Kindergarten: Bringing the Traits to Kinderwriters (2008, Great Source). She lives with her family in the beautiful Three Sisters Wilderness area of Central Oregon, where she is currently working on several picture books.

Table of Contents

Coming Face to Face with the Six Traits

Where Do the Six Traits Come From?

Creating a Vision of Success

It’s All About Language

The Six “Keys to Good Writing”

Ideas: The Message

Organization: Design

Voice: Fingerprints on the Page

Word Choice: Phrasing

Sentence Fluency: Rhythm and Flow

Conventions and Presentation: Preparing to Publish

Where Should I Begin?

CHAPTER 1 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Setting the Stage

What does writing workshop look like?

In Judy’s Writing Workshop

Focus on Student Writers

Opening Lessons

Conferences

Sharing

It must be working

Connecting Traits to Writing Process

Planning

Drafting

Conferences

Sharing

Revising

Revising a Sketch

Revision Strategies for Young Writers

Editing

Publishing

Speed Week

Three Published Examples

CHAPTER 2 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Tracking Down Ideas

Teaching Ourselves First

Teacher 6-Point Writing Guide

Primary Writing Guide

3 Parts to a Writing Guide Continuums: Another Way to View Writing

The Importance of Art

What to Look for–and What to Say

Looking Inside Writing

CHAPTER 3 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Teaching Ideas within Writing Process

When do I teach the traits? How much time do I spend?

Which trait do I teach first?

5 Ways to Teach IDEAS

Teaching IDEAS Conceptually

Ideas as Imagination and Observation 87 n Ideas as Pictures in the Mind

Ideas as Messages

Ideas as “Something to Write About”

Lessons & Strategies for Teaching IDEAS

Modeling Suggestions for the Trait of IDEAS

Some of the Best Books Around for Teaching IDEAS

CHAPTER 4 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Spotting Organization

Teaching Ourselves First

Teacher 6-Point Writing Guide for Organization

Primary Writing Guide for Organization

Continuum for Organization

What to Look for–and What to Say

Looking Inside Writing

CHAPTER 5 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Teaching Organization within Writing Process

Why teach organization as the second trait?

5 Ways to Teach ORGANIZATION

Teaching ORGANIZATION Conceptually

Organization as Order

Organization as Grouping

Organization as Planning

Organization as Sculpting

Lessons & Strategies for Teaching ORGANIZATION

Modeling Suggestions for the Trait of ORGANIZATION

Some of the Best Books Around for Teaching ORGANIZATION

CHAPTER 6 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

on the Hunt for Voice

Teaching Ourselves First

Teacher 6-Point Writing Guide for Voice

Primary Writing Guide for Voice

Continuum for Voice

What to Look for–and What to Say

Looking Inside Writing

CHAPTER 7 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Teaching Voice within Writing Process

Why voice matters

5 Ways to Teach VOICE

Teaching VOICE Conceptually

Voice as Metaphor

Voice as Individuality

Voice as Art

Voice as Mood

Lessons & Strategies for Teaching VOICE Modeling Suggestions for the Trait of VOICE

Some of the Best Books Around for Teaching VOICE

CHAPTER 8 IN A NUTSHELL STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES Coming Up in Search of Word Choice

Teaching Ourselves First

Teacher 6-Point Writing Guide for Word Choice

Primary Writing Guide for Word Choice

Continuum for Word Choice

What to Look for–and What to Say

Looking Inside Writing

CHAPTER 9 IN A NUTSHELL STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Teaching Word Choice within Writing Process

What are we teaching when we teach word choice?

5 Ways to Teach WORD CHOICE

Teaching WORD CHOICE Conceptually

Word Choice as Meaning

Word Choice as Weight

Word Choice as The Target

Lessons & Strategies for Teaching WORD CHOICE

Modeling Suggestions for the Trait of WORD CHOICE

Some of the Best Books Around for Teaching WORD CHOICE

CHAPTER 10 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

stalking Sentence Fluency

Teaching Ourselves First

Teacher 6-Point Writing Guide for Sentence Fluency

Primary Writing Guide for Sentence Fluency

Continuum for Sentence Fluency

What to Look for–and What to Say

Looking Inside Writing

CHAPTER 11 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Teaching Sentence Fluency within Writing Process

What are we teaching?

5 Ways to Teach SENTENCE FLUENCY

Teaching SENTENCE FLUENCY Conceptually

Fluency as Dance and Rhythm

Fluency as Personal Poetry

Fluency as “Come Alive” Poetry

Lessons & Strategies for Teaching SENTENCE FLUENCY

Modeling Suggestions for the Trait of SENTENCE FLUENCY

Some of the Best Books Around for Teaching SENTENCE

FLUENCY

CHAPTER 12 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Celebrating Conventions & Presentation

Teaching Ourselves First

Teacher 6-Point Writing Guide for Conventions & Presentation

Primary Writing Guide for Conventions & Presentation

Continuum for Conventions & Presentation

What to Look for–and What to Say

Looking Inside Writing

CHAPTER 13 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

Teaching Conventions & Presentation within Writing Process

What are we teaching?

5 Ways to Teach CONVENTIONS & PRESENTATION

Teaching CONVENTIONS & PRESENTATION Conceptually

Conventions as Customs

Conventions as Courtesy

Presentation as Packaging and Design

Lessons & Strategies for Teaching CONVENTIONS &

PRESENTATION

Modeling Suggestions for the Trait of CONVENTIONS &

PRESENTATION

Some of the Best Books Around for Teaching CONVENTIONS &

PRESENTATION

CHAPTER 14 IN A NUTSHELL

STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Coming Up

assessing Young Writers Well

Three Levels of Assessment

Level 3: Large-Scale Formal Assessment

Level 2: Classroom Assessment

Level 1: Personal Assessment

Making Assessment All It Can Be

At the Large-Scale Level

Making Assessment All It Can Be

At the Classroom Level

The Dreaded Grades

Final Thoughts
CHAPTER 15 IN A NUTSHELL STUDY GROUP: INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES SOURCES CITED

Appendix Connection Between College- and Career-Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing and the Six Traits of Writing

Index

Editorial Reviews

Third Time’s a Charm

Is it possible that one book could serve as a quick, easy to use resource for just about everything a primary teacher needs to know about writing instruction? After reading Vicki Spandel’s Creating Young Writers: Using the Six Traits to Enrich Writing Process in Primary Classrooms (3^rd ed.), I’m starting to think this might be the one. True to form, Spandel continues to open our eyes to the most important concepts about teaching writing, but in the third edition of this trusted resource, she does so while seamlessly weaving the six traits together with the components of writing workshop, writing process, and authentic literature.

In this edition, we encounter Spandel’s familiar voice of knowledge and reason, as she takes us back to the roots of the six traits, clearing away the cobwebs collecting on those old rubrics and inviting us (giving us permission?) to celebrate real, true writing in all its forms - and in the products of our young writers . In doing so, she reminds us that – as valuable as rubrics and terminology may be - our best instructional decisions still rest in the hearts and writing of the children sitting in front of us every day. To readers of Spandel’s other works, this will come as no surprise.

So, then, what’s new in the 3^rd edition? Lots! For starters, the entire book has been redesigned, making it more user friendly than ever, and the organizational structure is completely different. In this edition, everything about a single trait is grouped together, making finding specific information faster and easier. Two chapters are dedicated to each of the six traits – one that clarifies the trait followed by a chapter that gives practical ideas for integrating it into your workshop and process instruction. Spandel scaffolds our own learning as she shows us how to model writing and highlights what we need to look for (and say!) when exploring the concepts of each trait with our learners. Spandel includes a new feature - perfectly placed side bar notes called “Keys to Success” - where she shares useful tips and thoughts to help you stay focused and on target. You’ll also notice stronger conversations about the writing process and the writing workshop sprinkled throughout the new edition. And, if you’re like me, you’ll appreciate the revised primary writing guides and continuums as well as the addition of writing guides for our youngest writers who aren’t yet ready for the traditional ones from the second edition.

Reading the 3^rd edition of Creating Young Writers is like revisiting an old friend who’s just back from college. The same, familiar companion, but wiser for the time away. Updated with new sample papers, book recommendations, and study group reflections, this book is a must have. Whether you’re new to writing instruction or you’re checking back in for a tune up, you’ll feel an instant connection with an author who knows her stuff and knows how to deliver it well. And, when she’s done, you’ll walk away content that you’ve invested your valuable time wisely and empowered to apply your new learning to your daily writing instruction.

Terry Thompson
Instructional Intervention Teacher
Windcrest Elementary
North East ISD
San Antonio, Texas

A Must Have

From the Publisher