December 12, 2011
6-Traits Resources: Digital Magazine!
I invite all readers of this blog to also visit my new curated 6-Traits Digital Magazine. This new effort casts a wider net over all aspects of writing, the writing process, 6-traits, Common Core Standards and more. Just click an image below to see what I'm talking about! ~ Dennis
December 4, 2011
Video: Common Core for English: Read like a detective and write like a conscientious investigative reporter!
View this thought provoking video about Common Core Standards.
Read like a detective and write like a consceintious investigative reporter!
Shifts promoted by the CC Standards
Major move toward reading informational texts at all levels is the main message.
Writing at the high school is dominated by personal opinion / narrative? The shift is to writing that conveys an arguement that can be supported with facts. Narrative is not eliminated, but takes second place to informative writing.
As a heart and soul writing teacher I've taught writing in the context of personal narrative. Using this mode remains the best way to teach fundamentals. However I have to agree with the lectures statement that in general "People don't give a shit about your opinions." His point being that writers should be able convey information and support their opinions with facts.
I don't worry about writing being sidelined. That's already happened after years of distorted emphasis delivered by NCLB.
I hope that the CC standards will help us shift our teaching to the point where critical thinking and being able to 'write like a conscientious investigative reporter' becomes a more common reality in classrooms across the country.
I wouldn't be a teacher if I didn't have an enormous capacity for hope. ~ Dennis
December 3, 2011
Digital Writing Workshop: The Writing Process Evolves
Troy Hicks, author of the Digital Writing Workshop (Heinemann, 2009), offers an overview of the five principles guiding writing instruction in the 21st century:http://www.heinemann.com/products/E02674.aspx
The digital writing workshop ning Troy mentions at the end of this broadcast is no longer online. For a vibrant online community investigate Jim Burk's English Companion Ning.
Also this blog post from the Enhanced English Teacher will give you more information and ideas about Troy's Digital Writing Workshop
The digital writing workshop ning Troy mentions at the end of this broadcast is no longer online. For a vibrant online community investigate Jim Burk's English Companion Ning.
Also this blog post from the Enhanced English Teacher will give you more information and ideas about Troy's Digital Writing Workshop
November 19, 2011
NEW! 6-Traits Resources Digital Magazine
I've launched a new digital magazine as part of my ongoing project to broadcast great resources about writing and the 6-Traits. This magazine format is easy to read and will open your ideas to many new sites and ideas. Below is a brief glimpse at the latest topics I've posted. Visit and click follow if you'd like to be informed when new content is posted.
I hope all of the loyal followers of this blog, also become followers of the new magazine. I'd also love to get suggestions from all of you.
Here's where you can contribute:
- Here on the 6-Traits Resources Blog
- 6-Traits Resources Digital Magazine
- 6-Traits Resources Facebook Page
I hope to hear your voice! Here, there,everywhere! ~ Dennis
November 11, 2011
Word processing taught me how to spell.
I overcame a severe spelling problem thanks to spell check.
I discovered (on my own) that spell check was providing me with individualized feedback on my spelling.
I was missing the same words over and over again. (Just as I'd done with spelling lists all through school.)
To this day I have trouble spelling, especially when I'm tired. I still misspell 'receive' about half the time.
(photo: NEO Loaner Program)
Main point: Let's explicitly teach our students how to improve their spelling by seeing spell check and grammar check as individualized instruction from a slightly crazy robotic tutor. We can't always trust what the machine says. However it does give us a series of learning opportunities.
I recall arguing with English teachers when word processing first became widely available. Many were convinced it was the end of writing (and civilization). For me it was a technology that changed my life. (Now, as a Certified Geezer, I still depend on my word processor and spell check to make my living.)
Dennis, who is blurry eyed in Valley Center
(Five spelling errors corrected when I first checked. Several more after I revised. This did not include three spell check prompted stabs at receive.) 8-)
November 3, 2011
Synesthesia, Painting, Poetry, Sentence Fluency, Rhythm with Toby Lurie
Poetry - Painting - Song
Later in my teaching practice I started writing grants to bring writers and illustrators to my school district. This helped me build a relationship with painter, musician and poet, Toby Lurie: http://www.tobypoet.com.
Toby is an amazing, creative, and unpredictable guy. (The link to his site will introduce you to his work. He shares many QuickTime audio clips of his work that trigger creativity.) It is fun to find him on the Internet after all these years.
Synesthesia part 1 from Terrence Vaughn on Vimeo.
Later in my teaching practice I started writing grants to bring writers and illustrators to my school district. This helped me build a relationship with painter, musician and poet, Toby Lurie: http://www.tobypoet.com.Toby is an amazing, creative, and unpredictable guy. (The link to his site will introduce you to his work. He shares many QuickTime audio clips of his work that trigger creativity.) It is fun to find him on the Internet after all these years.
I recall meeting him for the first time. Toby was wild white bearded poet with a dangerous gleam in his eye. One look at him and I realized that he was going to draw some lightening. I was the language arts coordinator for a conservative Nevada school district. I knew Toby was going to make waves and I was glad to aide and abet in a little artistic subversion. We were at the district's biggest high school. I'd planned a full school assembly, but an uptight vice principal sand bagged me and side tracked us to a remote spot in the school where they kept the 'tough' kids.
As I was about to introduce Toby to a huge class of hyper-active alternative ed high school kids. I didn't have a clue what he was going to do. The rowdy group had the bored vibe of caged cats. I was sure this crowd of edgy and angry adolescents would tear us apart.
As I was about to introduce Toby to a huge class of hyper-active alternative ed high school kids. I didn't have a clue what he was going to do. The rowdy group had the bored vibe of caged cats. I was sure this crowd of edgy and angry adolescents would tear us apart.
Just as I introduced Toby, he whispered in my ear, "Tell them I don't speak any English." I followed his lead and got out of the way.
Toby proceed to emote with sounds and facial gestures and within seconds he captured everyone's attention. He spoke gibberish but it didn't matter. This guy knew how to communicate with sound alone, words were an afterthought. The kids were riveted by the odd man capering and grunting in front of them.
By the end of the assembly everyone was up moving and chanting, found poetry echoed off the walls and we were all swimming in Toby's unique tone patterns. Sometimes it's good to be in alternative ed!
By the end of the assembly everyone was up moving and chanting, found poetry echoed off the walls and we were all swimming in Toby's unique tone patterns. Sometimes it's good to be in alternative ed!
To really appreciate Toby's work you need to hear and see him. This new video Synesthesia Part 1 will give you a taste.
Synesthesia part 1 from Terrence Vaughn on Vimeo.
Choral Reading, Toby Style
Several years later on one of his return visits, Toby taught me a great method that ties perfectly into the concepts of rhythm and sentence fluency. After a writing session, Toby had each student pick a single line from their work. Then he called 6-8 volunteers to come to the front of the room. They lined up shoulder to shoulder and started to read their lines in order from left to right. The first boy read. Then the second. Suddenly Toby would point back to the first and have him repeat the line. Toby would would mug and gesture and flail his arms like a demented conductor, all to draw more emotion and voice from the reader.
We soon understood that Toby was conducting a word orchestra and hearing special music.
The kids began reading their lines louder or lower, deadpan or angry, happy or weeping. Once the whole group of young ones had read once, Toby layered together a sound poem based on the melodies of repeated lines and varied voice.
Sometimes Toby had the same student read two or three times in a row or come back to one particularly powerful line repeatedly. No one in the chorus knew when they'd be called on and everyone was amazed at the nuances and lunacies that spilled out of it all.
Toby created a wild reader's theater of word choice, sentence fluency, voice, organization, and ideas all wrapped in a spontaneously generated poem. It was hilarious, energizing, fun. Everyone loved it.
Several years later on one of his return visits, Toby taught me a great method that ties perfectly into the concepts of rhythm and sentence fluency. After a writing session, Toby had each student pick a single line from their work. Then he called 6-8 volunteers to come to the front of the room. They lined up shoulder to shoulder and started to read their lines in order from left to right. The first boy read. Then the second. Suddenly Toby would point back to the first and have him repeat the line. Toby would would mug and gesture and flail his arms like a demented conductor, all to draw more emotion and voice from the reader.
We soon understood that Toby was conducting a word orchestra and hearing special music.
The kids began reading their lines louder or lower, deadpan or angry, happy or weeping. Once the whole group of young ones had read once, Toby layered together a sound poem based on the melodies of repeated lines and varied voice.
Sometimes Toby had the same student read two or three times in a row or come back to one particularly powerful line repeatedly. No one in the chorus knew when they'd be called on and everyone was amazed at the nuances and lunacies that spilled out of it all.
Toby created a wild reader's theater of word choice, sentence fluency, voice, organization, and ideas all wrapped in a spontaneously generated poem. It was hilarious, energizing, fun. Everyone loved it.
All of this points to the powerful mix of music, performance, and poetry that supports sentence fluency (and all the other traits as well).
I used this method myself two or three times a year for the rest of my classroom teaching career. I got so I could conduct a pretty good sound/word poem, but I could never top the Maestro!
Synesthesia part 2 from Terrence Vaughn on Vimeo.
Synesthesia part 2 from Terrence Vaughn on Vimeo.
October 31, 2011
Writing Across the Curriculum - Writing Lesson of the Month Network
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Join this group!- This group receives special notice whenever a new writing across the curriculum lesson or resource is posted at WritingFix.
To see a list of all the groups on this Ning Click Here.
Writing Lesson Of the Month Network: 16,000 + members and growing!
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October 22, 2011
WritingFix Search Trick
I love to search the Internet. It's one of my passions. I've got an entire website dedicated to searching and evaluating online resources: http://21cif.com.
Here's a WritingFix search trick:
Use any search engine or go directly to the WritingFix homepage and use the search box in the upper right hand corner.
Seach term examples:
- writingfix primary
- writingfix elementary
- writingfix middle
- writingfix high school
- ideas
- voice
- organization
- word choice
- sentence fluency
- conventions
- tone
- mood
- style
- brainstorming
- grammar
- writing process
- mentor texts
- expository
- narrative
- persuasive
- poetry
- research
- raft
- wac
- science
- social studies
- math
- history
- lesson plans
If you're ever stuck for a good lesson, give it a try!
October 7, 2011
6-Tips for Writing Web Content
Writing for the Web
- Understand how people read on the web
- Help readers skim and scan
- Put the essential message first
- Chunk your information
- Use headings and subheadings
- Write in plain language
Posted from Diigo. Tags: writing, 6-traits, technology
The rest of 6-Traits Resources group favorite links are here.
September 28, 2011
National Writing Project Find a Site
http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/doc/findasite/home.csp
Click the link and go to an interactive version of this map that details writing project sites across the country. You are not alone!
Click the link and go to an interactive version of this map that details writing project sites across the country. The classroom can be a lonely place. However, you are not alone even if the teacher's room in your school is a dispirited trench.
Reach out and connect with like minds!
Click the link and go to an interactive version of this map that details writing project sites across the country. You are not alone!
Click the link and go to an interactive version of this map that details writing project sites across the country. The classroom can be a lonely place. However, you are not alone even if the teacher's room in your school is a dispirited trench.
Reach out and connect with like minds!
September 18, 2011
Helping teachers become writing teachers.
Syllabus
How this class came to be:
My first formal online learning experience was in 1996. I took an online class offered by the Milken Family Foundation that was mentored by the great Lajeane Thomas of ISTE and Louisiana Tech renown. Thanks to LaJeane I returned to school and earned an online masters degree focused on online teaching and learning.
I began teaching online in 1999. I wrote and started teaching my 6-Traits class in 2001 for the University of Northern Iowa. I moved the class to the University of Wisconsin Stout in 2005. I've taught the course nearly every semester for the past 10 years.
The two essential drivers that make this class work are a very strong sense of community that encourages teachers to share methods and practice scoring of papers using a number of databases that provide expert feedback. It's all about hands on discovery of highly practical ideas. My litmus test is: "Will this work on Monday morning?" I also enjoy helping teachers discover that they've been teaching with the traits all along. Learning the vocabulary of the traits helps everyone understand the bigger picture of writing instruction.
I learned about 6-Traits and the writing process when I was an elementary teacher in the 80's. Later, as a district Language Arts coordinator, I worked with the Northern Nevada Writing Project to train dozens of teachers. This early exposure to the writing process, combined with 25 years in the classroom and 10 years online make this online class a rich experience.
I love teaching this class. It's a chance to connect with teachers from around the world and share practical methods and materials about 6-Traits and the writing process.
I also publish the 6-Traits Resources Facebook Page as a way to share ideas about writing and teaching. https://www.facebook.com/6Traits
If you now of anyone who would be interested in this class pass it on?
Helping teachers become writing teachers is one of the most satisfying things in the world. ~ Dennis
University of Wisconsin-Stout of EDUC 744 Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits.
For more information: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/traits.cfm
September 12, 2011
Fall 2011: Online Class: Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits
EDUC 744 3 graduate credits
EDUC 744 920 Elem (PK-4) 3 graduate credits September 26 – November 18, 2011
EDUC 744 909 Middle School-Adult 3 graduate credits September 26 – November 18, 2011
(voice, ideas, word choice, organization, sentence fluency and conventions). Learn to use the 6-Traits with the writing process to teach revision strategies. Help learners meet higher standards and improve test scores.
What students are saying:
"I began this course thinking of myself as something of a blank slate with regards to the teaching of writing. I felt that writing was often a hit or miss proposition in my classroom. Today I see that while there are certainly holes in my second grade writing instruction, I'm actually doing more then I thought. I'm not starting from square #1. Today I'm able to categorize and organize what I'm already doing, plus add new things, using the framework of the 6 traits."
"I feel very fortunate to be taking a course like this so early in my teaching career. Someone mentioned to me recently that while there are many great ideas within the 6 trait model, it's easy to slip back into one's old ways of doing things. Perhaps I'm lucky in that I have no old ways to slip back into."
"I've had several important realizations as a result of work we've done these past weeks. The first is the specific connections that I now make between reading and writing. Naturally I was always aware that a connection existed. I knew on some level that reading to my kids was beneficial to their writing development. But too often the reading was undirected and without a plan. Today I have an arsenal of literature with which I can model, discuss, and teach specific traits in a focused way. And I don't have to teach writing alone. I now have the great authors of the world to help me. I can point to a piece of literature and say to my kids, "Take a look at what this author has done. We can do something similar in our own writing."
I've been teaching this course online for almost ten years. It remains my favorite course because I get to help teachers from around the world transform their thinking about teaching writing. Join us! It's a remarkable experience in community, sharing, and new learning! ~ Dennis O'Connor
Collaborative Writing Platform: Thumbscribes
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ThumbScribes is a platform for creating collaborative content. Co+Create haiku, poems, short stories, flash fiction, novellas, exquisite corpse and songs, real time or asynchronously with your computer, tablet, cell phone or even IM.- - By Dennis OConnor
Posted from Diigo. The rest of 6-Traits Resources group favorite links are here.
Twitter: One way to find your writing process
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A writing teacher's narrative about re-discovering a writer's process by slowly learning Twitter. This is a thoughtful account that may lure some who are hesitant about using twitter into giving it a try. (More than a try really, it takes some time for you too find your voice and your audience.)
Primary Sentence Fluency Whales Passing
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- Teaching Sentence Fluency Using Whales Passing by Eve Bunting
- Sentence Fluency: A Definition for Primary Students
The sentence fluency trait has two important dimensions: the grammar that makes a group of words a sentence and the way sentences sound.Indeed, this is the auditory trait, where we learn to read with our ears right along with our eyes.
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August 30, 2011
6-Traits Posters
Back to School Traits Posters
Posted from Diigo. The rest of 6-Traits Resources group favorite links are here. (Feel free to join us on Diigo!
- Posters and other useful downloadable content
- - By Dennis OConnor
- 6 + 1 traits is a great way to help focus your writing program, even if you are using another program as a primary tool. The following links will give you mini-posters, rubrics and activities for the general traits to help your students strengthen their writing in each area. For more specific lessons and templates, visit the links on the left.
- The Reading Writing Poster Pack by Steve Peha - Fun and well drawn posters for your classroom!
- - By Dennis OConnor
August 22, 2011
NWP - Connect Join the National Writing Projects Social Network
The National Writing Project has launched a social network that all writing and reading teachers should consider. At a time when writing and writing instruction is generally neglected it is important for all of us to find others who understand and share the vision of what a truly literate person can be.
NWP Connect: Don't go it alone! Join NWP Connect!
This is a new project for the NWP. You have a chance to be an 'early adopter' as you connect with other writing teachers from around the world.
I discovered this site today. I'm in the process of setting up my profile. 10 years of teaching online lets me know instantly how important the new NWP Community can be. I believe in the reality of online community and the support of virtual writing teachers. All it takes is a willingness to share and think.
See you online!
Dennis
NWP Connect: Don't go it alone! Join NWP Connect!
This is a new project for the NWP. You have a chance to be an 'early adopter' as you connect with other writing teachers from around the world.
I discovered this site today. I'm in the process of setting up my profile. 10 years of teaching online lets me know instantly how important the new NWP Community can be. I believe in the reality of online community and the support of virtual writing teachers. All it takes is a willingness to share and think.
See you online!
Dennis
August 21, 2011
6-Traits Bulletin Boards
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- Teachers have been introducing the trait language to students in a variety of ways. Here are some of my favorite 6-Traits introduction strategies. Thanks to all of you who have sent in new pictures! If you would like to email digital photos of how you have introduced the traits into your environment, we’ll post them on our website for all to see. Click on some of the photos below for a larger view of the bulletin board.
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July 26, 2011
Five Card Flickr
- "This quasi experimental web site is designed to foster visual thinking. It is based completely, or more loosely... copied, from the Five Card Nancy game devised by comics guru Scott McCloud and the nifty web version at 741.5 Comics.
However, rather than drawing from a hand of randomly chosen panels of the old Nancy comic, my version draws upon collections of photos specified by a tag in flickr. You are dealt five random photos for each draw, and your task is to select one each time to add to a selection of images, that taken together as a final set of 5 images- tell a story in pictures.
When you are done, you the option to add a title and explanation, then you can save the story so you can put a link in your resume or send to your Mom (she pay print it out and tape it to the fridge, or she may criticize your creativity, your mileage and mom may vary). Plus we offer the ability to tweet your story or use an embed code to add it to your own web site."
Five Card Story: A Nice Fall Day
a Five Card Flickr story created by magster400
flickr photo by katerha
flickr photo by krutscjo
flickr photo by krutscjo
flickr photo by katerha
flickr photo by krutscjo
One day, a couple was went on vacation. Their plane flew them to an area in Canada where it was pretty chilly. They saw a leaf that they thought was very beautiful. They continued walking around and touring the area. Everyone they talked to was very kind to them, but they were always saying things about an amazing castle that was rumored to have been home to a great king 569 years ago. No one had seen it since a ferocious animal had forced them to leave the area. Now, the couple had been sent to find it. They set off and traveled for many days. Just as they were about to give up hope, they found a garden with sculptures and fountains. Positive that this was the castle they drove back to their original destination through lots of snow to tell the waiting natives of their success. By the time they got back there were many more leaves on the ground. They told the people all about their adventure and were so tired that they immediatly hopped on a plane and headed home. This had been a vacation they could never forget!
Pic Lits : Playing with word choice
Inspired picture writing
Drag and drop words on to pictures
possible poetry, idea generation, word choice applications
Drag and drop words on to pictures
possible poetry, idea generation, word choice applications
July 21, 2011
Color Poems Word Choice & Fun!
| Hailstones and Halibut Bones & Color Poems by Karen Grunder | ||
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That old Hailstones and Halibut Bones book motivated me to develop a lesson for color poems! We brainstormed ideas for one color (red) as a class, sense by sense. The students would do it individually first on their own paper, then we would share and record all ideas on chart paper. The next day we picked the ideas for each sense we thought were the strongest, and worked on putting a poem together and making each image even more powerful. We balanced the amount of sense images (didn't want to overload on the visual). Hearing and feeling (emotion) were frequently the challenging ones for 10 year olds, but sometimes ended up being very effective parts of their poems when they later wrote their own. "Showing, not telling" was a big part of this lesson. Finally, the children got the chance to choose their own color, and brainstormed their own ideas. Lots of excitement! Yellow is.... the smile in my mom's eyes whenever she looks at me the first notes of the ice cream song - "Run! Find the truck!" huge fields of daffodils rippling like waves as each gust hits… These poems were little treasures. The majority of children in the class got their poems published in a poetry book through a contest I entered. (Not a thing I regularly do, but someone handed me the poetry contest sheet just as we were doing the activity). This is an easy and effective way to get children to play with words to paint pictures and evoke emotions. A lot of talk went into the most effective way of sequencing ideas. Mood, balance, dynamics, and the importance of leaving the reader with a strong, final image/thought also came up. Such fun! So much covered in one much enjoyed writing activity! This year I'd like to get them to take digital pictures or use the web, and create a collage of any images or emotions from their poems that could be caught with a camera. I would tell them this after they finished their poems, though. I wouldn't want their inspirations to be restricted by practicality. Karen Grunder (Summer 2008: Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits) Lesson Extension from Read Write Think:
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June 11, 2011
Facebook and 6-Traits Time to make the connection!
Find great writing contacts on Facebook!
I've just setup a page on Facebook. You'll find the 6-Traits Resources page here.
Please drop by and click LIKE? ~ Den
Corbett Harrison's Facebook Page
The National Writing Project Digital Writing Page
National Writing Project Digital IS
Be sure to check out the Digital IS webpage as well!
Vicki Spandel and Jeff Hicks on Facebook 6-Trait Gurus
Don't miss their new SixTraitsGurus Blog
National Writing Project - Help Keep It Alive!
NWP's web resources are spectacular. Join for NWP Interactive Free!
Please drop by and click LIKE? ~ Den
The National Writing Project Digital Writing Page
Be sure to check out the Digital IS webpage as well!
Vicki Spandel and Jeff Hicks on Facebook 6-Trait Gurus
Don't miss their new SixTraitsGurus Blog
NWP's web resources are spectacular. Join for NWP Interactive Free!
June 3, 2011
Word Mandalas & Pizza Memories
"Mandalas are forms of sacred geometry; ancient, and cross-cultural visual tools for initiation, spiritual development and enlightenment. While the word "mandala" originates from the Sanskrit and while we have come to associate this kind of form with India and the Buddhist tradition, every culture around the globe creates what they consider spiritually-informed symbols that could be seen as mandalas."
Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits (Online Graduate Class)
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Barry Lane's YouTube Channel!
Barry Lane!
YouTube - Explode a Moment with Barry Lane
This is a terrific mini lesson from Barry Lane. He shows (not tells) how to explode a moment into a full page of rich writing. The visuals in this video will catch any student's attention. I've called this technique the Magnified Moment. It's also tied to the idea of using imaginary binoculars to really see the details of an event. Fun to watch, this video is part of "Barry in a Box", a book and dvd Barry is selling on his website: www.discoverwriting.com
This is a terrific mini lesson from Barry Lane. He shows (not tells) how to explode a moment into a full page of rich writing. The visuals in this video will catch any student's attention. I've called this technique the Magnified Moment. It's also tied to the idea of using imaginary binoculars to really see the details of an event. Fun to watch, this video is part of "Barry in a Box", a book and dvd Barry is selling on his website: www.discoverwriting.com
A Horn for Louis, how Louis Armstrong found his passion. Great anecdotes about Armstrong, Marc Chagall, and Harry Houdini that lead to Kimmel's books. Children's author Eric Kimmel describes how to find your passion. More information about Eric's work at www.erickimmel.com.
May 28, 2011
Help Kids Write! Animated posters
Help Kids Write is a wonderful resource!
This site is from LaRae Kendrick, a veteran teacher and nationally know presenter on 6-Tratis. She's created some very clever posters to help kids remember the traits.
Each page features a character who embodies the trait. Included are essential ideas about each trait. This would make a great smart-board intro to each trait!
Here's a link to Ida Ideas! You can click through all of the traits from this page.
tags: "6-traits training 6-traits"
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)!
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Join this group!- This group receives special notice whenever a new writing across the curriculum lesson or resource is posted at WritingFix.
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Twitter for K-3? Think about it!
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- I have been itching to write this Teachers Guide to Twitter for a while now - hoping to encourage K-3 Teachers and others, to give Twitter a try. Many of our visitors have expressed that it is all too confusing - so - I will do my best to unravel the 'mystery' behind Twitter - it is worth it...so hang in there with me...
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Best websites: Working With English Language Learners
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- My “The Best…” lists for 2010 continue, and this latest one focuses on sites that ELL students would use directly.
You might also be interested in previous editions of this list:
The Best Websites For English Language Learner Students — 2009
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Grammar Lover? Three Books to consider.
- 4 minute podcast. As always, NPR is great.tags: grammar books 6-traits
What makes books about the decline of traditional grammar and usage so popular? Books like Lynne Truss' Eats, Shoots & Leaves lament the downfall of traditional punctuation standards and promise a return to good old days gone by. But there never was a golden age of language, because language itself is in a constant state of flux. Yet we still pride ourselves on speaking and writing "well" — even when the definition of "well" is a moving target.
- How can we think about grammatical "correctness" when grammar's rules are always evolving? These three books give some needed perspective to a lively — and heated — linguistic debate.
- The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language
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March 19, 2011
WritingFix Writing Traits for Primary Writers
Here is a link to WritingFix's Writing Traits: Traits for Primary Writers.
This is a Nevada Print Guide and Teacher Workshops sharing materials from Northern Nevada's teacher inservices and print guide.
There are many lessons and resources for Primary Writers on this page. I also want to direct your attention to: Six By Six: Traits Writing for Little Writers. This inexpensive book offers thirty-six writing lessons (six lessons for each of the six traits...six by six).
Also consider joining the Primary Teacher's Group on the Writing Lesson of the Month Ning. (There are 12,000+ Teachers on this network!)
In our online class, Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits, we quickly develop a community of practice dedicated to sharing ideas, resources and methods about the 6-Traits. By the end of the course teachers know how powerful a like minded community can be.
WritingFix and their online groups will help any teacher seeking to improve their writing instruction find a supportive online community.
Join and online community of writing teachers! It's free and who knows where it will lead? 8-)
March 17, 2011
J.Peterman: Word Choice & Voice
What a great way to teach word choice and voice! From the online catalog:
The Victoria Falls Jacket
http://www.jpeterman.com/Mens-Jackets-Vests/Victoria-Falls-Jacket
It has the look of a true jacket. Substantial and trim, not flimsy and baggy. You could navigate down the Zambezi and then proceed directly to high tea on Stanley's Terrace without raising any eyebrows.
Victoria Falls Jacket (No. 1636). Four buttoning, flapped pockets outside, three inside. Crisp notched collar with chin strap. Airy mesh half-lining. Pointed yoke, deep inverted pleats, and stitched-down Norfolk-style waist in back.
Carry on, gentlemen.
Men's even sizes: 38 through 48.
Color: Tobacco.
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More:
J.Peterman Writing Idea. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9tvATHGya0
Uploaded to YouTube by Barry Lane.
This is a brief Interview with Dena and Corbett Harrison (the write couple). Corbett is the Webmaster and writer behind the great 6-Traits oriented WritingFix website http://www.writingfix.com/. Dena discusses how sharing the J.Peterman catalog with her students generated some great writing.
Great Voice and Word Choice Example:
For a prime example the J.Peterman overblown speaking style: http://tinyurl.com/62b2v5j
Seinfeld - Peterman Background
Larry David, Seinfeld and J. Peterman (The real J.Peterman.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9tvATHGya0
This topic was suggested during a discussion on Word Choice in my Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits online class.
I had some fun running down these resources. I'm not sure how they might play for the current generation of kids in the seats who may not be Seinfeld fans. Not many will know who J.Peterman is. That's why I tried so hard to find the right video example of word choice and voice!
Let me know what you think?
~ Dennis (In exotic Valley Center)
Larry David, Seinfeld and J. Peterman (The read J.Peterman.)
March 8, 2011
Organization: Ruth Culham
A poem about Organization from the 6 + 1 traits of writing: the complete guide By Ruth Culham
Organization
Ideas with focus and details galore. . .
In your head, on paper, on the computer, and more.
Time to think about order, how to get it down right,
There are so many options, you can get writer’s fright.
The ideas need purpose, direction and shaping,
Decisions on how will be all to your making.
Reason and logic, compare and contrast,
Detailed analysis or present to past,
Information you’ve given in just the right doses,
Events proceed logically – no hocus pocus.
Organization is the name of this trait,
From beginning to end and a middle, top-rate.
Transitions, pacing, sequencing, too,
There’s plenty to think out, lots of writing to do.
Five-paragraph themes may seem ever so neat,
But as a way to organize, they’re hardly complete.
Formula writing is nothing so hot,
Try writing with insight, freshness, and thought.
If you think that it’s easy, we’ll just see about that,
Getting it right is like herding cats.
The ideas are out there-now grab them and shake,
Good organization takes skill and imagination to make.
Organization
Ideas with focus and details galore. . .
In your head, on paper, on the computer, and more.
Time to think about order, how to get it down right,
There are so many options, you can get writer’s fright.
The ideas need purpose, direction and shaping,
Decisions on how will be all to your making.
Reason and logic, compare and contrast,
Detailed analysis or present to past,
Information you’ve given in just the right doses,
Events proceed logically – no hocus pocus.
Organization is the name of this trait,
From beginning to end and a middle, top-rate.
Transitions, pacing, sequencing, too,
There’s plenty to think out, lots of writing to do.
Five-paragraph themes may seem ever so neat,
But as a way to organize, they’re hardly complete.
Formula writing is nothing so hot,
Try writing with insight, freshness, and thought.
If you think that it’s easy, we’ll just see about that,
Getting it right is like herding cats.
The ideas are out there-now grab them and shake,
Good organization takes skill and imagination to make.
February 21, 2011
Voice and Research Writing
There is an expected research paper voice and while the mode is driven by organization, voice still plays a part in this form of writing.
I'd describe the desired voice in this mode as; authoritative. Other descriptors would be strong, confident, and understanding. Lovitts 2007 p 36
It comes down to understanding the audience for the writing. There is a very clear and defined audience for research papers: other professionals or academics. Knowing the audience helps a student writer determine the voice (once they have the concept of voice in place).
You can help your students understand voice as a concept, and your expectations for a 'research voice' by using contrasting examples. (Here's where a search for appropriate mentor texts will help.)
For instance, you could provide strong and week thesis statements.
Also find or create contrasting examples. Demonstrate overly casual, or insecure voice, and contrast it with confident (fact supported) academic voice.
On one hand, you have an example of clear well supported, and authoritative writing.
Contrast this with excessively elaborate, vague and uncertain writing.
Examples of students attempting to hide a lack of understanding and content with elaborate long winded and confusing sentences could go a long way toward helping define the concept of ' research voice '
This reinforces the need to tune the writing to the audience.
You could also contrast the research piece with an expository piece to show differences in voice based on mode of writing.
While the voice of a research report is more constrained, it's there. By helping your students learn to recognize voice you clarify the intent of the writing and help build the concept.
Dennis/San Diego
reference:
Lovitts, B. E. 2007 Making the implicit explicit: creating performance expectations for the dissertation. Virginia, Stylus Publishing
I'd describe the desired voice in this mode as; authoritative. Other descriptors would be strong, confident, and understanding. Lovitts 2007 p 36
It comes down to understanding the audience for the writing. There is a very clear and defined audience for research papers: other professionals or academics. Knowing the audience helps a student writer determine the voice (once they have the concept of voice in place).
You can help your students understand voice as a concept, and your expectations for a 'research voice' by using contrasting examples. (Here's where a search for appropriate mentor texts will help.)
For instance, you could provide strong and week thesis statements.
Also find or create contrasting examples. Demonstrate overly casual, or insecure voice, and contrast it with confident (fact supported) academic voice.
On one hand, you have an example of clear well supported, and authoritative writing.
Contrast this with excessively elaborate, vague and uncertain writing.
Examples of students attempting to hide a lack of understanding and content with elaborate long winded and confusing sentences could go a long way toward helping define the concept of ' research voice '
This reinforces the need to tune the writing to the audience.
You could also contrast the research piece with an expository piece to show differences in voice based on mode of writing.
While the voice of a research report is more constrained, it's there. By helping your students learn to recognize voice you clarify the intent of the writing and help build the concept.
Dennis/San Diego
reference:
Lovitts, B. E. 2007 Making the implicit explicit: creating performance expectations for the dissertation. Virginia, Stylus Publishing
February 17, 2011
Teaching Traits in the Second Grade by Cathy Rencavage
"I think kids know when something is off in a story." Children are very savvy even at the earliest of ages.
This reminds me of a humorous story involving my second grade students a few years back. After being immersed in craft/trait instruction and investigating the qualities of effective writing, I introduced the students to our new Social Studies Program titled Social Studies Alive. It wasn't long into the first chapter when one little boy raised his hand and stated, "This author does NOT know how to write!"
Another raised her hand and stated, "I agree, this book should be called Social Studies Dead because there is no voice behind the writing whatsoever!"
Little by little, before I knew it, chaos erupted in my classroom. Hands were shooting up here and there as students angrily shouted out..."There are no sensory details, not one!"
"Talk about redundancy, the rivers this and the rivers that..." Etc..., Etc... Etc... LOL.
As happy as I was that the students realized quality writing when they saw it, (Believe me, my heart was singing a very happy song!) I also realized that we were married to this text for the second half of the semester. Every time I asked the students to pull the book out of their desk I was met with moans and groans and chants about Social Studies Dead!
The moral of this long thread is... students know when something is off in a story. When students are immersed in trait instruction, they gradually begin to read through the lens of a writer and emulate the craft of authentic authors.
Cathy_Pennsylvania
Another raised her hand and stated, "I agree, this book should be called Social Studies Dead because there is no voice behind the writing whatsoever!"
Little by little, before I knew it, chaos erupted in my classroom. Hands were shooting up here and there as students angrily shouted out..."There are no sensory details, not one!"
"Talk about redundancy, the rivers this and the rivers that..." Etc..., Etc... Etc... LOL.
As happy as I was that the students realized quality writing when they saw it, (Believe me, my heart was singing a very happy song!) I also realized that we were married to this text for the second half of the semester. Every time I asked the students to pull the book out of their desk I was met with moans and groans and chants about Social Studies Dead!
The moral of this long thread is... students know when something is off in a story. When students are immersed in trait instruction, they gradually begin to read through the lens of a writer and emulate the craft of authentic authors.
Cathy_Pennsylvania
February 16, 2011
Voice & Point of View
This slam dunk classroom activity was shared by Tiffany, a first year teacher with a vision for writing with the traits...
This last year was my first year of teaching and therefore the first year I taught the 6 Traits of Writing (and really learned them myself for that matter!) Here is an activity that I did in my classroom:
This last year was my first year of teaching and therefore the first year I taught the 6 Traits of Writing (and really learned them myself for that matter!) Here is an activity that I did in my classroom:
I gave each student in the room a photograph with a prompt on the back, they didn't know it at the time but someone else in the room had the same photograph with a very different prompt on back.
For example, two students would have a picture of an ice cream sundae. One prompt would say, "Write about this sundae as if you haven't eaten anything in a week", oppositely the other prompt would say, "Write about this sundae as if you are on a very strict diet." Two students would have a picture of a person about to jump out of an airplane with the ground visible far below - One prompt would say, "Write as if you are this person and you love thrill seeking and adventures," the other, "Write as if you are this person and you are deathly afraid of heights." I told the students to answer the prompt based on the photo and that they would eventually share their writing with a peer.
After everyone was done writing I explained that there was another person who had the same photo and the two partners met and shared their writings - obviously very different!
We then talked about how different writers have different voices based on their experiences, background, what they are writing, etc. To be honest, I'm not sure if this was a proper activity to convey the topic of voice or not, but the students seemed to understand the concept - they liked the activity and sharing the very different writings that could come from the same picture. Any thoughts or modifications? I'm open for further ideas too! :0)
Tiffany @ Mosinee
February 15, 2011
eMints: Great 6-Trait Resources
With this in mind, I was delighted to find the following 6-traits materials on the eMINTS site.
Writing: 6 + 1 Writing Traits eThemes eMINTS Home page for eMINTS 6-Traits materials
eMINTS page on personal narrative.
These sites explain the different types of text structures that are used in expository writing. The text structures include chronological sequence, comparison/contrast, description, problem/solution, and cause and effect. (tags: writing 6-traits)Grammar: Interactive Writing Activities eThemes eMINTS
These sites feature interactive grammar and writing sites that are fun to use with SMARTboards. The online games and quizzes cover topics such as nouns, verbs, sentences, proofreading, capitalization, punctuation, plurals, and more. (del.ious.us tags: writing 6-traits)
January 17, 2011
Cure the Pre-Writing Jitters
"I just don't know what to write about." There was a quiet desperation in my student's eyes as we sat over a blank sheet of paper. While my student can't think of what to write, I can't think of where to even start counting the number of times I have been in this very situation with students before. To help combat what I often refer to as blank-page-syndrome, I pulled out my ice-cream bucket filled with old and horribly abused crayons I have collected over the years. With this simple action, student's demeanor shifted to slight confusion.
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