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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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September 12, 2011
Primary Sentence Fluency Whales Passing
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
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