What is 6 Traits Writing?
This is a writing program that helps students to become better writers by giving them a framework of six traits of good writing. You will see those traits explained on the posters below. Sometimes it's referred to as: 6+1 Writing because the +1 trait is presentation. Presentation in itself is not one of the 6 traits, but is how you prepare , present, or share your writing. Along the way, many books are read to the students to show them how authors use each of the traits in their writing.
Mini Lessons
Mini-lessons focus on learning a specific trait of writing several times as week. Each mini-lesson lasts about 15 minutes. Students use what they have learned in the mini-lessons to write every day.
Author's Chair
This is when we share our stories with an audience. Most of the time, the audience is our classmates. After sharing, students give the author stars and wishes. Stars are compliments about their stories such as: " I loved your opening sentence! It really drew me into your story!" Wishes are things that you wish the author had done in their story such as: "I wish you would have described the setting some more. I was confused." Stars and wishes are from the teacher at the first of the year and then from classroom friends later. The stars and wishes are very helpful to young authors as they learn what information readers and authors need to enjoy their stories.