Received: from [209.75.187.203] (HELO ) by MDCCLXXVI.com (Stalker SMTP Server 1.8b6) with SMTP id S.0000353275 for <6Tarchive@CyberSpaces.net>; Sat, 09 Oct 1999 23:10:02 -0700 Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 23:10:01 -0700 Subject: 6Traits Digest #87 - 10/09/99 From: "SixTraitsMailring" <6Traits@> To: "SixTraitsMailring" <6Traits@> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable Sender: <6Traits@> Precedence: Bulk List-Software: LetterRip Pro 3.0.7b1 by Fog City Software, Inc. List-Subscribe: List-Digest: List-Unsubscribe: Message-Id: 6Traits Digest #87 - Saturday, October 9, 1999 Re: 6Traits- teaching the rubrics by Teaching order for traits by "Susan Nixon" <susan@desertskyone.com> Re: Columbus Day and other wierd holidays by ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- teaching the rubrics From: Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 03:14:43 EDT Thanks Susan, I have something like that. I like the checklist and poster idea. We = had someone in our local BOCES give us a primary looking rubric, but it was = not too detailed. The cutsie part seemed over the top, but it also seemed too = much to "score" them with 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Didn't think they'd get it. I = came from fourth grade to first and it was a bit tough sometimes for 4th grade = to get. Thanks for the great suggestions. I will try that. I've always done Voice much later than the others. I love Voice, but = always felt like kids had to feel comfortable in writing everyday with me (many = of them coming from rooms where they wrote infrequently or only once or twice = a week). I want them to write, hear what their writing sounds like before talking about Voice. Do you ever go in a specific order to introduce traits?? I've tried different things, not found any real magic way. Just = curious if you had. Thanks. I'm off to check out the website. Wendy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Teaching order for traits From: "Susan Nixon" <susan@desertskyone.com> Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 09:14:14 -0700 >I've always done Voice much later than the others. I love Voice, but = always >felt like kids had to feel comfortable in writing everyday with me (many = of >them coming from rooms where they wrote infrequently or only once or = twice a >week). That's a good thought. Our trainers told us it didn't make any difference about the order, and I taught voice first, because it's my favorite, too. We discussed how one would hear a friend's voice and the playground calling, and one wouldn't have to turn around to see who it was. One = would just know the sound of the voice. Whenever we write, I remind them of their audience and the fact that the readers need to hear their voice without seeing them. So far, it seems to have worked. I don't see any problem with teaching it later, either, and it's possible it might be easier for them, for the very reasons you state. It may = depend on how much background your students have with writing and with the = traits. This is the first year our district has used them, and our state. It may be that when they have had them in kindergarten and first grade, and are already familiar with them, order really won't matter. >I want them to write, hear what their writing sounds like before >talking about Voice. One suggestion we had on the list this summer was to have our students speak into a tape recorder on a particular topic. Then have them write = out (or have someone transcribe the tape) what they have said. We thought = this might help them get more voice into their writing - as well as more content! =3D) Additionally, before I ever ask my students to *write* with voice, we *read* lots of voice-filled books, poems, cartoons and articles. Another reasons I'm adding the book lists to the web site. There is a book put = out by NWREL, I believe just titled _Picture Books_ , which lists books for each trait. It can be ordered on their site, which is linked at the top = of our site. I have tried not to duplicate their efforts, but not to the point of checking each title to see that it isn't on their list. BTW, you can now also link to Kim's Korner from the top of our site. It's another 6 Traits site which is oriented more to the older student, and Kim also sells items which may make your teaching of the traits easier. I = must say I thought her prices for teachers' aids to be extremely reasonable. >Do you ever go in a specific order to introduce >traits?? I've tried different things, not found any real magic way. = Just >curious if you had. I don't think there is a magic way, or one right way. It would depend entirely on the class. I have a class this year which is somewhat = allergic to writing. Two years ago, I had a class of wonderful poets and last year's class loved writing prose. It's was somewhat of a stopper to find = a class that isn't crazy about the concept! However, they are coming = around. I think the problem was lack of experience and lack of knowledge. 6 Traits should help a lot! Please bear in mind that these are my opinions, formed with my training = and my limited experience with 6Traits, but also with 21 years of teaching writing to students. I am not the last word on anything! I hope you all keep striving to find what works for you and for your students, and *share your experiences* here, please. Thanks to Barbara who did just that last night. I loved reading her poem and I have that book. I can't understand why I never noticed that particular poem before! =3D) Probably because I have *at least* one too many poetry books (is such a thing possible????) and can't share = everything I want to with my students. I'd be reading to and with them all day! Susan Nixon 2nd Grade Phoenix, AZ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Columbus Day and other wierd holidays From: Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 14:14:46 EDT Frederick County in western Maryland is not off for Columbus day, but = we're off for Fair Dayin late September. (the children's day at the county = fair. ) Our county is a relic of the past being both a = bursting-at-the-seams-suburban commuity of Washington, DC, and a strongly agricultural county. Thirteen years ago when I came here and taught in a then rural school, 50 % of the kids displayed 4-H activities at the fair. It was integral to their = lives. I didn't "get it" until I first attended the fair in the past 3 years!! = Today, the participation is not as universal, but we have many "fair" related-integrated school activities to continue their awareness of = Frederick as an agricultural and economically growing community. Can't see why not, though there are those who argue against it every year. Celebrate the = past!! Integrate it into your future. Ann, Frederick Md ---------------------------------------------------------------------- End of 6Traits Digest -- To unsubscribe, send any message at all to: 6Traits-off@. Archive of past digests is at: