CURRICULUM PLAN
For TARGETED Professional Learning (face-to-face, online, or blended)
Title: Teaching and Assessment With the 6+1 Traits of Writing
Number of Credits Requested (15 instructional hours are required for 1 credit): 1
Instructor of Record (person who will sign the grade sheet): Leslee Thorpe
*New Instructors: Please upload resume’ in Credit Approval Request form.
Additional PRESENTER/FACILTATOR INFO: (copy this & add each presenters/facilitator HERE, OR,
attach as a separate document for a Multiple-speaker event, such as a conference or institute)
Name: NA
Current Position/Title:
Place of Work:
Highest Degree and Field of Study:
1. Description
Please provide a detailed description to include purpose of the learning event, instructional strategies
used to engage educators in the learning, and any other information which will explain what content is
being covered during this event. This helps clarify the scope and depth of the learning event.
This learning event will focus on using strategies suitable for most levels and disciplines to teach the
6+1 analytical writing traits. It will include writing strategies designed for levels K-12. The six traits of
writing will be introduced and methods for teaching and assessing each trait will be discussed. Each
of the traits will be modeled using a variety of lesson plans. During the trainings, teachers will be
asked to participate through reading and writing activities.
2. Learning Objectives/Targets
Please provide 2-3 learning objectives which you will use as targets for participant learning. It’s helpful
to finish the sentence, “Participants will …” (Utilize action verbs, such as, ASSESS, DEFINE, ANALYZE,
etc.)
Teachers will
• Understand the background of and rationale for the development of the six plus one writing traits.
• Use strategies to develop ideas, word choice, organization, sentence fluency, voice, and
conventions in writing. Use a variety of ways of presentation of writing.
• Assess writing based on an analytical trait scoring rubric.
• Design and share a lesson plan demonstrating an understanding of using strategies and the six
analytical traits as a way to teach writing.
3. Agenda/Learning Event Outline
Day 1, DATE: February 19
Start Time
& end time
of Session
AM
Session:
8:00 a.m. –
12:00 p.m.
TOPICS (or Session Title) & Description
• Introduction of Writing Traits
• History of the development of the traits
• Effective criteria for teaching the 6+1 Writing Traits
• Importance of modeling in teaching writing
• Features of the Ideas writing trait
Teaching strategies to develop ideas in writing
(Including classroom observer activities, using
pictures/items/objects for describing details, story
starter ideas, sensory details activities, brainstorming,
interviews…) Class participation/small groups
12:00 p.m.- • Working lunch (11:30 – 12:00) Assignment: Make
12:30 p.m.
“Top Ten Lists” about people or topics/share at tables
PM
• Features of the Organization writing trait
Session:
* Teaching strategies to develop organization in
12:30 p.m.writing (Including a variety of graphic organizer
4:00 p.m.
activities, thinking maps, smooth transitions, patterns
in trade books, sequencing strategies, group poster
writing…)
* Good organization showcases the ideas
• Features of the Voice writing trait
* Teaching strategies to develop voice in writing
(Including comparison of voice in stories/text, voice
games, voice in notes and letters, rewriting stories in
another voice, writer’s talks, circle maps/responses of
feelings upon hearing voice in text, writing from
another point of view, comparing lead-in’s of novels
with strong voice, Writing about clichés…
• Assessing writing using the analytical scoring rubric
• Explanation of lesson plan assignment
• Summarize, share, questions, preview for next class
PRESESNTERS
Number of
Instruction
al HOURS
Leslee Thorpe
M.S. ED (ELEM)
4.5 hours
Leslee Thorpe
3.5 hours
PRESESNTER(S)
Number of
Instruction
al HOURS
Day 2, DATE: March 5
Start Time TOPICS (or Session Title) & Description
& end time
of Session
• Review 6+1 writing traits
• Features of the Word Choice writing trait
* Tiers of words (Bringing Words to Life)
* Resources/references/tech tools for word choices
* Teaching strategies to develop word choice in
writing (Including creating visuals with writing,
poetry, word wheels, flip flop words, advertising,
sensory words, word plays, comparing texts for word
choice, coaching checklists for peer buddy writers or
teachers, lists of favorite or tired words, portable word
walls…)
• Features of the Sentence Fluency writing trait
* Teaching strategies to develop sentence fluency in
writing ( Including comparing samples of texts,
chorale reading, reader’s theater for the flow of the
words, scrambled sentences, round about stories,
strategis for varying sentence length, reading a variety
of texts aloud to students and discussing, partners
reading their writing to others…)
12:00 p.m.- Working Lunch – Discussion on editing/sharing
12:30 p.m.
AM
Session:
8:00 a.m. –
12:00 p.m.
PM
• Features of the Conventions writing trait
Session:
* Teaching skills that are developmentally appropriate
12:30 p.m.* Tips for teachers
3:00 p.m.
* Editing vs. Revision
* Teaching strategies to develop conventions in
writing (Including using literature excerpts, sticky
notes, highlighting, buddy revising/editing activities,
you be the editor, checking charts, comic strips,
dialogue activities, other resources…)
• R.A.F.T.S.
• Role of teachers/peers as coaches
• Use of questioning strategies with the writing traits
• Classroom management of writing
• Summary/sharing of lesson plans/reflections
Leslee Thorpe
4.5 hours
2.5 hours
If required instructional hours (15 for 1 credit; 30 for 2 credits, etc.) aren’t met during sessions listed
above, please identify the hours remaining, and explain what participants will be required to do to
complete them.
NA
Total Hours (excluding mealtimes): 15
4. Resources/Materials
What resources/materials will be used (books, articles, videos, etc.)? Provide titles of materials and
authors
Suggested Reading:
6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide – Ruth Culhane
Creating Writers Through 6 Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction – Vicki Spandel
Picture Books: an Annotated Bibliography for Teaching Writing – Ruth Culhane and Vicki Spandel
Craft Lessons, Teaching Writing K-8 – Ralph Fletcher and Joann Poralupi
5. Evaluation Plan
Required Criteria to Receive Credit
Attendance & Participation: Participants must be actively involved in all instructional hours
provided.
Receiving credit is dependent upon quality evidence completed by participants that appropriately
reflects the amount of instructional hours this event provides. Please explain how or what the
participants will do to provide evidence of the following required assessments of learning.
Reflections on New Learning:
 Group sharing through discussions and a personal writer’s notebook for the class activities
and reflections about the writing traits
Application of New Learning:
 Design and present a lesson plan demonstrating an understanding of teaching strategies
using the 6+1 writing traits as a way to teach writing.
Submission Deadline Date of Assignments (if applicable): March 5
6. Grading Rubric- NA
Special Thanks to Leslee Thorpe for granting permission to use this document as an
“Example” for other submitters!