Creating Writers: 6 Traits, Process, Workshop, and Literature

Creating Writers: 6 Traits, Process, Workshop, and Literature  truly puts the six traits of writing in context, showing how they are best taught—within writing workshop and as a way of enriching writing process. Written by the pioneer of 6-trait writing, this edition organises all materials by trait, features new one-page writing guides, and offers an increased emphasis on literature, connecting writing to reading as never before. It also provides a clear link between the six traits and the Common Core Standards for Writing and presents new lessons, engaging classroom activities, suggestions for using technology, and an expanded collection of student writing sure to promote lively discussions.

• Chapter 1:     Getting Acquainted with the Six Traits    
• Chapter 2:     Setting the Stage with Writing Process and Writing Workshop
• Chapter 3:     Making Meaning with IDEAS
• Chapter 4:     Showcasing the Message with ORGANIZATION
• Chapter 5:     Making the Heart Beat with VOICE         
• Chapter 6:     Enhancing Meaning and Voice with WORD CHOICE
• Chapter 7:     Enhancing Meaning and Voice with SENTENCE FLUENCY
• Chapter 8:     Preparing to Publish with CONVENTIONS & PRESENTATION
• Chapter 9:     Going INFORMATIONAL
• Chapter 10:   Exploring the World of BEGINNING WRITERS
• Chapter 11:   COMMUNICATING about Students’ Writing
• Chapter 12:   ASSESSING Our Students Well
• Appendices   
• Appendix 1 Brief History of the Traits
• Appendix 2 Teacher Three-Level Writing Guide (Adaptable to 5- or 6-Point)     
• Appendix 3 Student Three-Level Writing Guide (Adaptable to 5- or 6-Point)      
• Appendix 4 Student “Leap the River” Writing Guide in Spanish   
• Appendix 5 Student Checklist in Spanish
• Appendix 6 Requirements by Genre: Common Core Standards for Writing

Vicki Spandel has worked as a language arts teacher, editor, journalist, technical writer, and award winning video producer. Since her work developing the original, internationally recognized 6-Trait Model for writing assessment and instruction, she has served as scoring director for more than 75 state, county, and district writing assessments. Vicki is a frequent visitor in writing classrooms, providing coaching on writing, revision, and editing.  Her books include Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing and Creating Young Writers (Allyn & Bacon); The 9 Rights of Every Writer (Heinemann); and The Write Traits series (Great Source Education Group).

The text itself is well-written, and in my opinion Spandel does not waste words.  As I read through the book, I found myself hanging on to her every word. 

-  Jane Feber, Retired Language Arts Teacher, Jacksonville, FL

Spandel’s style is full of voice and verve.  Her style is always clear and engaging.  Her organization is superb, leading us through the 6 traits in a logical and thought-provoking fashion. She speaks directly to teachers with expertise we find believable.  She gives us confidence to improve our craft.

This book is frequently helpful to me as a classroom teacher. Writing lessons in our classrooms look different every year, every day. Our lessons depend on the needs of our individual students.  I am always looking to CW for new ways to help my kiddos become joyful writers. I so appreciate Spandel’s warm and inviting style–she speaks to me.

- Judy Mazur, 5^th Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Elementary School, Walnut Creek, CA

Spandel provides more than just theory or just strategies; rather, she combines both theory and practice within a flexible framework that my candidates can use to approach writing instruction in a structured – but not prescribed – manner.  Spandel’s approach helps my students see ways to synthesize literature, reading, and writing instruction in a meaningful fashion.

- Kristina J. Doubet, Professor, Department of Middle and Secondary Education, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA