Daily 6-Trait Writing Grade 6

As a student, I was naturally good at language arts. I just seemed to KNOW what I needed to know, and writing came naturally. Not all children, however, have this skill, and I've found its even harder to teach a subject you are naturally good at than it is one that you struggled with yourself! The Daily 6-Trait Writing series is perfect because it turns something abstract, like writing, into almost a science. Its step by step, methodical, and really isn't so intimidating. I am very pleased with the series and wouldn't change a thing.

Daily Six-Trait Writing focuses on 6 writing traits:
Ideas
Organization
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Voice
Conventions (grammar, spelling and mechanics)
These are characteristics that are said to shape quality writing. The books are divided into 5 units, one for each of the first 5 traits. Each week the concepts build on the previous one and a new convention (the 6th trait) is presented each week. It's neat that the convention is taught in the context of what they are writing.

Best of all, the lessons are easy enough to do (even for reluctant writers) and only take 10-15 minutes a day.

Regardless of whichever writing curriculum I decide to go with next year, Daily 6-Traits will make the transition much smoother!

Read the rest of this review at http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/2011/03/evan-moor-books-timberdoodle-review.html

Daily 6-Trait Writing, Grade 6 is a handy tool for making sure you have covered all the bases. If you are like us and composition has been a rather casual affair, then you may wonder if your students have really grasped all the important aspects of technical writing. While certainly not creative, this book emphasizes what students need to have learned by around Junior High. We have used this book for seventh grade as a review before starting Wordsmith.

This series has offered me a solution for boys that hate writing. It covers fundamental writing skills in a manner that has been manageable for my boys. Four days a week, there is a practice worksheet that requires relatively small amounts of writing. For the fifth day's assignment, the child is asked to bring together the work done earlier in the week. Much of the writing will have already been accomplished, and will simply need to be added to and polished a bit. This series is a good way to develop strong writing skills in the elementary/early middle school years. I expect to be able to smoothly transition into a more advanced writing program when the time comes.

As a literature major in college, and began researching the traits because our church day school uses trait based education in its K-12 day school. I use the traits at home and for classes I teach Middle School Students. This relatively new curriculum provides a framework helpful for every grade in elementary. I have recommended this curriculum for mom's who are intimidated by writing. They are thrilled to have found something that finally works. It's a great choice to encourage your student not only write regularly, but write well (don't forget to explain the rubric at the beginning!) Each lesson has fully expanded teacher notes, and includes a "Bubble" at the top to explain how the trait is used each day. The book covers each trait sequentially, while allowing children to practice writing in a variety of formats including expository writing, persuasive writing, descriptive writing and more. Highly recommended.