Six Traits Websites
Searching for useful websites can be a daunting task at times, but here we’ve done all the work for you! Check out each of the websites and their brief descriptions below to see if it is the right website for your needs. Of course, there are many more websites out there on the Internet, but here are some that we recommend.
http://www.cyberspaces.net/6traits/
This website promotes itself as being “a site for teachers using the 6-Traits in the classroom” and it is just that. There is information on mini-lessons, books, rubrics, teaching strategies, and much more. The information tends to be more suited for elementary teachers, but much of it could be adapted to fit your needs.
http://senior.billings.k12.mt.us/6traits/
High school teachers—this is your lucky day! This site is interactive, and you can sign up yourself and your class for free. (Yes, it is free!) This site has examples for each trait, rubrics, and student writing samples.
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=443
The Oregon Department of Education has sample tests on their websites for teachers to use in the classroom. The test formats look very similar to our WKCE tests, so it is just another way to practice these with our students.
http://www.openc.k12.or.us/scoring/
Another neat tool that the Oregon Department of Education offers is a sample scoring guide that is used on the state tests. The rubric used by scorers is based on the 6-Traits model, and this site allows you to access it and use it in your own classroom to practice.
http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/menu.html
This site has some lesson ideas and information on the 6-Traits. Outside of the 6-Traits, the website also has some great classroom information (discipline, bulletin board ideas, units, etc.) and links.
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/6traits.html
Many links to other 6-Traits sites are compiled here, so it is a great starting point.
This site is easy to navigate and provides writing lesson plans and 6-Trait lesson plans. There is also a focus on the writing process. This site also has interactive writing prompts and daily writing prompts.
www.ginnyhoover.com/sixtraits.htm
This site is a resource site that has many links to different websites that deal with Trait writing and technical writing. MLA and APA links are also provided.
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/langarts/sixtrtcrsmtrl.htm
This site provides basic information about the Traits and also has some sample rubrics. It is presented by MMSD. Most recourses are downloadable.
http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/pdfRubrics/6plus1traits.PDF
RUBRIC--broken down by trait; points = 5, 3, 1; assesses a range of performance across a wide variety of ages (geared more towards upper levels)
http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/pdfGeneral/BWC.pdf
RUBRIC--Beginning writers continuum; geared for younger students; I would use this even with middle schoolers—they would understand more so than the rubric. Points = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; points coincide with the following headings: experimenting, emerging, developing, capable, experienced.
http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/scoringpractice.php?odelay=0&d=9
WRITING SAMPLES--Numerous samples to practice scoring for each individual trait. You enter in your score and comments and NWREL’s score and reasoning will appear.
http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/lessonplans.php?odelay=0&d=1
LESSON PLANS--Numerous lesson plans for all ages; separated by traits; some lessons need a specific book to use as part of the lesson
http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/prompts.php?odelay=2&d=1&prompt=1
PROMPTS--Numerous lists of writing prompts; broken down into narrative, expository, and persuasive; also gives tips on utilizing prompts in your classroom
LESSON PLANS--Various lesson plans for writing (and other subjects); also, chatroom discussions on the 6 Traits—but you will need to read through the actual discussions to find the lessons.
03/18/2008 jar