Midwest Traits of Writing
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Day 1: Starting up the Traits
The first day provides the knowledge and tools teachers need to begin using the trait language with students immediately.
Training topics
• Identify the 6 Traits within your individual state writing standards and the national Common Core State Standards.
• Recognize the traits within a variety of student examples, written in different genres, and at different grade levels.
• Learn ways to initially introduce the trait language to students, including what to say about each trait, what order to introduce the traits, and how long to spend on each trait.
• Learn Kristina's favorite trait-based mini-lesson ideas for teaching various writing skills.
When you leave Day 1, you will be able to:
- Initiate a 6-12 day intentional 6-Traits introduction to students.
- Pair each trait with a concrete trigger or icon that could be used consistently in all classrooms K-12.
- Better articulate to your students what “good writing” looks like and sounds like.
- Deliver more dynamic and effective mini-lessons that teach students HOW to write and not just WHAT to write.
Day 2: Teaching the Traits all Year
Training topics
• Learn how to spiral through the traits after introducing them to students, deepening students' understanding as the year progresses.
• Thread the 6 Traits throughout all writing stages, units, and genres during the year.
• Discuss ways to address conventions and grammar lessons.
• Learn methods of bringing the 6 Traits into read alouds.
• How to put the 6 Traits at the center of the writing time.
When you leave Day 2, you will be able to:
- Utilize the 6 Traits to drive your writer’s workshop mini-lessons.
- Improve the effectiveness of writer conferences and student revision.
- Plan writing units that embed the traits within various writing genres.
- Organize your writing resources for effective teaching.
- Manage the “needy" spellers, the “I’m done” writers, the "I like it" peer conferences, and so many other problem areas.
Day 3: Assessing the Traits
After teaching key skills, the next step is to assess whether students are transferring those skills into their own writing.
Training topics
• Realize the advantages of rubrics for honoring what students did well and pointing out what students need to improve.
• Learn how easily rubrics can be incorporated in the writing classroom for both the teacher's use and the students'.
• Recognize the 6 Traits expectations within your individual state writing rubrics and national writing assessment rubrics.
• Learn how to introduce rubrics, score with rubrics, and convert those scores into grades.
• Utilize regular classroom assessments to drive future mini-lesson instruction.
When you leave Day 3, you will be able to:
- Introduce relevant vocabulary to students, including rubric, levels, criteria, score, etc.
- Build a rubric with students of any age within an interactive 15-minute mini-lesson.
- Learn ways to tweak any rubric to meet the needs of a particular writing assignment.
- Adjust and grow rubric criteria to hold students accountable for newly learned skills.
- Employ strategies for grading writing assignments more efficiently, including how to convert writing rubric scores into letter grades, points, or percentages.
Call Smekens Education toll free to learn more.
888-376-0448
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For Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio teachers attending the Institute, state credit will be awarded for time spent in professional learning. For each day of the Institute, Indiana teachers can earn six PGP points, Illinois teachers can earn six CPDU’s, and Ohio teachers can earn six CEUs.
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For an additional fee, participants are eligible to earn up to three hours of graduate credit from Purdue University-Calumet for attending the Traits of Writing Institute. Participants who take advantage of the college credit will complete an independent project that can be applied in the classroom. Visit our website to learn more about the course syllabi, assignment description, and cost.
2011 Dates & Locations
October 4-6, 2011
Indianapolis, IN
(Fishers Conference Center)
October 11-13, 2011
Chicago, IL
(Holiday Inn, Countryside)
October 17-19, 2011
Columbus, OH
(Courtyard by Marriott West)
November 9-11, 2011
Cincinnati, OH
(Holiday Inn, Sharonville)
K-6 Classroom Teachers
6-12 Language Arts Teachers
Literacy Coaches Literacy Coordinators
Title I Teachers / Directors
K-12 Gifted & Talented Teachers
K-12 Principals & Assistant Principals
Early Bird Registration:
(Registrations received more than 15 days in advance of Institute)
Attend 1 Day: $175
Attend 2 Days: $350
Attend 3 Days: $510 (Combo package)
Standard Registration:
(Registrations recieved within 15 days of Institute)
Attend 1 Day: $190
Attend 2 Days: $380
Attend 3 Days: $550 (Combo package)
Institute Lodging
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and lodging.
INDIANAPOLIS
Hilton Garden Inn,Fishers, IN
(Adjacent to Institute location)
9785 North by Northeast Blvd
Fishers, IN 46037
(317) 577-5900
CHICAGO, IL
Holiday Inn, Countryside, IL
(Institute location)
6201 W. Joliet Rd.
Countryside, IL 60525
(708) 354-4200
COLUMBUS, OH
Courtyard by Marriott
(Institute location)
2350 Westbelt Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43228
(614) 292-5460
CINCINNATI, OH
Holiday Inn, Sharonville
(Institute location)
3855 Hauck Road
Cincinnati, OH 45241
(513) 563-8330
"100% valuable! 100% motivating!"D. Carlson
"Multitude of useable ideas!"S. Armstead
