Overview

From highly acclaimed author Vicki Spandel comes the most comprehensive exploration of six-trait writing from the inside out, in terms teachers and their students can understand. In response to primary teachers' requests for ways to use the six-trait approach to writing with K-3 students, this book is the result of years of analysing primary writing, watching primary writers at work, and talking with teachers and students to see just how the traits show themselves in the work of our youngest writers. Unlike other books on the six traits, this one shows teachers exactly how to teach traits in context, as an integral part of writing process and writing workshop. Together, these three elements-traits, process, and workshop-combine to place young writers on a path of unprecedented success. Designed to give practicing and new teachers a more in-depth understanding of the writing process and how it connects to the six traits, while encouraging them to write continuously with students and model their own personal writing process, the book is a goldmine of activities, strategies, and lesson ideas ideal for use in the K-3 classroom or as part of a study group.

Full Product Details

9780132685856

Table of Contents

Reviews

In Creating Young Writers, Vicki shows teachers how to look at any piece of writing and focus on the power and strengths within. The shared language of the craft she creates with terms like organization, leads, fluency, detail, and many others offers students and teachers both increased understanding of how writing works and a sense of control over that writing. Knowing the craft helps keep the ball in their court. It builds confidence--one of the best foundations for skill ... In this book, you will find numerous samples of fiction and nonfiction books to help you and your students learn from master authors. In addition, you'll find practical writing lessons that combine traits with writing process, and numerous authentic student samples that show ideas, voice, fluency, and other features of strong writing emerging in the work of our very youngest writers. At a time in the United States where mandated testing has tempted too many of our veteran and first-year teachers to turn to formulaic writing instruction for quick answers, Creating Young Writers comes as a precious antidote: real writing instruction that can motivate students and boost test scores without deadening spirits. Vicki Spandel is a writer who teaches writing. If you read her book carefully and follow its philosophy, you are likely to find yourself going further as a writing teacher than you ever dreamed you could. As the title suggests, you will create a class of writers, and one important member of that class will be you. -- From the Foreword by Barry Lane If you believe that writing can rock the world, then this is your book. If you believe primary students are writers, that they communicate important ideas through their words and art, this is your book. If you can hardly wait to see and hear what your writers have to tell you next, then this is your book. Welcome to a celebration of primary writing. -- From the Preface by Vicki Spandel

In Creating Young Writers, Vicki shows teachers how to look at any piece of writing and focus on the power and strengths within. The shared language of the craft she creates with terms like organization, leads, fluency, detail, and many others offers students and teachers both increased understanding of how writing works and a sense of control over that writing. Knowing the craft helps keep the ball in their court. It builds confidence--one of the best foundations for skill ... In this book, you will find numerous samples of fiction and nonfiction books to help you and your students learn from master authors. In addition, you'll find practical writing lessons that combine traits with writing process, and numerous authentic student samples that show ideas, voice, fluency, and other features of strong writing emerging in the work of our very youngest writers. At a time in the United States where mandated testing has tempted too many of our veteran and first-year teachers to turn to formulaic writing instruction for quick answers, Creating Young Writers comes as a precious antidote: real writing instruction that can motivate students and boost test scores without deadening spirits. Vicki Spandel is a writer who teaches writing. If you read her book carefully and follow its philosophy, you are likely to find yourself going further as a writing teacher than you ever dreamed you could. As the title suggests, you will create a class of writers, and one important member of that class will be you. -- From the Foreword by Barry Lane If you believe that writing can rock the world, then this is your book. If you believe primary students are writers, that they communicate important ideas through their words and art, this is your book. If you can hardly wait to see and hear what your writers have to tell you next, then this is your book. Welcome to a celebration of primary writing. -- From the Preface by Vicki Spandel

Third Time's a Charm Is it possible that one book could serve as a quick, easy to use resource for just about everything a primary teacher needs to know about writing instruction? After reading Vicki Spandel's Creating Young Writers: Using the Six Traits to Enrich Writing Process in Primary Classrooms (3rd ed.), I'm starting to think this might be the one. True to form, Spandel continues to open our eyes to the most important concepts about teaching writing, but in the third edition of this trusted resource, she does so while seamlessly weaving the six traits together with the components of writing workshop, writing process, and authentic literature. In this edition, we encounter Spandel's familiar voice of knowledge and reason, as she takes us back to the roots of the six traits, clearing away the cobwebs collecting on those old rubrics and inviting us (giving us permission?) to celebrate real, true writing in all its forms - and in the products of our young writers . In doing so, she reminds us that - as valuable as rubrics and terminology may be - our best instructional decisions still rest in the hearts and writing of the children sitting in front of us every day. To readers of Spandel's other works, this will come as no surprise. So, then, what's new in the 3rd edition? Lots! For starters, the entire book has been redesigned, making it more user friendly than ever, and the organizational structure is completely different. In this edition, everything about a single trait is grouped together, making finding specific information faster and easier. Two chapters are dedicated to each of the six traits - one that clarifies the trait followed by a chapter that gives practical ideas for integrating it into your workshop and process instruction. Spandel scaffolds our own learning as she shows us how to model writing and highlights what we need to look for (and say!) when exploring the concepts of each trait with our learners. Spandel includes a new feature - perfectly placed side bar notes called Keys to Success - where she shares useful tips and thoughts to help you stay focused and on target. You'll also notice stronger conversations about the writing process and the writing workshop sprinkled throughout the new edition. And, if you're like me, you'll appreciate the revised primary writing guides and continuums as well as the addition of writing guides for our youngest writers who aren't yet ready for the traditional ones from the second edition. Reading the 3rd edition of Creating Young Writers is like revisiting an old friend who's just back from college. The same, familiar companion, but wiser for the time away. Updated with new sample papers, book recommendations, and study group reflections, this book is a must have. Whether you're new to writing instruction or you're checking back in for a tune up, you'll feel an instant connection with an author who knows her stuff and knows how to deliver it well. And, when she's done, you'll walk away content that you've invested your valuable time wisely and empowered to apply your new learning to your daily writing instruction. Terry Thompson Instructional Intervention TeacherWindcrest ElementaryNorth East ISDSan Antonio, Texas A Must Have You'll want to place the name of this brand new title at the top of your holiday shopping list: must have. This book is the perfect gift for the professional library of individuals who work with young children. Vicki Spandel's latest and greatest work once again reflects Vicki's masterful skills when writing about writing. What a talent! She's created an easy-to-follow format so that the textual organization makes learning about the traits almost easy--enjoyable, entertaining, exciting. New samples of student writing (sometimes with original art) permeate various explanations and narratives throughout the text. One of the greatest assets you'll find in the 3rd Edition: new writing guides designed to make assessment at primary level both easy and age-appropriate. Along with more emphasis on children's literature using various trade books from Vicki's workshops, this text will prove to be very beneficial to you within the context of a number of scenarios: if you are a professional educator or para-educator involved in instructing young children; a day-care provider working with little ones; a staff developer needing support for early childhood workshops; a principal wanting to enhance your school's professional library; or if you are the leader of a study team wanting to learn how to do a better job of teaching writing at the primary level. Creating Young Writers will fill the bill and provide you with invaluable insights about teaching writing to young children! Enjoy your learning! Vicki makes the journey fun! Donna Flood Part-time Faculty Capella University Minneapolis, MN

Third Time's a Charm Is it possible that one book could serve as a quick, easy to use resource for just about everything a primary teacher needs to know about writing instruction? After reading Vicki Spandel's Creating Young Writers: Using the Six Traits to Enrich Writing Process in Primary Classrooms (3rd ed.), I'm starting to think this might be the one. True to form, Spandel continues to open our eyes to the most important concepts about teaching writing, but in the third edition of this trusted resource, she does so while seamlessly weaving the six traits together with the components of writing workshop, writing process, and authentic literature. In this edition, we encounter Spandel's familiar voice of knowledge and reason, as she takes us back to the roots of the six traits, clearing away the cobwebs collecting on those old rubrics and inviting us (giving us permission?) to celebrate real, true writing in all its forms - and in the products of our young writers . In doing so, she reminds us that -- as valuable as rubrics and terminology may be - our best instructional decisions still rest in the hearts and writing of the children sitting in front of us every day. To readers of Spandel's other works, this will come as no surprise. So, then, what's new in the 3rd edition? Lots! For starters, the entire book has been redesigned, making it more user friendly than ever, and the organizational structure is completely different. In this edition, everything about a single trait is grouped together, making finding specific information faster and easier. Two chapters are dedicated to each of the six traits -- one that clarifies the trait followed by a chapter that gives practical ideas for integrating it into your workshop and process instruction. Spandel scaffolds our own learning as she shows us how to model writing and highlights what we need to look for (and say!) when exploring the concepts of each trait with our learners. Spandel includes a new feature - perfectly placed side bar notes called Keys to Success - where she shares useful tips and thoughts to help you stay focused and on target. You'll also notice stronger conversations about the writing process and the writing workshop sprinkled throughout the new edition. And, if you're like me, you'll appreciate the revised primary writing guides and continuums as well as the addition of writing guides for our youngest writers who aren't yet ready for the traditional ones from the second edition. Reading the 3rd edition of Creating Young Writers is like revisiting an old friend who's just back from college. The same, familiar companion, but wiser for the time away. Updated with new sample papers, book recommendations, and study group reflections, this book is a must have. Whether you're new to writing instruction or you're checking back in for a tune up, you'll feel an instant connection with an author who knows her stuff and knows how to deliver it well. And, when she's done, you'll walk away content that you've invested your valuable time wisely and empowered to apply your new learning to your daily writing instruction. Terry Thompson Instructional Intervention TeacherWindcrest ElementaryNorth East ISDSan Antonio, Texas A Must Have You'll want to place the name of this brand new title at the top of your holiday shopping list: must have. This book is the perfect gift for the professional library of individuals who work with young children. Vicki Spandel's latest and greatest work once again reflects Vicki's masterful skills when writing about writing. What a talent! She's created an easy-to-follow format so that the textual organization makes learning about the traits almost easy--enjoyable, entertaining, exciting. New samples of student writing (sometimes with original art) permeate various explanations and narratives throughout the text. One of the greatest assets you'll find in the 3rd Edition: new writing guides designed to make assessment at primary level both easy and age-appropriate. Along with more emphasis on children's literature using various trade books from Vicki's workshops, this text will prove to be very beneficial to you within the context of a number of scenarios: if you are a professional educator or para-educator involved in instructing young children; a day-care provider working with little ones; a staff developer needing support for early childhood workshops; a principal wanting to enhance your school's professional library; or if you are the leader of a study team wanting to learn how to do a better job of teaching writing at the primary level. Creating Young Writers will fill the bill and provide you with invaluable insights about teaching writing to young children! Enjoy your learning! Vicki makes the journey fun! Donna Flood Part-time Faculty Capella University Minneapolis, MN

Author Information

Vicki Spandel has worked as a language arts teacher, researcher, editor, journalist, technical writer, and award winning video producer. In 1984, Vicki coordinated the 17-member teacher team out of Beaverton, Oregon, that developed the original, internationally recognized 6-trait model for writing assessment and instruction. Since that time, she has served as scoring director for more than 80 state, county, and district writing assessments, and has developed instructional writing materials for students K through college. She is a frequent visitor in writing classrooms, providing coaching on writing, revision, and editing. Vicki is the author or co-author (with Jeff Hicks) of more than 30 books for teachers and students, including Creating Young Writers, 2nd Edition (2008, Allyn and Bacon), The 9 Rights of Every Writer (2005, Heinemann), The Write Traits Classroom Kits, Grades 1 through 8 (Great Source Education Group), Write Traits Advanced, Grades 9 through 12 (Great Source), and most recently, Write Traits Kindergarten: Bringing the Traits to Kinderwriters (2008, Great Source). She lives with her family in the beautiful Three Sisters Wilderness area of Central Oregon, where she is currently working on several picture books.

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