40 Reproducible Forms for the Writing Traits Classroom (Scholastic Teaching Strategies, Grades 3 and Up) [Paperback]

Ruth Culham (Author), Amanda Wheeler (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Checklists, graphic organizers, rubrics and scoring sheets and more to boost students’ writing skills in all seven traits.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (April 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439556848
• ISBN-13: 978-0439556842
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Study Aids

More About the Author

You never know what's brewing next with Ruth Culham, aka "The Trait Lady." She's either on a plane traveling to a school district or conference to present her latest thinking about how to use the six-trait model for assessment and instruction, or creating new Scholastic resources for writing teachers to use in the classroom.

Actually, she credits Delta airlines for completing the new middle school book and the books that go with it such as forms, mentor text, and comments. During those long flights between who-knows-where and Portland, Oregon (home base) she logged some serious writing hours. The new core book contains way, way cool new scoring guides, papers, lessons, and ideas to make a middle school writing teacher's life a happy place. Think that's impossible? Stay tuned. A writing revolution is underway.

Ruth spent 19 years in the classroom, the highlight of which was being named Montana's English/Language Arts teacher of the year. After classroom teaching, she worked as researcher and then Unit Manager for the Assessment Program at Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. She finished her doctorate. She wrote her first book: 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Grades 3 and Up. And the rest, they say, is history.

Check out this site for the many exciting and teacher-friendly trait-based writing resources now available to support teachers and students from Scholastic Press.

Her latest book, "Traits of Writing:The Complete Guide for Middle School" won the 2011 Teacher's Choice Award, a rarity for a professional book. When the Trait Crates for grades 3-5 won the award in 2008, she was thrilled. This year's recognition makes it even more special.

And there's much more coming in the months and years ahead⎯including a top-secret project bound to make K-8 teachers smile. There's always more-in her heart and on her mind. Her connections to teachers and students keep the work fresh. Her home office keeps her comfortable. Her friends keep her in wine. Her cats keep her company. Life is pretty good.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 40 Reproducilbe Forms For Writing, October 22, 2005

By 

Keri A. Simacek "Mrs. S" (Princeton, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 40 Reproducible Forms for the Writing Traits Classroom (Scholastic Teaching Strategies, Grades 3 and Up) (Paperback)

Exactly what I was looking for as a 4th grade teacher using 6 Trait writing in my classroom. The rubrics are easy to use and modify. The "forms" inside make understanding 6 Traits for young writers easier.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Time Saver for the Truly Busy Teacher, June 16, 2010

By 

Yvonne C - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 40 Reproducible Forms for the Writing Traits Classroom (Scholastic Teaching Strategies, Grades 3 and Up) (Paperback)

This helpful book contains four, five, and six-point rubrics/scoring sheets as well as numerical and practice-paper scoring sheets; checklists for students to help them remember to include the required elements of the various genres of writing; Paper Clippers to attach to students' graded writings showing them which elements they remembered/forgot to include; and forms to help students with the prewriting processes. The Writing Modes Quick Reference will be particularly helpful to beginning writers: It explains where the various genres of writing are used (IE: descriptive writing is used in travel brochures, menus, etc.). Publishing checklists, grader/rater checklists, form containing activities to encourage writing at home, and forms to communicate with parents have also been included in the mix. Of the 40 forms, I think the prewriting form for persuasive writing may prove to be the most useful along with the Paper Clippers and the Cut-Apart Scoring Sheets. The latter will be helpful when students team up with their peer proofreaders to assess each other's drafts. Although not a must-have, for the truly busy teacher, this book is a time saver.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for 8th graders, March 19, 2008

By 

Lauralu - See all my reviews

This review is from: 40 Reproducible Forms for the Writing Traits Classroom (Scholastic Teaching Strategies, Grades 3 and Up) (Paperback)

What I love about the 6 Traits is the accessibility across the grade levels. My initial experiences with 6 Traits was in the elementary school and I currently teach 8th grade. I have not found this resource to be helpful with older writers as most of the language is for young writers. With some of my students writing at the high school, even college level, it seems inappropriate. I use picture books for inspiration, but the checklists are too young. I will continue to collect 6 Traits materials as I found it is the best way to teach writing effectively.