University of Wisconsin Stout | Wisconsin's Polytechnic University

Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits

Online Course 3 semester hours graduate credit
Instructor: Dennis O'Connor
Tuition and Registration
June 17 - August 9, 2013

Learn to teach and assess writing with the 6-Traits of writing (voice, ideas, word choice, organization, sentence fluency and conventions). Learn strategies to teach revision, investigate student blogging, and use EverNote to organize online resources. Help learners meet Common Core and state writing standards and improve test scores. Participants get extensive hands-on practice assessing a variety of student samples using the 6-Traits rubric.

Who Should Enroll?

Designed for ESL/ELL teachers, English and language arts teachers, teachers interested in writing across the curriculum, special education teachers, technical and community college writing instructors, and curriculum coordinators.

You may enroll to meet your goals for professional development, continuing education, license renewal, or to complete graduate credits and transfer to another university. This course is an approved elective in the Master of Science in Education online degree program.

Description

EDUC 744 909 Middle School Through Adult 6-Traits Writing Instruction June 17 - August 9, 2013   Syllabus
Concepts, instructional methods and assessment strategies for improving writing instruction, middle school through post-secondary. Self-assessment strategies, application of 6-traits, technology and software applications, and writing across the curriculum.

EDUC 744 920 PK Through Elementary 6-Traits Writing Instruction June 17 - August 9, 2013   Syllabus
Application of the 6-Traits theory to assessment and instruction of student writing in PK through grade 4. Study of the continuum of primary and elementary language arts skills and writing across the curriculum.

Textbook

You may purchase the textbook online from amazon.com used, new or as an ebook for the Kindle or Nook or to download to your computer.

Textbook for PK-4* teachers:
Spandel, Vicki, (2011). Creating Young Writers: Using the Six Traits to Enrich Writing Process in Primary Classrooms (3rd Edition) (Creating 6-Trait Revisers and Editors Series), Pearson Education.ISBN: 978-0132685856

Textbook for Middle School-Adult Ed teachers:
Spandel, Vicki. (2012). Creating Writers: 6 Traits, Process, Workshop, and Literature (6th Edition). Pearson. ISBN: 978-0132944106

*4th Grade Teachers, ESL, Special Ed, and teachers working in 'inclusive' classrooms will benefit from using both books.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the 6-Traits theory of writing and its relevance to classroom writing instruction.
   
   
2. Analyze how 6-Traits writing instruction supports the Common Core Writing Standards.
   
   
3. Analyze the relationship between reading and writing and how each can be enhanced using the 6 traits.
   
   
4. Apply a variety of composing and revision techniques used in the writing process.
   
   
5. Apply the 6 traits rubrics to analytically score writing samples and describe reasoning behind scoring decisions based on the point scale rubric of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL).
   
   
6. Use online databases to practice analytical scoring for each of the 6 traits;
   
   
7. Demonstrate effective strategies for teaching writing and differentiate 6 traits instruction based on a wide range of academic diversity including English language learners and special needs students.
   
   
8. Redesign current writing lessons and integrate the 6 traits approach with developmentally appropriate learning activities.
   
   
9. Analyze the impact of standardized testing on writing instruction and how 6 traits assessments prepare students for national writing tests;
   
   
10. Apply collaborative learning theory, model the technique with writing classes, and demonstrate use of technology such as discussion forums, online writing centers, blogs and wikis for writing assignments.
    
    
11. Increase the frequency of student writing with strategic integration of carefully designed writing tasks in reading, math, science, and social studies.
     
12. Write reflectively about the themes, topics, and issues involved in teaching with the 6 traits.

Alignment with Teaching Standards

Course objectives are aligned with the following:
Wisconsin Teaching Standards
(WI DPI) 1, 3, 7, 8, 9

National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers
(NETS-T) 2, 3

No travel to campus required. Because this class is online and open to you 24/7, you may participate from your home or work computer during hours that are flexible and convenient for your work and family schedule and responsibilities.

The class is highly interactive with a significant discussion component. All discussion postings, projects and assignments will be submitted via the course discussion board and dropbox. Activities are conducted according to a schedule with specific due dates each week; there are no required "live" chat sessions.

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The School of Education reserves the right to cancel classes that do not meet minimum enrollment requirements.

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Contact Us: School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: 715-232-2253
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