Next sessions:

EDUC 744 920 Grades K-4 June 16- August 10, 2008
EDUC 744 909 Grades 5-12 June 16- August 10, 2008
EDUC 744 920 Grades K-4 September 22- November 15, 2008
EDUC 744 909 Grades 5-12 September 22- November 15, 2008

3 semester hours graduate credit
No travel to campus - Online

Description: Learn how to teach and assess writing more effectively and help students understand the 6-Traits of good writing (voice, ideas, word choice, organization, sentence fluency & conventions) and explore strategies to enable learners to progress through higher standards and improve test scores. Designed for ESL/ELL teachers, English and language arts teachers, teachers interested in writing across the curriculum, special education teachers, and curriculum coordinators.

Review a few comments from our past participants.

You will learn how to help student writers find ‘their voices’. You will learn how to help your students assess and revise their own writing. Strategies for using the 6-traits writing rubrics to both teach and assess writing will be discussed.

Conducted completed online with no face-to-face sessions. You may participate using your home or school computer.

Participant Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Summarize historical foundations of the the 6 traits movement and its relevance to classroom instruction;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of student vocabulary of the 6 traits and critical attributes of each trait when observed in writing samples;
3. Apply the the 6 traits rubrics to analytically score writing samples and describe reasoning behind scoring decisions based on the point scale rubrics of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) and the Oregon Public Education Network (O.P.E.N.);
4. Use online databases to practice analytical scoring for each of the 6 traits;
5. Demonstrate effective strategies for teaching writing and how to adapt 6 traits to support the writing process in the classroom;
6. Analyze the relationship between reading and writing and how each can be enhanced using the 6 traits;
7. Redesign current writing lessons and integrate the 6 traits approach with developmentally appropriate learning activities;
8. Analyze the impact of standardized testing on writing instruction and how 6 traits assessments prepare students for national writing tests;
9. Participate in threaded discussions using collaborative skills and model this technique with writing classes using blogs and/or online discussion boards;
10. Write reflectively about the themes, topics, and issues involved in teaching with the 6 traits.

Readings:

Purchase the Required Textbooks:

Textbook for K-4* teachers: Creating Young Writers: Using the Six Traits to Enrich Writing Process in Primary Classrooms by Vicki Spandel. Pearson Education Inc. 2004.

Textbook for teachers in grades 5-12: Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction (4th Edition.) by Vicki Spandel. Pearson Education Inc. 2005.

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

Prerequisites:
Hardware and Software Requirements

What are the minimum technology requirements?

Complete the system checkup on this website, https://uwstout.courses.wisconsin.edu/
by clicking on the link that says: Check your system.

Review the list of compatible/recommended browsers and software programs for Learn@UWStout at the Online Help Desk.

If you have any questions about these preferences, please call one of the numbers listed below and indicate that you are a UW-Stout student needing help with Learn@UW-Stout . Help is available 7 days a week.

• 1-888-435-7589 select option 3
, or
• 1-608-264-4357 select option 3

Modem - 56 kbps ( A high speed connection to the Internet is preferred. )
Operating System - Windows XP, Macintosh OSX or System 9 (Older operating systems will work for most of the course content.)
Memory - 128MB of RAM (256 or greater preferred) Older computers will be able to access most of the course content.

All projects will be exchanged by e-mail and the course DropBox, and your instructor will provide feedback, suggestions and comments by reply e-mail and the DropBox feedback.

Take a few minutes to review the Frequently Asked Questions, (FAQs).

Instructor:
Dennis O'Connor - background information

REGISTRATION:
Sign Up Soon
Tuition is payable by university billing, MasterCard, or Visa.
Participants may select the payment plan option in fall and spring, but it is not available during summer session. Refund policy

Enrollment is limited to twenty participants; register online .

Check out the list of additional online classes.

For additional information, e-mail your comments or questions to:

Contact: Joan M. Vandervelde
Online Professional Development Coordinator
School of Education
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751
phone: (715) 642-0209
fax: (715) 232-3385

Orientation Activities
Purchase the required textbook:

Textbook for K-4* teachers: Creating Young Writers: Using the Six Traits to Enrich Writing Process in Primary Classrooms by Vicki Spandel. Pearson Education Inc. 2004.

Textbook for teachers in grades 5-12: Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction (4th Edition.) by Vicki Spandel. Pearson Education Inc. 2005.

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

After you are enrolled, review the orientation activities. Review the Student Expectations and Responsibilities and Academic Expectations and Dishonesty Policy.

Alignment with Teaching Standards
Participants in this class will gain experience that will help them meet the following Wisconsin Teaching Standards: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9

This class will help participants meet the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers I, II, III, V.