Download Writing Traits PowerPoints

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The traits of good writing are
• Conventions
• Ideas
• Voice
• Word Choice
• Sentence Fluency
• Organization
• Conferencing
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The purpose of using the six traits is to give students and
teachers the same language and expectations for writing
during Kindergarten Kid Writing. The traits give the
writer a clear picture of what to do to make the students'
writing- the best it can be.
Just as there are traits for field hockey, like speed,
staying low, good stick work, and playing as a team, there
are traits for quality writing.
The main goal is to transfer the writing skills students
have developed during Kid Writing to writing whenever it
is used, not just during Kid Writing.
E.Q. How can I use punctuation to make my
writing easier to read?
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Did I use a period?
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Did I use a question mark?
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Did I use spacing between words?
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Did I use letters to match sounds?
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Did I spell sight words correctly?
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Did I use a capital letter to begin a sentence?
E.Q. How can books, illustrations, symbols and our
own stories give us ideas of things to write?
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What is my message?
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Is my message clear?
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Did I try hard to make it interesting?
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Do I have enough information?
E.Q. How does voice help us to say what we
think?
 Do I really like this story?
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Does this writing sound like me?
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How do I want my readers to feel?
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My favorite part is_____________.
E.Q. When I look at my illustration, the word
that comes to my mind is_____________.
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Did I use a new word?
*

Did I use a word that * Sparkles? *
*
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*
Did I add a
Name?
*
Action?
*
Description?
E.Q. How can I make my writing flow?
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Do I have long and short sentences?
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Does my writing sound smooth?
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Does my writing flow like music?
E.Q. Why is organizing my writing so important?
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How does my writing look?
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Did I write from left to right?
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Did I write from top to bottom?
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Did I organize my writing with a picture?

a beginning, middle, and an ending?
E.Q. How can conferencing with my friends make
me a better writer?
Kindergarten adds Peer Conferencing to the menu of writing
traits. Throughout the year, the children learn three types
of conferencing which include…
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The author wants to know…
The listener wants to know…
The author has a few questions.
Each poster has a list of questions the author or the listener can choose to
ask during the peer conferencing part of Kid Writing.
The author wants to know…

What do you like about my story?

What pictures did you see in your mind as I read my
story?

What was your favorite part of my story?

What sparkle word can I add to my story?

Do you have any questions for me?
The listener wants to know…
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Tell me more about…
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I could hear your voice when you wrote …
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Why did you choose this idea?
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How do you feel about your story?
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What title did you give your story? Why?
The author has a few questions.

Why did I put a capital letter at the beginning of this
word?
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Why did I leave a space in between the words?
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What do you know about the word I in a sentence or when
it is by itself?
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What is this called? (?)

What is this called? (!)
Parents,
You can support your child’s writing at home
by asking the questions listed under each of the
writing trait slides. These are the same questions
I ask the kindergarten children once each of the
traits have been introduced. My weekly
newsletters will keep you informed as to when
each of the six traits have been introduced. If you
have any questions, you know where to find me!
Thank you for your time!
Mrs. Decker