Writing Resources

Does your district use the Six Traits of Writing? Have you been wanting to make posters, bulletin boards, or manipulatives to go along with your lessons but just haven’t had the time? 

We just uploaded a few new writing files on our TpT store. Check them out below!

Smart Writers Rock! 

This file includes labels for these easy to make smart writers manipulative boxes. 

Give your students a chance to take on different voices for different types of texts!

First, purchase one of these scrapbooking storage bins at your local craft store, laminate the trait cards, and attach velcro to both items:

When you’re studying a particular trait, velcro the appropriate card to the bin:

Then, find items you have around your house or classroom that match the trait and fill the bin! The Voice Box below is filled with an old cell phone and different characters. How would the loveable chipmunk, Alvin, read a passage? How about a pirate? Tough Boris by Mem Fox is an awesome book to use to teach the trait of voice (and word choice!). Boris von der Borch is NOT a mean, greedy old pirate - tough as nails, through and through, like all the other pirates.

After learning about the trait of voice, my students LOVE writing their final copy using a "microphone" pencil! Simply glue a puff ball to a pencil (I spray painted these black, but you could use any pencil)!

Smart Writers Rock! also includes 6 separate sheets that explain all of the traits.

These are great to use at Parent Night or to have students keep in their writing folders.

The file also includes colorful posters for each writing trait. I display these with my Scoopin' Up Sweet Writing bulletin board:

 

A favorite with our students is the smart writers sticky cards!

When a student uses a trait in their writing, have them place a tab next to that part in their story. This can be done when they are editing or rereading their work. The students love using them because it keeps them engaged during the writing process.

When it is time for their writing conference, this will give you a quick look at the traits they are using and what areas you need to discuss during your meeting.

For all the writing workshop fans out there...this file includes some goodies for you, too!

This is not a new idea but we love it because it works for our students! We keep track of where each student is during the writing process by having the students move their clothespin along the pencil as they go

 through the stages. Its a great reference so you know who needs help! This file includes a primary and intermediate writing process "pencil".

Here is a snapshot of the Smart Writers Rock! file (there is more than what is shown below):

Are you looking for quick and effective mini-lessons to teach your students to use the traits in their writing? We also just uploaded a new file that is over 180  pages: Writing Mini-Lessons for Smart Writers!

*Over 75 pages are dedicated to mini-lessons on using good word choice

(show don’t tell, onomatopoeia, snapshot and student similes and other figurative language, idioms, synonyms, color swatch lessons, and sensory words)

*14 different lessons to teach your students how to develop strong ideas in their writing

*5 different lessons to teach your smarties to use sentence fluency in their writing

*10 different lessons to teach your kiddos to let their VOICE be heard in their writing

*10 different lessons to teach your students that good writers organize their writing (including our favorite How to Be a Solid Shape and Lost and Found lessons!)

Some of these lessons are very brief (one page) and are meant to be taught in one day (hence the word mini-lessons!). Other lessons are more in-depth and can be taught over the course of a few days. These lessons are designed to help you effectively teach the traits that good writers use throughout their writing. Conventions are not included in this file—we are making a different file for this trait!

Here is a snapshot of some of our favorite lessons from the Writing Mini-Lessons for Smart Writers file:

Recycled Writing Ideas!

Have students place brainstormed writing topics in this bin by writing them on strips of paper. They can go to the recycling bin for inspiration when they experience writer's block on future assignments! 

How to be a solid shape! A fun and interactive lesson with a math twist!

We have used this idea for a couple years now and our students love it! Encourage your writers to use good word choice by adding color words to their writing! Warning: After this lesson, you will never be able to use "boring" color words with your students aagain! "Take out your BLUE folder" will be replaced with, "Take out your SKY BLUE or INDIGO or MIDNIGHT folder." (Really, you'll see!)

Good writers make their writing interesting by using figurative language- like similes! I enlarge this into a poster and hang it up after we learn about similes. When students find a simile during their independent reading time, they write the it on a sticky note and put it on the poster. You won't believe how many they will find! :)

Last, but not least, we have combined ALL of the files listed above (Six Traits Bulletin Board Inspiration, Writing Mini-Lessons for Smart Writers, and Smart Writers Rock!) in one HUGE file. HUGE as in 200 pages HUGE. :)   If you are interested in this unit, click on the title: The Ultimate Writing Resource for Any Teacher

And just because we appreciate the fact that you are still reading this long post we are giving away some freebies.

-The first person to comment will get: Six Traits Bulletin Board Inspiration

-The second person to comment will get: Smart Writers Rock!

-The third person to comment will get: Writing Mini-Lessons for Smart Writers

-The fourth person to comment will get: The Ultimate Writing Resource for Any Teacher (The BIG one!!!)

Just tell us your thoughts about teaching writing and DON'T FORGET to leave your email address! :)