6+1 Traits

The 6+1 trait writing seems like a very effective way to approach student writing and analyze the growth of students in writing as they move up in grade level.  I remember being exposed with this 6+1 trait writing when I was younger and using it as a helpful guide in my writing.  In class, I was able to learn each of the traits and how they applied to my writing.  They all are very important when it comes to writing.  The important part is that the traits are not new ideas in terms of the criteria for good writing and this comes as a relief to teachers.  Teachers are able to work with these traits in the way they see fit based on students' needs.  The traits are straightforward and they help students focus on the various aspects of their writing.  I liked how it said that the traits provided language that was shared amongst many teachers so that several teachers elsewhere were also using this same language for their students.  This is a great opportunity for students to be on the same path of writing in every school as they are learning these traits.

As much as I personally do not like the Common Core Standards, these traits also help the students with their writing and staying along the the lines of the requirements needed to meet these standards.  However, I like the wiggle room teachers have in terms of how they teach these traits because there isn't a specific way of going about it and that's important.  These traits are there as a guide for teachers and how they intend to use them is completely up to them.  Hopefully these traits will be continually taught in the future and provide exemplary language for the students to use in order to become good writers.