Creating Young Writers

Book excerpt: From highly acclaimed author Vicki Spandel comes the most comprehensive exploration of six-trait writing from the inside out, in terms teachers and their students can understand. In response to primary teachers' requests for ways to use the six-trait approach to writing with K--3 students, this book is the result of years of analysing primary writing, watching primary writers at work, and talking with teachers and students to see just how the traits show themselves in the work of our youngest writers. Unlike other books on the six traits, this one shows teachers exactly how to teach traits in context, as an integral part of writing process and writing workshop. Together, these three elements-traits, process, and workshop-combine to place young writers on a path of unprecedented success. Designed to give practicing and new teachers a more in-depth understanding of the writing process and how it connects to the six traits, while encouraging them to write continuously with students and model their own personal writing process, the book is a goldmine of activities, strategies, and lesson ideas ideal for use in the K--3 classroom or as part of a study group.