Education Northwest’s 6+1 Trait Writing Model of Instruction & Assessment is a powerful framework designed to help teachers and students use a common language to learn about the characteristics of good writing and to create a common vision of what that quality writing looks like.

Participants of this three-day institute will be introduced to this popular analytic model—providing them with classroom practices to help students identify quality in writing, manage their own writing process, practice effective revision and editing, and become confident writers.

This 6+1 Trait Writing Introduction to the Traits Institute is designed to address grades K–5. Classroom, special education, and English language learner teachers; literacy coaches and trainers; curriculum specialists and school and district administrators are encouraged to attend. Trait-based instruction, as presented in this institute, can provide a solid grasp of high-quality writing which will help students achieve the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts.

Participants will:

• Be introduced to analytic writing instruction and assessment
• Learn to formatively evaluate student writing across seven dimensions of performance: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation
• Explore a range of proven classroom practices and classroom-tested resources
• Use rubrics to plan detailed trait-writing instruction for specific grade levels
• Use rubrics to provide students with effective feedback
• Examine and use clearly defined rubrics to score student work samples at the appropriate grade levels
• Align the writing process with trait instruction to build a seamless system
• Review, explore, and apply primary and elementary lessons for each trait
• Plan for trait-writing instruction and create lesson plans
• Build a learning community that shares a common vocabulary and vision of quality writing performance

Facilitator

Jan Littlebear, a senior program advisor at Education Northwest, provides training in the 6+1 Trait Writing model across the country. She also assists with research in teaching and assessing writing. Littlebear relies on research-supported best practices and on 18 years of experience using the 6+1 Trait model in both elementary and secondary classrooms, as well as tutoring students and mentoring teachers. She has a master’s degree in education with a focus on language and literacy, as well as a National Board Certification in early adolescence English and language arts. In her workshops, Littlebear uses humor, interactive strategies, and hands-on activities to involve everyone in the learning process. Participants often remark how reenergized and excited they are to return to their classrooms and apply what they have learned.

Location and Lodging

The institute will be held in the fifth-floor boardroom at:

Education Northwest
101 S.W. Main St., Suite 500
Portland, OR 97204
503.275.9500

Several hotels are within walking distance of Education Northwest’s downtown Portland offices. The closest, most affordable option is Hotel 50—just three blocks away and on the MAX light rail line (with frequent access to Portland International Airport). To make reservations, call 503.221.0711 and ask for the Education Northwest corporate rate. The RiverPlace Hotel, Hotel Modera, Marriott Waterfront, and Hilton Portland are other quality options within walking distance to Education Northwest. Parking at Education Northwest is $15 per day. Education Northwest is also within walking distance of Portland’s light rail and bus mall.

Fees

By October 31, 2011: $600 per person
After October 31, 2011: $650 per person

Fees include all materials, supplies, breakfast, and lunch. Daily institute hours are 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Lunch is 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Register Now

For additional information, contact Mark Workman, 503.275.9572.

Refunds (minus a $75 processing fee) are available with written notification no later than January 13, 2012. There are no refunds for cancellations after that date. No-shows will forfeit their registration fee. Registration forms received without a purchase order, VISA, or MasterCard number, or check will not reserve your spot at the institute. All registration fees must be paid by January 17, 2012, unless prior arrangements have been made.

Attachment
6+1 Trait Writing Introduction to the Traits Institute for Grades K-5