M11: Writing Assessment (Using 6+1 Traits)
What do teachers look for when grading students’ writing? How do we grade papers in the classroom? How are students assessed overall in writing? There are many different points at which student writing is assessed. We will talk about assessment more in a later module, but for now, it is important to mention a tool that is used for both teaching and assessing writing: 6+1 Traits.
6+1 Traits
The 6 + 1 Traits is one way teachers assess writing. It's not a program or curriculum. The Six Traits is a scoring guide or a tool for writing. It creates a shared vocabulary for teachers and students and earlier renditions of STAAR were based on 6+1 Traits.
The Six Traits is an instrument teachers can use to provide “accurate, reliable feedback to students and to help guide instruction.” The six traits were developed in the 1980’s by teachers from across the country and are still used in many areas.
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The six traits are:
The “Plus One” trait is the presentation of the writing piece. |
Six +1 Traits are used to effectively teach writing with diverse learners. Watch this video to learn more:
You can read more about the 6+1 Traits by clicking this link to Education Northwest's overview. Links to an external site.
While 6+1 Traits are used as a formative process throughout teaching writing, ELs' writing proficiency is also assessed formally through the TELPAS (the same instrument that the listening, speaking, and reading areas are assessed). The next page will explore the writing portion of that assessment in a little more detail.