Writers Workshop - 6 Traits Writing: IDEAS - Using Picture Books

This one-time class uses Tomorrow's Alphabet by George Shannon as an anchor text to springboard creativity and analytical thinking skills beyond the obvious as students create their own Tomorrow's Alphabet book.  This activity focuses on the writing trait of IDEAS. Teachers use these writing traits to help students learn the specific skills necessary to improve and make their writing work.

ELA Focus:  Students must learn to communicate effectively through writing to be successful in school and life.  Students should have opportunities to write for varied purposes and audiences in all modes, using fully developed IDEAS, strong organization, well-chosen words, fluent sentences, and appropriate voice."  Guiding Principle of the Writing Strand for Critical Reading & Writing Standard


Structure of Class - Google Slide Presentation & Teacher Created Templates 
1) Student Introductions 
2) Trait Introduced:  IDEAS
3) Read-Aloud:  anchor text, Tomorrow's Alphabet by George Shannon, which exemplifies the trait so that students can see the trait in action within a published picture book.

4) Writing Workshop:  brainstorming extraordinary, unusual, and unique IDEAS
IDEAS:  We will brainstorm and seek out the extraordinary, the unusual, the unique, the otherwise overlooked IDEA for each letter the class allows time to address.  Students will have a solid understanding of how to complete their book if we are not able to work our way through the alphabet within 55 minutes.

What are the 6 Traits?
Ideas: The meaning and development of the message.
Organization: The internal structure of the piece.
Voice: The way the writer brings the topic to life.
Word Choice: The specific vocabulary the writer uses to convey meaning.
Sentence Fluency: The way the words and phrases flow throughout the text.
Conventions: The mechanical correctness of the piece.
Presentation: The overall appearance of the work.