Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 23:10:01 -0700 Subject: 6Traits Digest #26 - 07/15/99 From: "SixTraitsMailring" <6Traits@> To: "SixTraitsMailring" <6Traits@> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable Sender: <6Traits@> Precedence: Bulk List-Software: LetterRip Pro 3.0.5 by Fog City Software, Inc. List-Subscribe: List-Digest: List-Unsubscribe: 6Traits Digest #26 - Thursday, July 15, 1999 Re: Examples 1 and 2 for Ideas Rubric by "Irene" Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #4 by "Irene" Re: 6Traits- Ideas #1 - 7/12/99 by "Mark & Dot Drobney" Re: Money by Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #1, 2 , 4 by Grading by Re: 6Traits- Re: Voice and Ideas by "Susan Nixon" <susan@desertskyone.com> Ideas - Example #3 by "Susan Nixon" <susan@desertskyone.com> Ideas Rubric by "Cara" Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #3 by "Amy Schrader" Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #4 by "Amy Schrader" Re: 6Traits- Lost web address, HELP by "Amy Schrader" Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #3 by Assignment-Ideas #3 by "Laura Eble" Re: 6Traits- Ideas Rubric by New web pages by "Susan Nixon" <susan@desertskyone.com> New web pages by "Susan Nixon" <susan@desertskyone.com> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Examples 1 and 2 for Ideas Rubric From: Irene Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 00:37:18 -0600 I would rate #1 as a 4 perhaps becoming a 5. It is definitely strong but the details are general rather than carefully selected (kind of ordinary); the writer doesn't really share insights or make connections for us (they are obvious); and at times I had to work a bit to follow the train of thought. Excellent potential in this writer though!! Example #2 - the Lasagne (I love the writer's spelling of this word. My spelling is taken from a box - I had to check after my Spell-Checker suggested "Lasagna" which I had never seen before. It may be an American - Canadian spelling difference.) I would rate the piece as a 3. It is weak but not terribly so. The writer connects many ideas to the love of lasagne - the spices, the spinach, the feature at a restaurant, the health factor. The writer does not have enough information or volume (or perhaps enough perseverance with writing - the act of writing may be difficult due to a weak spelling vocabulary) to be at a strong level for content. Just my thoughts, Irene 2/3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #4 From: Irene Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 00:50:42 -0600 I would rate this as a 5. Pretty solid. The voice hopped around a bit though, didn't it? Irene, 2/3 P.S. Was there an example #3? I don't see one yet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- Ideas #1 - 7/12/99 From: Mark & Dot Drobney Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 12:18:24 -0400 Joan3teach@aol.com wrote: > > Perhaps examples of ideas and content would be the Magic School House = books. > These books certainly have voice too :) > > There is an absolutely hilarious book called Top Secret The Secret = Knowledge > of Grown Ups Confidential by David Wisniewski. > > Grown Up Rule # 31: Eat your Vegetables > Official Reason: Thery're good for you > > The Truth: to keep them under control > > "Millions of years ago, vegetables ruled the earth. Big bunches of = broccoli > stomped through the jungles followed by ferocious carrots and savage = packs of > peas. Huge heads of lettuce roamed the grasslands and giant celery = stalked > the plains. > > And what were these terrible vegetables looking for? > > You guessed it . . . > > People! Yes, these were meat-eating vegetables. They terrorized the = early > humans attacking withou warning. Our ancestors put up with this attack = for > centuries, living in drafty caves and getting nasty head colds. But = then > they discovered sticks ans stones. > . . . > The real turning point, however, was the discovery of fire. With it, = hunters > could firghten the less intelligent vegetables into ambushes and traps. > > . . . > > To prevent vegetables from ever regaining power, grown-ups eat them. = They > don't like the flavor any more than you do, but it keeps the little = horrors > feaful and demoralized. It's a simple way to protect modern = civilization. > > Besides, which would you rather do: eat vegetables or be eaten by > vegetables?" Hooray, Joan!! I love this book...it was introduced to my graduate class last year by another grade 5 teacher during our "read-aloud" portion of the class...needless to say, everyone ran out and bought the book! It's hilarious! Thanks, Dot ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Money From: AnnMath@aol.com Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 18:19:40 EDT Such an interesting debate. I too use a monitory system in my class. I = use my money system as an economics lesson. Mostly; however it is very handy = as a motivator for certain objectives/students. Some months I go heavy on it, others it is emphasized less. I must admit, however, the "do not choose" argument is a little weak. If *I *had my drothers I'd not "choose" to go = to work; but I have to eat, so it's what I choose. This leads also to the allowance debate. Should a child get paid for jobs, or just intrinsically = love and complete his duties. You can take an ethical stand on either = side; however, it depends on what your motivating goal was: are you interested = in getting the job done, building life/family skills, teaching morals, = avoiding hassles? all four? I don't see it as so black and white. Fortunately my = right brained thought processes don't allow me to obsess too much on any system for too long so my students are safe.( I haven't the attention span = =3D) I have enjoyed this mailring this summer! Ann 5 Maryland ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #1, 2 , 4 From: Joan3teach@aol.com Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 19:22:50 EDT I think I would rate the piece "The Day I Shrunk" as a 4-. I think it is more a four than a three. It gets a little wordy in the middle and the story/voice/idea gets somewhat lost. If he had tightened it up, it would = be a definite 4. I thought the "Lasagne" piece was a 3 for ideas. It has some supporting ideas but needs more specifics. I could understand it, even though the spelling was truly inventive. #4 seemed as if it had two different purposes for writing. I would give = the last four paragraphs a 5 or 6 because they were powerful, focused, and interesting. I was write there with the writer! I think it would be difficult to score the middle and ending sections of this writing on a = single rubric. I didn't get example 3. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Grading From: Sgreen70@aol.com Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 19:27:32 EDT I must be slow...I understand how to utilize the rubrics when reading = student work, but then what is the best way to give a writing grade? Do you come = up with another rubric and give each student a grade based on a non-six = traits rubric? I'm new at this, so I'm unsure how to assign a grade in writing. Thank you for any help, clarification, guidelines, etc. Sherry/4/AZ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- Re: Voice and Ideas From: Susan Nixon <susan@desertskyone.com> Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 16:14:15 -0700 >He had to be engaged in the assignment and subject, first. An = interesting >scene. Thanks, Caryn, for this reminder. This is *especially* important with the older students, which is why I like letting students choose what they will write, as often as is feasible, within curriculum constraints. Susan Nixon 2nd Grade Phoenix, AZ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Ideas - Example #3 From: Susan Nixon <susan@desertskyone.com> Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 16:20:44 -0700 Was there an example #3? Good question, Irene! I typed it, but I don't know what happened to it, because I haven't seen it either. Here it is again. =3D) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Green is Good Vegetarians. Aren't they those ehalth-food-nut, skinny-as-a-rail joggers we all see so much of? No. Vegetarians are just everyday people like you and me, especially me. I have been a vegetarian for almost three months now and I still can't find a reason to go back to eating meat. Why do people eat these innoscent animals if they know the harm that it's doing to their bodies? Studies show that vegetarians have a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. Besides that, red meat will clog up your kidneys. I really don't understand hunters. How can they kill anything as precious as a deer, then shoot it, cook it, and eat it? Just hours before it was grazing in the grass, pondering the finer aspects of life and now there it is laying helplessly on your plate. Deciding to become a vegetarian took me weeks of in-depth research. I had to keep my protein level up somehow. After reading that most of our forests were being cleared away for cattle grazing, I finally made my decision. So eat the greener way and avoid all those guilty feelings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Ideas Rubric From: Cara Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 19:31:37 -0600 Level - 1 - Beginning (Not Yet) extremely limited and unclear ideas minimal or non-existent development lack of focus Level 2 - Emerging*****not a 1 because...development of topic is attempted but minimal somewhat unclear main ideas extensive inferences required insufficient and irrelevant details extensive repetition of detail Level 3 - Developing****not a 2 because...an easily identifiable purpose and main idea; general or predictable supportive details uneven, overly broad, predictable or simplistic ideas occasionally slightly off-topic ideas based on cliches, stereotypes or questionable sources of information difficulty moving from general to specific Level 4 - Competent****not a 3 because...clear and focused; topic explored/explained; relevant supporting details easily identifiable purpose relevant, but sometimes overly general, details accurate support details may occasionally be out of balance some connections and insights not consistently well-chosen for audience and purpose Level 5 - Experienced***not a 4 because...relevant, carefully selected details; thorough balanced explanation/exploration of the topic clear, focused and interesting main ideas stand out strong, accurate, credible support makes connections and shares insights well-suited to audience and purpose Level 6 - WOW!****not a 5 because...exceptionally clear, focused and interesting; thorough, balanced in-depth explanation/exploration of the topic main ideas stand out supporting, relevant, carefully selected, rich details strong, accurate, credible support makes connections and shares insights well-suited to audience and purpose ----------------------- Cara Deb 2/Missouri 2/Ontario ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #3 From: Amy Schrader Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 21:16:04 -0400 (EDT) I scored this piece a 4. Good ideas and a clear purpose, but supporting details were not consistently well chosen for the purpose or audience and they seemed to be out of balance with the main idea at times. Amy 8th Sumter, SC --- Susan Nixon <susan@desertskyone.com> wrote: > Was there an example #3? > > Good question, Irene! I typed it, but I don't know > what happened to it, > because I haven't seen it either. Here it is again. > =3D) > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > > Green is Good > > Vegetarians. Aren't they those ehalth-food-nut, > skinny-as-a-rail joggers > we all see so much of? No. Vegetarians are just > everyday people like you > and me, especially me. I have been a vegetarian for > almost three months > now and I still can't find a reason to go back to > eating meat. > > Why do people eat these innoscent animals if they > know the harm that it's > doing to their bodies? Studies show that > vegetarians have a lower risk of > heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. > Besides that, red meat > will clog up your kidneys. > > I really don't understand hunters. How can they > kill anything as precious > as a deer, then shoot it, cook it, and eat it? Just > hours before it was > grazing in the grass, pondering the finer aspects of > life and now there it > is laying helplessly on your plate. > > Deciding to become a vegetarian took me weeks of > in-depth research. I had > to keep my protein level up somehow. After reading > that most of our > forests were being cleared away for cattle grazing, > I finally made my > decision. So eat the greener way and avoid all > those guilty feelings. > > > > _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #4 From: Amy Schrader Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 21:29:42 -0400 (EDT) I would give this piece a strong 4 on the way to a 5. It was interesting and did hold me attention, but the info in the middle about the plants and animals I wasn't sure belonged in this piece although they were related, not sure if they were relevent or suited for the way the author began and ended. However, that may have more to do with voice. Amy 8th Sumter, SC --- Susan Nixon <susan@desertskyone.com> wrote: > In the putting-my-money-where-my-mouth-is > department, I am giving you a > piece *I* wrote. Where do you think it fits on the > ideas rubric? Be > *honest*! My self-esteem can handle it. =3D) This is > my journal entry from > July 8, 1999. > > It rained last night. If you don't live in the > desert, you don't understand > the joy of rain. Rain is the gift of life, and it > comes to the Sonoran > Desert twice a year, unlike other,unlucky deserts. > Everything in the our > desert lies dusty and snoozing until the rains come. > > > The winter rains bring what spring beauty we are to > have, the renewal of > species, the opening of seeds long dormant. The > summer rains bring cool > breezes, the water to keep life going until the > winter rains. > > Plants in the desert have tiny leaves or thorns, > allowing very little > moisture to escape. The root systems spread out in > large flows, close to > the surface of the desert, to catch every drop of > moisture that comes. The > succulents store water until their tissues are ready > to burst, and then use > it in the dry times until they look more than half > dead and dessicated. > They survive until the next rainy season. > > Animals in the desert often get their water from > what they eat, other > animals, insects or plant life. They learn to adapt > and survive without a > large, steady water supply. You, too, can chew > cactus if you are lost in > the desert. They live underground, for the most > part, or hole up in the > shade of rocks and trees during the worst heat of > the day. They survive > until the next rainy season. > > People in the desert save and store water in > reservoirs, in dams on rivers, > making lakes for recreation. Many zeroscape, using > desert plants to > decorate homes, and adding perhaps a drip system to > water the roots > directly. Those with grass soon learn to water after > dark to keep the water > from evaporating on the way to the grass. Like the > plants and the animals, > we revel in the rain, and come out to celebrate its > coming. > > Last night it rained. The Ocotillo waved its long > branches in time to the > thunder, and blew right and left in the wind. It > wondered whether there > would be enough rain to allow it to put out leaves. > The many-armed Saguaro > stood tall, blooming in the night hours, allowing > the rain to enter its > dry-tissue reservoirs. Prickly Pear resisted the > wind and welcomed the rain > with rounded, flat, thorny leaves > reaching out. Greasewood trees dusted themselves off > and sent forth their > desert-rain scent to tell all the animals that the > rains had come. > > Animals waited in dens and holing-up places, > planning their chance to drink > their fill, eat their fill at the night's desert > smorgasbord. Every animal > shook off the heat of day and reveled in the 25 > degree temperature drop. > > This desert rat watched trees blow around, watched > orange dust clouds blow > by, preceding the rains, watched lightning split the > sky over the darkened > mountains in brilliant slices. This desert rat > opened all the windows and > doors so the breeze would come in, damp and cool. > This desert rat got out > the candles and oil lamps because the electricity > was sure to go, which it > did for 3 hours. > > This desert rat waited for the calm rain after the > violent downpour, and > then this desert rat walked out in the dark, in the > rain, barefoot puddle > splashing, soaking up the first rains of the season, > letting the drops dust > me off and fill me up, reaffirming that life will go > on, is going on. It > rained last night. > > > Susan Nixon > 2nd Grade > Phoenix, AZ > > _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- Lost web address, HELP From: Amy Schrader Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 21:42:24 -0400 (EDT) Someone sent a great web address last week of a teacher's website who had lots of great ideas for teaching with 6 traits including student friendly rubrics, poster ideas, etc. I think the teacher's name was Kathy who has the webpage, but for some strange reason, I can't find the address anymore. Can anyone help? Thanks Amy 8th Sumter, SC _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- Ideas - Example #3 From: Joan3teach@aol.com Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 21:43:14 EDT This student would benefit from using a graphic organizer prior to = writing. I'm not sure what the focus of the writing was: to explain why she was a vegetarian or to criticize hunters who shoot precious animals. Either topic would be good. She hasn't combined them effectively in one essay. I would use Susan's star and a wish with this piece. **** Clear = explanation on why author chose to be a vegetarian. Good opening that hooks the = reader's interest. Wish: student would re-think what she wanted to write on = which, I would think, was explaining the advantages of being a vegetarian. As written, I would give it a 3. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Assignment-Ideas #3 From: Laura Eble Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 21:44:47 -0500 Here are our thoughts about the assignment on ideas #3. Level 1: lacks a central idea, ideas extremely limited, attempts at development are minimal, lack of focus Level 2: main ideas somewhat unclear, minimal development of main idea, main idea requires extensive inferences by reader, irrelevant details, extensive repetitiion of details words that separate 1 from 2: *lacks central idea vs. main idea somewhat unclear *ideas extremely limited vs. requires extensive inferences by reader *lack of focus vs. development is attempted but minimal Level 3: easily identifiable purpose and main idea, predictable main ideas, support that is attempted, details not well grounded, trouble = moving from general to specific Level 4: clear and focused, main ideas easily understood, easily identifiable purpose, clear main ideas, supporting content and details are relevant, well chosen for audience and purpose words that separate 3 from 4: *details based on cliches, or questionable sources of informations vs. supporting details are relevant *support is attempted vs. content and selected details are relevant We feel that Levels 3 and 4 are different by degrees, like most others, = but are harder to align. And 5 and 6 are different by maybe a few words-exceptionally, strong and rich. Focusing our attention on whether the piece is stronger than weaker or weaker than stronger will be a definite help here. Laura Eble Grade 1 IL Shelley Grade 1 CA ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: 6Traits- Ideas Rubric From: AnnMath@aol.com Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 00:05:23 EDT I'd give example 3 (vegetarians) a 4. But then I'm still hung up on voice = and finding it difficult to switch gears =3D) Ann 5 Maryland ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: New web pages From: Susan Nixon <susan@desertskyone.com> Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 22:06:22 -0700 http://CyberSpaces.net/traits/ I've put up the first pages of the Voice Strategies. There are lots more to go! They aren't posted in order received. I'm trying to keep the pages about the same length. If I've misspelled your name or you see a typo, please let me know. I try to use your words, cut and pasted, whenever I can and just add the html, to cut down on time, but it isn't always possible. The html is a mess to read, and I don't always have time to read the actual page. I found two typos tonight on the main rubric for Ideas, and corrected those. Susan Nixon 2nd Grade Phoenix, AZ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: New web pages From: Susan Nixon <susan@desertskyone.com> Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 22:11:25 -0700 http://CyberSpaces.net/traits/ Oh, and I do know the graphic isn't working on the main strategies page, I just got frustrated trying to figure out why. It works fine on all the other pages! Grrr! =3D) Susan ---------------------------------------------------------------------- End of 6Traits Digest