Writing is the most complex, most challenging task we as educators ask students to do. Yet, writing is the very vehicle that strengthens reading and learning in ELA and across content areas.

At Trait Writers, we support teachers through staff development, coaching, technical assistance, and more. We:

address the reciprocity of the science of reading and writing using a research-based framework, the 6+1 Trait®

Writing Model of Instruction and Assessment. NO additional program, NO boxed kit, No videos. NO big purchase - just

an explicit process to instruct and assess student writing that has been proven over 40 years.

teach the 6+1 Trait® Writing Model. The model uses a rubric-based, assessment and instruction-focused approach which is grade appropriate, aligned with standards, and employs best practice strategies and craft lessons.

build a vision of "quality writing". These characteristics, known as "the Traits", form the foundation for a common language - ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, plus presentation.

design customized, data-driven services to meet your school or district needs whether improving student learning

outcomes or helping educators address writing on a daily basis.

offer a variety of professional development, technical assistance, modeling, coaching, scoring of student papers, implementation planning, writing in content areas, and more as in-person, virtual, or as blended services.

help teachers build strong, confident writers through the reading-writing connection without adding a separate writing program.

What will educators learn and be able to do?

How to Strengthen Student Writing

Establish a common language for trait-based writing for teaching and learning, communication, goal setting, writing improvement and assessment.

Model best practice skills, strategies, and author's crafts for reading and writing.

How to Guide Students in Self-Assessment

Build student expertise in using rubrics to identify strengths and weaknesses in text.

Support students in the purpose and technique of peer and self-assessment.

How to Instruct and Model Quality Writing in ELA and Across Content Areas

Explicitly teach reading- writing skills, strategies, and authors' crafts using the common language of the Traits and models of quality writing.

Practice using writing to transfer and retrieve knowledge.

Develop a cycle of instruction for writing with the Traits.

How to Plan and Help Students Set Goals

Identify and plan intervention to address student literacy needs

Assist students in owning their writing and setting personal goals for growth.