DLC Writing Traits Grade 3
DLC Writing Traits Grade 3
Resource:
Grade 3 Student Traitbook
Write Traits Student Traitbook Grade 3, Spandel, V. and Hicks, J.
- This resource is available for purchase online in 5-packs from:
Students attending Sun West School Division schools could make a request to the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) to view or possibly make arrangements to borrow a resource.
All of the available lesson videos are linked under the writing traits headings of:
- organization
- word choice
- sentence fluency
The Writing Process
This video lesson reviews the steps in the writing process and gives an overview of the types of writing:
- Narrative
- Expository
- Descriptive
- Persuasive
The writing that the student does can be a topic of their choice and they will use the writing traits rubric to self-assess and set goals for future writing.
The following document gives:
- an overview of the 6 (+1)writing traits, including suggestions of tools to help students practice becoming more proficient with each of the traits
- a 4-point rubric for each of the traits which supports the provincial assessment system in Saskatchewan
Assessment
This resource offers:
- an overview of the 6 (+1)writing traits, including suggestions of tools to help students practice becoming more proficient with each of the traits
- a 4-point rubric for each of the traits which supports the provincial assessment system in Saskatchewan
Organization
Good organization has several parts, including:
- starting with an interesting lead
- putting information in an order that makes sense
- staying on topic
- ending with a strong conclusion
During the lessons, students will be led through samples of writing in which they think about how the author is using the trait of "organization". Then, they will be given the opportunity to practice what they have learned to make their own writing organized and effective.
Lesson videos:
Organization - Lesson 2.1 - "The Lead"
Organization - Lesson 2.2 - "Putting Things in Order"
Organization - Lesson 2.3 - "Main Idea and Staying on Topic"
Organization - Lesson 2.4 - "The Ending"
Organization - Editing Level 1 - "Conventions - Starting New Paragraphs"
Organization - Editing Level 2 - "Presentation"
Word Choice
Writing that includes good word choice is very effective because writers:
- use strong action verbs
- learn new words to include in their writing as they read
- describe using their senses
- cut clutter and don't use words that they don't need
During the lessons, students will be led through samples of writing in which they think about how the author is using the trait of "word choice". Then, they will be given the opportunity to practice what they have learned to make their own writing contain interesting and effective words.
Lesson videos:
Word Choice - Using Strong Verbs and Writing Good Paragraphs
Video with Examples of Using Strong Verbs
- Handout to accompany lesson on using strong verbs
Word Choice - Using Context Clues
Word Choice - Using Our Senses
- Handout that guides the student through the writing of a descriptive paragraph using sensory words:
Sentence Fluency
There are tricks for writing fluent sentences. They include:
- combining sentences to get rid of choppy writing
- varying sentence beginnings to make writing interesting
- getting rid of run-ons to make reading easier
- writing dialogue that sounds like real people talking
During the lessons, students will be led through samples of writing in which they think about how the author is using the trait of "sentence fluency". Then, they will be given the opportunity to practice what they have learned to make their own writing flow and be interesting for the reader.
Lesson videos:
Sentence Fluency - Introduction
Sentence Fluency - Lesson 5.1 - "Let It Flow"
Sentence Fluency - Lesson 5.2 - "Varied Sentence Beginnings"
Sentence Fluency - Lesson 5.3 - "Stop That Run-On Sentence"