Six Traits of Writing Bundle | 54 Writing Mini Lessons | Grades K–5

Looking for a complete set of writing mini-lessons to teach the Six Traits of Writing for your elementary classroom? This bundle of 54 differentiated writing mini lessons provides everything you need to teach the Six Traits of Writing across three writing genres: Narrative, Informational, and Persuasive/Opinion Writing.

Designed for grades K–5, these ready-to-teach 10–15 minute writing lessons use engaging mentor texts, explicit instruction, and active student engagement to strengthen students’ writing skills in Ideas, Organization, Voice, Sentence Fluency, Word Choice, and Conventions.

These lessons were developed to support teachers in teaching the Six Traits using mentor texts and lesson ideas inspired by The Writing Thief by Ruth Culham, a trait-based approach to teaching and assessing writing. All ideas and referenced language from The Writing Thief are clearly cited within the resource.

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Why Teachers Love This Bundle

✔ 54 differentiated writing mini lessons

✔ 18 lessons in each writing genre

• Narrative Writing
• Informational Writing
• Persuasive/Opinion Writing

✔ Ready-to-teach 10–15 minute lessons

✔ Grades K–5 differentiation

✔ Six Traits of Writing instruction

✔ Mentor text integration

✔ Teacher scripts included

✔ Active student engagement

✔ Perfect for whole-group instruction, small groups, intervention, and enrichment

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Perfect for any writing block!

Each lesson includes:

• 10–15 minute teacher-led mini lesson (“I Do”)
• Active student engagement (“You Do”)
• Independent writing
• Opportunities for writing conferences and small-group instruction

Some active engagement activities may extend across multiple Writer’s Workshop sessions, providing additional opportunities for conferring with students and meeting the needs of small groups.

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Differentiated for Grades K–5

Each writing genre includes 18 differentiated mini lessons for:

• Grades K–1
• Grades 2–3
• Grades 4–5

Teach the on-grade-level lesson during whole-group instruction, use the above-grade-level lesson to enrich or accelerate learning, and use the below-grade-level lesson to support struggling readers and writers during small-group instruction.

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What’s Included:

Mentor Text List

A complete list of mentor texts (read alouds) needed for every lesson is included. Most books can be borrowed from your school or public library. Some mini lessons require specific passages, which are included in the resource. See the preview for the complete mentor text list.

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54 Writing Mini Lessons Informational Writing (18 Lessons)

Ideas

• Grades K–1: Sparking Ideas
• Grades 2–3: Getting Focused
• Grades 4–5: Choosing a Topic

Organization

• Grades K–1: Ending with a Sense of Closure
• Grades 2–3: Creating the Lead
• Grades 4–5: Developing the Body

Voice

• Grades K–1: Taking Risks to Create Voice
• Grades 2–3: Establishing a Tone
• Grades 4–5: Conveying the Purpose

Sentence Fluency

• Grades K–1: Breaking the “Rules” to Create Fluency
• Grades 2–3: Crafting Well-Built Sentences
• Grades 4–5: Varying Sentence Patterns

Word Choice

• Grades K–1: Using Creative Words and Phrases
• Grades 2–3: Using Language Effectively
• Grades 4–5: Using Strong Action Words

Conventions

• Grades K–1: Checking Spelling
• Grades 2–3: Using Commas Correctly
• Grades 4–5: Using Capitalization Correctly

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Narrative Writing (18 Lessons)

Ideas

• Grades K–1: Choosing a Topic
• Grades 2–3: Getting Focused
• Grades 4–5: Choosing a Topic

Organization

• Grades K–1: Using Sequence and Transition Words
• Grades 2–3: Developing the Body
• Grades 4–5: Providing a Sense of Closure

Voice

• Grades K–1: Connecting to Your Audience
• Grades 2–3: Taking Risks to Create Voice
• Grades 4–5: Conveying the Purpose

Sentence Fluency

• Grades K–1: Breaking the “Rules” to Create Fluency
• Grades 2–3: Crafting Well-Built Sentences
• Grades 4–5: Varying Sentence Patterns

Word Choice

• Grades K–1: Selecting Striking Words and Phrases
• Grades 2–3: Using Strong Verbs
• Grades 4–5: Using Specific & Accurate Words

Conventions

• Grades K–1: Checking Spelling
• Grades 2–3: Using Exclamation Marks Correctly
• Grades 4–5: Using Capitalization Correctly

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Persuasive/Opinion Writing (18 Lessons)

Ideas

• Grades K–1: Focusing the Topic
• Grades 2–3: Using Details
• Grades 4–5: Developing the Topic

Organization

• Grades K–1: Using Sequence & Transition Words
• Grades 2–3: Creating the Lead
• Grades 4–5: Ending with a Sense of Resolution

Voice

• Grades K–1: Conveying the Purpose
• Grades 2–3: Establishing a Tone
• Grades 4–5: Creating a Connection to the Audience

Sentence Fluency

• Grades K–1: Breaking the “Rules” to Create Fluency
• Grades 2–3: Varying Sentence Patterns
• Grades 4–5: Capturing Smooth & Rhythmic Flow

Word Choice

• Grades K–1: Using Creative Words and Phrases
• Grades 2–3: Using Language Effectively
• Grades 4–5: Using Strong Verbs

Conventions

• Grades K–1: Inserting Capitalization
• Grades 2–3: Using Parts of Speech
• Grades 4–5: Checking Spelling

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Perfect For

• Six Traits of Writing
• Narrative Writing
• Informational Writing
• Persuasive Writing
• Opinion Writing
• Elementary Writing Curriculum
• Writing Units
• Writing Centers
• Mentor Text Lessons
• Whole Group Instruction
• Small Group Instruction
• Writing Intervention
• Writing Enrichment
• Grades K–5 Classrooms

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This is a digital resource (PDF).