Six Traits of Writing Mini Lessons | Grades K–1 | Narrative, Informational & Opinion Writing

Looking for ready-to-teach writing lessons for your Kindergarten or First Grade classroom? This resource includes 18 Six Traits of Writing mini lessons designed specifically for Grades K–1 and covers Narrative, Informational, and Persuasive/Opinion Writing.

These 10–15 minute teacher-led writing mini lessons teach the Six Traits of Writing: Ideas, Organization, Voice, Sentence Fluency, Word Choice, and Conventions, through engaging mentor texts, explicit instruction, and active student participation. Perfect for whole-group instruction, small-group lessons, intervention, and writing conferences.

Some of these lessons were developed to support teachers in teaching the Six Traits using mentor texts and instructional strategies 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.

Why Teachers Love This Resource

✔ 18 ready-to-teach writing mini lessons

✔ Grades K–1 lesson plans

✔ Narrative, Informational & Persuasive/Opinion Writing

✔ Six Traits of Writing instruction

✔ Mentor text integration

✔ Teacher scripts included

✔ Active student engagement

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

Each lesson includes:

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

Some active engagement activities may extend across multiple writing sessions, allowing additional time for conferring with students and meeting individual learning needs.

What’s Included:

✔ 18 ready-to-teach writing mini lessons

✔ Teacher scripts for every lesson

✔ Mentor text recommendations

✔ Mentor text lists

✔ Included passages and supplemental materials (where needed)

Narrative Writing Lessons

• Ideas: Choosing a Topic
• Organization: Using Sequence and Transition Words
• Voice: Connecting to Your Audience
• Sentence Fluency: Breaking the “Rules” to Create Fluency
• Word Choice: Selecting Striking Words and Phrases
• Conventions: Checking Spelling

Informational Writing Lessons

• Ideas: Sparking Ideas
• Organization: Ending with a Sense of Closure
• Voice: Creating Voice
• Sentence Fluency: Breaking the “Rules” to Create Fluency
• Word Choice: Using Creative Words and Phrases
• Conventions: Checking Spelling

Persuasive/Opinion Writing Lessons

• Ideas: Focusing the Topic
• Organization: Using Sequence & Transition Words
• Voice: Conveying the Purpose
• Sentence Fluency: Breaking the “Rules” to Create Fluency
• Word Choice: Using Creative Words and Phrases
• Conventions: Inserting Capitalization

Terms of Use

Purchasing this resource grants permission for use by one teacher in one classroom. If you intend to share this resource with colleagues, please purchase an additional license for each user.

This is a digital download (PDF).