Using Picture Books to Teach Writing With the Traits

Reviewed by Jenna Eads

Using Picture Books to Teach Writing With the Traits by Ruth Culham is a must-have for all intermediate and secondary teachers.Ý This book not only gives a clear and concise definition of each of the 6 traits of writing, it provides the teacher with concrete, easy to use lesson plans for each trait with 20-30 additional book titles to choose from.

I have attended the 6 Traits training and workshop.Ý This book is the user-friendly, concrete guide to that program. Although not marketed together, they complimented each other perfectly.Ý After leaving the trainings, I felt excited and inspired. I had a list of books and notes scribbled furiously from the fast-paced two day training.Ý I found, however, that I could not remember all of the wonderful ideas offered to me when sitting alone in my classroom.Ý Using Picture Books to Teach Writing With the Traits will change that for me.Ý It will allow me to practically see how each picture book should be used and how best to teach each trait using books which were ìdiscovered through recommendations from teachers and students by checking award listsÖî among other various selection processes.

This book will not be a book that sits on your shelf.Ý This will be a resource you will refer to on a regular and frequent basis.Ý Whether using one of the 200 books from the annotated bibliography or to teach the 6 traits of writing or to find books that will engage students in the literary process, this book will be a very handy tool.Ý I would strongly recommend that every language arts teacher add this to their collection and endless bag of tricks.Ý