Filmed in 3-5 classrooms, the series showcases how to assess student work and plan instruction according to all seven traits: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Specifically, you'll see teachers in a study group assessing student work for each trait, using Ruth's analytic scoring guides. Then you'll watch them plan and implement writing lessons based on their findings. Best of all, you'll see young students take great pride as they apply the traits to their writing and watch it improve. The series also includes segments on conferring with students and dozens of tips for organizing and managing the primary writing classroom.

The 80-page Professional Study Guide contains background information on the TRAIT model, reproducible scoring guides and record-keeping tools, teacher-workshop agendas, management tips, and other materials that make the series perfect for staff development.