dear friends…
Yes, I’m retired.
I’m closing up the CulhamWriting.com website. It wasn’t an easy decision, but after 50 years in education, it’s time.
What a glorious ride it's been! It has been an incredible joy meeting you, working with you, and helping move writing instruction in a positive direction.
If you want or need help with future projects, please contact my associate Libby Jachles.
And of course, books and resource materials are available at Amazon and as effective as ever!
My best to each and every one of you. Ruth
background
We’re a dedicated and experienced team of educators who know how to teach writing using the traits of writing model, inside and out. We’ve been working with the traits as an assessment model and as a powerful instructional tool since the beginning—over 30 years now. This says a lot about the efficacy of the model—30 years is a long time for an educational initiative to survive and thrive. We’d love to show you why it works so well for writers at every age.
In the mid 1980's, a forward thinking and experienced group of teachers examined stacks and stacks of student papers with a common purpose. They wanted to identify the core qualities of great writing and describe the skills required to achieve excellence.
As the national and international leaders in this ever-evolving process, we have worked hard to advance and refine the work, developing the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing over time – a shared language that demystifies great writing and provides an excellent foundation for teaching writing and assessing student progress.
Our partnership with Scholastic and Stenhouse provides unique opportunities to publish a complete line of trait-based materials designed especially to suit the needs of teachers working with students to improve writing performance.
WHO WE ARE
Ruth Culham
RUTH CULHAM
You never know what's brewing next with Ruth Culham. She's either on a plane traveling to present her latest thinking about how to use the six-trait model for assessment and instruction, or at home creating new Scholastic and Stenhouse resources for writing teachers.
Ruth spent 19 years in the classroom, the highlight of which was being named Montana's English/Language Arts teacher of the year. She worked as Unit Manager for the Assessment Program at Education Northwest. She finished her doctorate. She wrote her first book: 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Grades 3 and Up. And the rest is history.
But there is always more - in her heart and on her mind. Her connections to teachers and students keep the work fresh. Her home office keeps her comfortable. Her friends keep her in wine. Her cats keep her company. Life is pretty good. Click here to read more about Ruth.
Libby Jachles
LIBBY JACHLES
As a former classroom teacher and retired literacy coach in the Brighton School District in Rochester, NY, Libby and Ruth have worked together closely for more than 20 years talking about new work, teacher needs and wants, and the most effective ways to teach writing every day.
She specializes in training and coaching classroom teachers on teaching writing using the traits and modes. She’s presented to, and supported teachers both nationally and internationally. Libby knows books, she knows kids, she knows teachers, and she likes to put her knowledge of all three together in her presentations.
At home, a golden retriever named Winnie and friends who keep her in good wine make her days rich and wonderful. Email Libby Jachles.