RUTH CULHAM, Ed.D.,launched a writing revolution with the publication of her book 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide, Grades 3 and Up, followed by 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades and Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School, winner of the 2011 Teacher’s Choice Award.
Her groundbreaking work with the writing traits is the culmination of 40 years of research, practice, and passion. Ruth has published the bestselling The Writing Thief: Using Mentor Texts to Teach the Craft of Writing that demonstrates how to read with a writer’s eye to lift the best writing techniques from favorite authors. Ruth has also penned Dream Wakers: Mentor Texts That Celebrate Latino Culture to support the reading and writing relationship using high-quality, diverse texts. Ruth’s professional books have illuminated both writing traits and the reading-writing connection for countless educators around the globe.
Her many professional resources include the immensely popular, grade-specific Trait Crates that use beautiful children’s literature titles to spotlight and teach each writing trait and drive home the reading-writing connection.
Ruth’s ground-breaking Teach Writing Well, her newest and most thorough professional text enhances teachers’ professional understanding of teaching writing by unlocking the secrets of revision in its two-part approach: Read the Writing-Teach the Writer.
In Spring 2021 Ruth’s latest project will be available from Scholastic: Mode Crates K - 5 (or they many have a much better name by the time they are finished). Think Trait Crates but the books and lessons focus on how to teach narrative, informational, and opinion writing.
Ruth is a contributor to The Reading Teacher and Educational Leadership. She travels extensively delivering highly energetic and well-received workshops and keynotes. Ruth was English Teacher of the Year in Montana, one of the highlights of her 19-year teaching career. She holds specialty degrees in Library Science and Elementary, Middle, and Secondary English Education.
