Ruth Culham

Ruth Culham

Ruth Culham, EdD, is a pioneering researcher in the traits of writing field. Her areas of expertise include instructional strategies of the six-trait writing assessment model, primary writing assessment and instruction for grades K–2, coordinating and planning a district writing assessment, long-range planning for staff development in writing assessment, and curriculum alignment with writing standards and assessments.

Along with 19 years of teaching experience, Dr. Culham is author of Traits Writing: The Complete K–8 Program; 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide; 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Primary Grades; and Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School.

She was named 1986–87 Teacher of the Year by the Montana Association of Teachers of English and Language Arts.

Ruth earned an EdD in educational administration at the University of Asturias. She also holds an MA in English education from the University of Montana and a BA in elementary education and library science from the University of Montana.

Presentations

• Using the Traits for Writing Assessment and Instruction (K–8)
• Traits 2.0: A New Look at the Writing Classroom
• Reading Like a Writer: Using Mentor Texts to Teach Writing (K–8, K–2, 3–5, and 6–8)
• R.A.F.T.S.: Dump Dull, Uninspired Prompts Overboard
• Entering the Writing Zone: The Administrator’s View