Offering information to help parents understand how writing is taught in classrooms that use the 6-Trait Model for writing assessment and writing instruction, this handbook describes the model and how parents can provide the kind of support at home that would make classroom instruction even more effective. Sections of the handbook are: "A Quick Overview and Some Definitions"; "A Student Friendly Scoring Guide"; "A Close-Up Look at Student Writing (Before and After)"; "Tips for Parents: Things You Can Do to Help Your Young Writer"; "Responding to Your Student's Writing"; "For Student Writers: Tips on Making Your Writing Stronger"; and "Answers to Questions Parents Often Ask." A 24-item glossary of common assessment terms and a 20-item annotated list of additional resources are attached. (RS)