Misunderstood+Minds+Writing+Qs+7&8

 AAron, Kristen, Lara
7. List and define the key problem areas you would expect a student with a learning disability to have in regards to writing.


 * Attention Problems (difficulty starting, easily distracted, careless errors, mental fatigue)
 * Spatial Ordering Problem (poor use of lines on paper, uneven letters, misspelling)
 * Sequential Ordering Problem (poor letter formation, lack of transitions, poor narrative sequencing)
 * Memory Problem (poor vocab, misspelled words, grammar errors)
 * Language Problem (poor vocab, awkward phrasing, difficulty with sentence structure, trouble reading back what is written)
 * Higher-Order Cognition Problem (trouble generating ideas, lack of opinion, hard to form letters)

8. List at least 1 strategy for each of the following components of writing instruction  a. Graphomotor


 * Help the child find the proper writing instrument

 1. Make sure the child feels a sense of control  2. Try aids like a pencil grip


 * Allow a child to print if cursive is difficult
 * Check for an optimum set up for writing

 1. Make chair and desk are a good fit <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Tape Paper to the desk


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Provide a Model
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Practice forming letters
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make note taking more manageable

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Provide partially completed outlines

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> b. Attention


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Prepare work plans

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Create a plan before beginning assignments <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Use a sketch, summary, or outline


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Emphasize key info
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Teach children to Preview

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Encourage to think ahead about the assignment and how the completed assignment will look <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. List needed materials <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 3. Consider what they will need to describe in the beginning, middle, and end


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use the PLAN Strategy

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Preview the assignment <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. List the main topics and details <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 3. Assign an order for the topics <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 4. Note ideas in complete sentences


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Help maintain mental energy

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Allow for breaks


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Help stay focused
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Help get started
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Allow to write about topics of interest

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> c. Language


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Encourage to read aloud while editing
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Practice the sequencing of ideas
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use prompts and reminders
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Provide opportunities to practice speaking
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Practice elaboration/Use visual stimuli to trigger speech

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Ask to describe <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Frame questions in a way to elicit more than one-word answers

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> d. Memory

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Automatize the rules of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Use explicit instruction to promote automatic recall of rules. Build practice into lessons. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Review skills and knowledge routinely to help children do things more automatically.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Break writing assignments into steps or stages.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Make brainstorming the first stage, drafting ideas the second stage, revision the third stage, and correcting spelling and grammar the last stage before the final draft. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Spread out the stages over time.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Generate ideas apart from writing.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Allow children to record their ideas on a planning sheet or into a tape recorder that they read or listen to later when they are ready to write.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Teach mnemonic strategies.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. To track progress, have them record each time they find a particular error. Graph their results.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> e. Higher-Order Cognition

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Use graphic organizers to organize ideas.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Encourage children to map out what they want to say before they begin writing. Have them number their ideas in order of presentation. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Suggest that children diagram or draw their ideas before starting to write.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Encourage children to use brainstorming before starting an assignment.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Start the brainstorming process with something of interest to the child. Allow the child to brainstorm in any way he prefers.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Use sentence starters to trigger thoughts.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Reduce the number of start-up tasks required for a written assignment.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Parents can make the work more manageable by helping the child set up a neat workspace for homework.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> f. Production

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Use assignment books.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Teach children to use assignment books and "To Do" lists to keep track of their short- and long-term assignments, tests, and quizzes. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Use peers to help monitor other children's assignment books. Schools should have "homework hotline" on voicemail or homework posted on a Web site to assist students before they are able to record independently.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Provide models of assignments and criteria for success.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Give children a clear sense of how a final product might look by showing examples and sharing exemplary products (e.g., essays or drawings).

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Build in planning time.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1.Give children five minutes of planning time before beginning an assignment. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Provide guidance in effective planning when necessary.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Encourage self-evaluation.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Set a standard of work quality or criteria for success, and allow students to assess the quality of their work before turning it in. If the final grade matches the student's appraisal, give extra points for accurate self-assessment. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. A common method for self-assessment and grading the same assignment is a rubric, which lists expectations.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> *Set goals and record progress.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Have children set a short-term goal, such as completing all homework for the week. Record the daily progress toward the goal so the children can observe their progress. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Graphic recording, such as plotting their own line graphs, may be particularly reinforcing for some children. Reward improvement at home.