There are many reasons why your students may struggle to write—they may have a disability like dyslexia, or they could be afraid to put the wrong words on paper. Struggling writers often use sentence fragments because they are unsure of the proper placement for nouns and verbs, so they may need help to identify parts of speech or turn fragments into complete sentences.
They may simply be unable to think of a topic. Regardless of the reason, some tried and true methods can help your students who struggle with the writing process.
Write About Real Life Experiences
Students generally find it easier to write about their personal experiences, but a simple instruction like, “Write about something that happened to you,” may still draw a blank.
To get your students thinking, ask them leading questions: Where have you been? What did you do there? Who went with you? Then try using a rolling chair to circulate the room and sit with students at their level to help them brainstorm. Help them outline their story so they realize they have something to write about.
Provide Clear Instructions for Self-Assessment
For the early stages of writing—when simply encouraging your struggling writers to put words on paper—emphasize self-expression and writing freely without stressing writing conventions. As they become more comfortable with the writing process, they transition into more concrete expectations.
Older students appreciate having a template or rubric to evaluate their work before turning it in. Not every piece of writing should be graded for all conventions; a template will let your students know what specifically they are being graded on.
Use Helpful Resources
Educators can use many valuable tools to help students practice and develop their writing skills. Shell Education’s 180 Days of Writing provides students with daily practice to help them become more confident writers. These workbooks also allow teachers to properly assess student progress and diagnose potential difficulties before they become obstacles.
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