Providing quality writing instruction for students with intellectual disabilities may seem challenging. The key is to make instruction fun and meaningful. Writing instruction should focus on composition: the expression of thoughts and ideas, and not on drilled handwriting exercises. Here are some tips to help your students enjoy writing and see themselves as writers. 1)… Read More Teaching the Write Way
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Online Professional Development
Below are some online resources to help you expand your knowledge and get a head start on earning those professional development hours that you will need. MAST (Modules Addressing Special Education & Teacher Education) These free modules are presented by the Office of Special Education Programs, the U.S. Department of Education, and East Carolina University. … Read More Online Professional Development
Sample Lesson Plans
Are you looking for some engaging lessons to help you teach specific ASOLs? The links below will allow you to search for lesson plans by ASOL or by grade level. These lesson plans have been submitted by talented teachers from around the state. The majority of the activities address ASOL standards at the elementary, middle,… Read More Sample Lesson Plans
Writing Across the Content Areas
It is important for students to have daily opportunities to write. One way to provide regular writing practice for students is to ask them to write about what they are learning during math, science, and social studies lessons. A great benefit of writing about a specific content area is that it increases comprehension. Research… Read More Writing Across the Content Areas
Meaningful Writing Prompts
Now that you are ready to teach writing skills and your students have the necessary means to write, what comes next? Richard Allington (2012) reminds us that students should be given opportunities to write about something personally meaningful every day. Let’s examine some great ideas for writing prompts that will be meaningful and interesting to… Read More Meaningful Writing Prompts
The Choice is Theirs: Allowing Students to Select Texts
Self-Selected Reading involves much more than just allowing students to quietly flip through books. You can use this time to expose students to a variety of text types and genres that they might not otherwise encounter. This could be the first step toward a lifelong love of reading. Research Comprehensive literacy instruction in your… Read More The Choice is Theirs: Allowing Students to Select Texts
Writing Opportunities: Finding Your Student’s Pencil
Before a student can become a successful writer, we must first find his ideal pencil. Many teachers make the assumption that a student without the physical ability to hold and manipulate a writing utensil is not ready for writing instruction. Many students are able to use a writing utensil such as a pencil, pen, crayon,… Read More Writing Opportunities: Finding Your Student’s Pencil
