Writing+Strategies

= Writing Strategies = Writing is a curricular area where even students without disabilities struggle. Sometimes there is a motor issue that causes difficulty in simply holding the pen or pencil. At other times it is the writing process involving prewriting, drafting, revising, proofing and publishing. When the writing process is daunting to students without emotional and behavioral disorders, and we factor in the frustration of having to rewrite something that you just struggled to get down on paper in the first place, one can see why a student with emotional and behavioral disorders might tantrum, lash out or just simply refuse. Depending on the age and needs of the students, there are a variety of No-tech to High-tech tools and strategies to consider. The tools and strategies for writing are divided into motor and process areas as they present very different needs for students. When the problem appears to be motor issues, include the occupational therapist (OT) in assessment and decision making. The OT brings unique skills and knowledge to motor difficulties.

No Tech Tools and Strategies

 * __Motor Difficulties__**
 * **Abbreviations** for writing notes - the student can develop a repertoire of abbreviations (like b/c for because) A "cheat sheet" can be placed on the student's desk.
 * The student can **dictate** some assignments or test responses to a 'scribe.' Train the 'scribe' to write what the student says verbatim and then allow the student to make changes without assistance from the 'scribe.' This is good for younger children but work towards more independence using computers and software for additional support. Scribing should not be an accommodation for a child in middle and high school.
 * Look at the student's **positioning** which may be affecting motor tasks


 * __Process Difficulties__**
 * Allow **sufficient time** for writing instruction, which includes well-designed and sequenced writing activities
 * **Self talk** can provide valuable auditory feedback to the student. Encourage the student to talk aloud as they write.
 * **Dictation** can also be used to address the process of writing. If someone else is the scribe for the student's thoughts and ideas, then there is less stress and anxiety for him or her in participating in writing activities. Again, use scribing with caution for students in middle school and high school.
 * Create a **social climate** for writing with frequent student and teacher sharing and collaborating, as well as highly visible published results (newsletters, bulletin boards, class or team books shared in the school library or other classrooms, etc.
 * The teacher should use frequent opportunities to **model** the writing process and use **think alouds**

Lite Tech Tools and Strategies

 * __Motor Difficulties__**
 * **Magnetic letters, words, and numbers**
 * use to complete assignments and answer questions - This is especially critical if the student is not yet ready to write or keyboard, but can read whole words and create sentences if not hampered by the need to “write.” Beacon Ridge and Magnetic Poetryare two common sources.
 * **Writing paper**can make a difference for some students. Raised line writing paper gives tactile feedback, graph paper provides visual feedback for letter and number placement, higher bond (greater than 20 pound bond) does not rip easily when erased and can decrease frustration, colored paper can reduce glare and provide a sensory 'calmness' for some.
 * Google "graph paper" or "lined paper" for free templates and downloads
 * Wikki Stixof course!
 * **Drawing boxes on an answer line** helps students to know where and how big to write. Simple lines are often too ambiguous for some students.
 * Have a **variety of writing tools**available so that students can choose what works best. Try
 * markers with both wide and narrow tips
 * markers, pens and pencils with both narrow and wide grips
 * pencils with softer and harder 'lead' to provide different sensory feedback
 * pens with different tips to provide different sensroy feedback (rollerball, ballpoint, felt,etc.)
 * writing tools in a variety of colored inks
 * Have a variety of **writing grips** that can be added to pens and pencils to encourage an efficient grasp
 * **Alternate writing surfaces**may increase the willingness of students to write
 * sand or shaving cream on a cookie sheet
 * hair gel (Dep) in a sealed baggie
 * Magna Doodle
 * dry erase boards (come in a variety of colors and sizes)
 * make your own using white or dry erase Contact™ paper[[image:atconsiderations-asd/slant_board.jpg align="right" caption="slant_board.jpg"]]
 * slant boards
 * make one out of a 1"-, 2"- or 3"-inch binder. You can cover the binder with bulletin board paper or use a bulldog clip or other large paper clip to secure paper to the binder
 * **Prewritten words and phrases** enable the student to produce written work without having to have the necessary motor skills to adequately do so in a traditional paper and pencil manner. The student places the words or phrases in sentences and paragraphs. This can be accomplished using adhesive backed labels, magnetic labels or strips or Velcro™. The student can arrange the magnetic words on a metal surface and those backed with Velcro™ on a carpet square or felt board.


 * __Process Difficulties__**
 * Use **graphic organizers -**whether it is a simple outline that a student can use to write their essay or a more elaborate spider web, they provide a level of visual support that many students require. The following websites offer more information and printable graphic organizers.
 * [] - a rich resource for learning about graphic organizers, offering links, lists of references, and books about graphic organizers; information about using graphic organizers for writing, guidelines for designing graphic organizers and assisting students in designing them, and samples of student work with graphic organizers.
 * [] - information on a variety of graphic organizers, concept maps, diagrams, and charts. For each item there is a definition, description of how it works, and examples.
 * [] - lists 20 different graphic organizers and describe their use in the context of 8 activities: analyzing, brainstorming, comparing and contrasting, evaluating, hypothesizing, interacting, sequencing, and visualizing. The descriptions include visual examples.
 * [] - constructed by a 7th and 9th grade teacher, this site showcases more than 30 of her students' fantastic graphic organizer creations. The graphic organizers, which are grouped into 8 major types, colorfully illustrate not only the range of effective learning contexts for using graphic organizers but also the ways in which graphic organizers support student creativity.
 * [] - the graphic organizers section of EdTech Online offers a variety of practical resources for teachers. These include a description of 3 basic ways to create graphic organizers, ideas and examples from teachers for using graphic organizers in specific learning contexts (including lesson plans), and links to other web sites.
 * [] - web site about the 4 Blocks literacy framework provides overviews and links to examples and directions for some common graphic organizers.

Mid Tech Tools and Strategies
__**Motor Difficulties**__
 * Have students **dictate** their ideas into a tape recorder or other recording device and then listen to their ideas and write them down later
 * Use an old **electric typewriter**
 * **Label makers** are a low cost alternative for those students who still find the formation of letters difficult but are at a level where they are required or want to write. An electronic label maker allows the student to type in answers and print, peel and stick them to worksheets, workbooks, etc. Label makers come in a variety of sizes with features including size of keys, memory, different fonts, font sizes, tape sizes and automatic or manual cutting
 * Have students use a **portable word processor** such as the NEO2, Fusion or CalcuScribe, to take notes or complete written assignments


 * __Process Difficulties__**
 * **Handheld spelling devices** - these were already presented in the section on Mid Tech Tools and Stategies for Reading but deserve and additional mention in writing.

High Tech Tools and Strategies

 * __Motor Difficulties__**
 * **On screen keyboard**
 * part of the operating systems for both Macintosh and PC computers (free)
 * create on screen keyboards with Intellitoolsor Clicker 5 programs
 * WiViK is an onscreen or virtual keyboard that is fully customizable and comes with Word Q, a word prediction program ($)
 * R J Cooperhas another customizable on screen keyboard ($)
 * Click-N-Type is a free on screen keyboard from LakeFolks. It is not only a virtual keyboard but the program has word prediction and word completion to support beginning or struggling writers (free)
 * [[image:newdasher.gif align="left" link="@http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/"]]Dasher is a wild and crazy interface for onscreen keyboarding but it just may be the interface that your student needs (free)
 * [[image:newdasher.gif align="left" link="@http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/"]]Dasher is a wild and crazy interface for onscreen keyboarding but it just may be the interface that your student needs (free)
 * [[image:newdasher.gif align="left" link="@http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/"]]Dasher is a wild and crazy interface for onscreen keyboarding but it just may be the interface that your student needs (free)


 * **Microsoft Word**has many options for reducing the physical load on students with fine motor difficulties.
 * www.microsoft.com/enable/This link will take you to their website for additional information.
 * auto correct option for reducing keystrokes
 * creating a worksheet in forms with drop down choices or fillable blank
 * using the voice recording capabilities for a student to verbally respond to questions
 * Any **computer-based word processing program** allows the student to produce a rough draft that can be revised and later evaluated without extra typing
 * **Text-to-speech** (TTS) and **word prediction**have been linked to improvements in students’ reading and writing skills [Better reading fluency (Dawson, Venn & Gunther, 2000), Improved comprehension (Elbro, Rasmussen & Spelling, 1996; Elkind, 1998; Higgins & Raskind, 1997 and 2005; Montali & Lewandowski, 1996), Faster reading speed (Elkind, Black & Murray, 1996), Increased vocabulary (Herbert & Murdock, 1994), Enhanced writing skills (Borgh & Dickson, 1992; Williams, 2002), Improved spelling and legibility (MacArthur, 1998 and 1999)]
 * A **talking word processor (or text-to-speech)** (Write:Outloud, Intellitalk, Read & Write Gold, etc.) allows the student to hear what they type. These software programs allow the user to change the voice, rate of speech, and background and font colors, They have built-in dictionaries that are speech-enabled and allow for spelling options for the weakest speller. (See High Tech Tools and Strategies in Readingfor a complete list)
 * Free talking word processors (remember that as Free programs they are WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
 * NaturalReader
 * ReadPlease
 * A **word prediction program** (Word Q, Aurora, Co:Writer, etc.) offers added support for poor spelling and sentence formation. Once the student has become accustomed to using such a program, his/her writing will be produced much faster and, of course, much more legible than handwriting.
 * Free programs
 * Dkey works in a similar way to 'predictive text' on your mobile phone. It is designed to allow quicker text input for people with physical disabilities who can use a keyboard with a small number of keys, for example a number pad keyboard. It can also be used with mouse input, or with switch input via other software. It is designed with people with disabilities in mind, but could be used by anyone.
 * Turbo Type is a word prediction software that will work with virtually all text editors and most [[image:turbo_type_in_action.gif width="194" height="90" align="right" caption="Turbo Type"]]programs that allow text input. It may be purchased for $20 but there is also a FREE download.
 * For students where dictation is a good alternative, try **voice recognition**.
 * Voice recognition is in the VISTA operating system.
 * If you use XP, Microsoft Office 2000 or higher supports voice recognition. Directions here
 * Commercial products include Dragon Naturally Speaking.
 * ritePen is an advanced handwriting recognition software for Microsoft Windows-based pen-enabled computers. Users of ritePen can write anywhere on their screen or other input surface and have their handwriting instantly converted to text for use in any Windows application, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and numerous others. ritePen is a seamless extension of normal writing because it **accurately recognizes virtually any handwriting style**, does not require learning or training, and allows you to write in whole sentences, while automatically segmenting your handwriting into words and lines.

__**Process Difficulties**__
 * **Online tutorials**- if a student needs additional practice or teaching, the web offers a non-threatening environment for many students with emotional and behavioral disorders.
 * Great Sourceis a website that offers tools for teachers as well as students. If a student needs assistance with narrative writing, for example, Great Source has online tutorials and forms to assist with the process.
 * Larry Ferlazzohas a blog with his top 10 writing instruction and reinforcement websites. Check them out.
 * **Graphic organizers**- interactive websites
 * ReadWriteThink has some great online interactive writing tools (free)
 * [] - 7 graphic organizer generators, tools that enable you to make customized graphic organizers. Users fill out a simple online form and are instantly provided with an individualized graphic organizer that can be printed and/or saved for later use. (free)
 * Mindmeisteroffers free basic access for mindmapping and collaboration. Most of the site is for cost ($)
 * Mywebspiration is made available by the folks who sell Inspiration as a Beta project. This means that access now is free with registration while they study who uses it and how and work out any bugs in the system. Sometimes, Beta sites allow preregistered users to continue with free use when they start charging a fee. No promises (free right now)
 * bubbl.usis another online mindmapping and collaboration site. Registration is required (free)
 * Writing Funis an interactive site that might appeal to younger students
 * Mindomo is another site that offers a free access to their basic interactive tool and more features are for a subscription fee
 * Exploratree has thinking guides and more (definitely worth exploring) (free)
 * Dabbleboardis a freehand graphic organizer and visual whiteboard that is fun and easy to use (free)
 * Zoho Writeris more of a word processor application but there are templates available for use (free)
 * ThinkatureDraw diagrams to illustrate complex ideas
 * [|Gliffy] Create and share diagrams on the Web
 * Great Source's iwrite website has tools for teacher, parents and students
 * **Graphic organizers**- software
 * Microsoft Word has outlining capabilities and you can create writing templates for students
 * Inspiration and Kidspiration by Inspiration offered the first concept mapping software used by students with disabilities ($)
 * Draft:Builder by Don Johnstonis an interactive program that breaks down the writing process into three manageable steps: brainstorming, note-taking and writing the first draft. It is compatible with the other Don Johnston writing products such as Co:Writer and Write:Outloud packaged as Solo. ($)
 * Writer's Companionis software that allows students to brainstorm, organize, sequence, edit and publish in one package. It is available in English and Spanish. You can download a trial copy here. ($)
 * Freemindand Belvedere are completely free software programs from the good folks at SourceForge who create incredibly good free programs for use by folks with disabilities (free)
 * Cmap is from the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) which is a not-for-profit research institute of the Florida University System and is affiliated with several Florida universities. This one is a bit difficult to use (free)
 * **Spelling tools**
 * **Spell check** is already available in Microsoft Office Word (Free)
 * Ginger has: contextual spell & grammar checker, full-sentence correction, misused words correction, text-to-speech, and progress reports. They also offer a 14-day trial download. ($)
 * **Free online tools include**
 * Spellchecker
 * Ghotit offers phonetic spelling assistance! It can be used via the web or a plug-in can be downloaded to Internet Explorer
 * The Educational Technology Department at Mesa Public School offer a free box word fontto help students spell word through shape recognition
 * Spelling Cityhas free resources and games for spelling primarily aimed at elementary students
 * Wordsmyth offers online spelling as well as a plug-in toolbar for Internet Explorer
 * Design 215offers a free online spell checker
 * **Miscellaneous Writing Tools**
 * Citation Machineis headache relief on the web! Simply click on the type of citation required (MLA, APA Turabian, Chicago,) enter information from your source, and information in the documentation the field and click to generate the citation; copy and paste into your document.
 * [|Bib Me] - Bibliography Maker
 * [|EasyBib] - Bibliography Composer
 * [|Research & Documentation Online] Download sample papers (MLA & APA styles) with Hacker & Fister's well-known guide
 * [|NoodleBib MLA Starter]
 * **NoteStar** is an Internet utility to assist in the preparation of research papers. Teachers and students can set up research projects with topics and sub-topics. Students may then take advantage of NoteStar's many features to collect and organize their notes and prepare their bibliography page.
 * **Academic Games**
 * Tutpup is for the younger crowd