Writing Accommodations
For the Writing Process
Writing can be challenging for some students. There are many ways to help students complete the writing task by adding modifications and accommodations. They can make a difference with some students!
In my experience as a special education teacher, most students are not a fan of writing! It’s usually either too abstract for them, finding a topic, or organization.
However, there are some modifications and accommodations you can put in place to help struggling writers.
In this blog post, you will find some of the most common modifications & accommodations for students during the writing process.
Don’t forget to check out the pervious step in the writing process Writing Process – Final Draft.
Presentation Accommodations
- Modify the Assignment
- The students will keep the same topic or assignment, but have the amount they need to write reduced. For example, instead of three paragraphs, the students can write one.
- Graphic Organizers
- Use graphic organizers throughout the writing process: brainstorming, prewriting, idea webs, paragraph webs, there are endless amounts!
- Often during pre-writing, gathering ideas, I will write this portion for the students, but will require them to write it themselves later on
- Paper
- Some students will need their writing paper modified. Do they need bigger lines or special writing paper? The building Occupational Therapist can assist you.
- Writing Tools
- Students may benefit from a pencil grip, smaller pencil, writing with a special pen, or slant board. The building Occupational Therapist can assist you.
- Writing Options
- Provide students with the option to write on paper, type, or use speech to text.
- I will create many of my graphic organizers in either Google Doc or Google Slides to support students.
- If students see an Occupational Therapist, ask the OT for resources. The student(s) may have fine motor difficulties.
- Editing
- Self-Edit Checklists will give the students something concrete to look for when looking over their rough draft. These are easily customizable for each student
Responce Accommodations
- Scribing
- Some students may benefit from someone scribing for a portion or all of the writing process. Usually, I will scribe for the students prewriting graphic organizer, but they will write or type the rough draft.
- As mentioned before, you can also upload graphic organizers on Google slides or use tables to create boxes in Google Docs.
- Speech-to-Text
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- Some students may benefit from using the speech-to-text tool. Students will need a quiet environment as it will pick out classroom noise. Students will also need to learn to speak slowly and clearly.
Setting Accommodations
- Groups
- Allow students to work in small groups, pairs or groups for generating ideas. Sometimes the idea is the hardest part
- Teacher Support Table
- Allow students to sit in a small group with a teacher for more support.
- Also a good place to scribe for students who need it. If I have a few students who need scribing, I will:
- See if they can use speech-to-text
- Alternate with students, I write one, you write one
- Flexible Seating
- wiggle stool, cushion, bean bag cushion, standing table, lap desk, etc.
- Peer Editing
- Give students a Peer Editing Sheet to help guide the peer editing process. You can also provide reluctant writers with a list of possible suggestions to give their peers.
- Unit Supports
- Include key words and phrases to students to go along with the writing unit. This not only helps the writing process, but the key words can generate ideas during prewriting.
Next Steps:
- Do you use any accommodations that I didn’t mention? Leave me a comment to tell me about it!
- Look at your own writing process, what can you add for support or to increase student engagement?
- This graphic organizer resource supports writing units. There are a ton of graphic organizers for a variety of writing units as well as spelling and editing resources.
- Check out my blog posts about the writing process. Writing Process – Final Draft
- Check out Educational Websites for writing supports.
- Don’t forget to check out my email list for freebies!
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