Back To School Writing
I'm a homeschooling mom to a fifteen year old boy on the Autistic Spectrum. As we step off into a new school year, we face one of our most fearsome fire-breathing dragons --- the writing process. I know we aren't alone in this struggle because many of our friends wrestle with the same beast.
I've been researching and picking brains over the last several days, so many of my upcoming writing posts will center on the reluctant writer. Every student is different. What works for one, may not work for another. I'm stepping up the writing instruction game with my son this year, and I'll share with you what works and doesn't work for us. I hope many of you will share your ideas and experience as well.
This Austism Asperger's Digest article PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME WRITE lists several ideas to address a variety of concerns.
Today, I'd like to focus on writing prompts. Many of us can remember having to write What I Did Over Summer Vacation essays. As Kathy Oehler's article states, open-ended writing topics can be overwhelming for students on the spectrum and other reluctant writers. Since getting back in the groove can be difficult for all students, why not try some of these suggestions with the whole class.
Using pictures as prompts helps a lot of kids who struggle coming up with ideas on an abstract topic. They can write about what they see, or the picture might jog their memories about a personal experience. Comic strips also make good writing prompts. Students can either expand on the words in the comic strip or come up with another story based on the drawings in each frame.
A lot of standard writing prompts are about social situations or emotions. Tell about a time you had fun with your friends. Describe an embarrassing situation. Write about a difficult decision you had to make. For many on the Autistic Spectrum, identifying and talking about emotions or personal situations is difficult. Add in the frustration that comes with fine motor difficulties and organizing thoughts, and writing is a nightmare. It's too much to process all at one time.
Try another approach by distributing pictures of different summer scenes and have students list the sights, sounds, and smells they might encounter in each one. List or show pictures of favorite summer foods, and ask students to either write a recipe or describe the food. Show a photo of summer and another season. Direct the students to make a list of differences and similarities between the two seasons.
Make research more relevant by tying it into seasonal topics. Have students research which flowers or vegetables grow best in fall and summer. Ask them to describe how leaves turn color. Individual or small group projects could center around how summer is different in other states or countries.
Think outside the box when it comes to writing assignments, and your children will be more excited about exploring new possibilities as well.
Note: It is super easy to leave an anonymous comment on these blog posts if you are not a Live Journal member. It's always helpful and delightful if you tell me a little bit about yourself, a first name, initials, if I know you from somewhere, or your connection to kids and language arts.
Thank you for reading.
I've been researching and picking brains over the last several days, so many of my upcoming writing posts will center on the reluctant writer. Every student is different. What works for one, may not work for another. I'm stepping up the writing instruction game with my son this year, and I'll share with you what works and doesn't work for us. I hope many of you will share your ideas and experience as well.
This Austism Asperger's Digest article PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME WRITE lists several ideas to address a variety of concerns.
Today, I'd like to focus on writing prompts. Many of us can remember having to write What I Did Over Summer Vacation essays. As Kathy Oehler's article states, open-ended writing topics can be overwhelming for students on the spectrum and other reluctant writers. Since getting back in the groove can be difficult for all students, why not try some of these suggestions with the whole class.
Using pictures as prompts helps a lot of kids who struggle coming up with ideas on an abstract topic. They can write about what they see, or the picture might jog their memories about a personal experience. Comic strips also make good writing prompts. Students can either expand on the words in the comic strip or come up with another story based on the drawings in each frame.
A lot of standard writing prompts are about social situations or emotions. Tell about a time you had fun with your friends. Describe an embarrassing situation. Write about a difficult decision you had to make. For many on the Autistic Spectrum, identifying and talking about emotions or personal situations is difficult. Add in the frustration that comes with fine motor difficulties and organizing thoughts, and writing is a nightmare. It's too much to process all at one time.
Try another approach by distributing pictures of different summer scenes and have students list the sights, sounds, and smells they might encounter in each one. List or show pictures of favorite summer foods, and ask students to either write a recipe or describe the food. Show a photo of summer and another season. Direct the students to make a list of differences and similarities between the two seasons.
Make research more relevant by tying it into seasonal topics. Have students research which flowers or vegetables grow best in fall and summer. Ask them to describe how leaves turn color. Individual or small group projects could center around how summer is different in other states or countries.
Think outside the box when it comes to writing assignments, and your children will be more excited about exploring new possibilities as well.
Note: It is super easy to leave an anonymous comment on these blog posts if you are not a Live Journal member. It's always helpful and delightful if you tell me a little bit about yourself, a first name, initials, if I know you from somewhere, or your connection to kids and language arts.
Thank you for reading.