Quick Writing Tips for Younger Students

Use Graphic Organizers consistently

 Graphic organizers are simple tools that can help kids who normally have trouble with writing. It helps students organize their thoughts and breaks the writing into smaller pieces.  Graphic organizers are meant for jotting down ideas and not the full writing piece.

Teach the Writing Process

When using the writing process, students will be able to break writing into manageable chunks. Guiding students through the writing process helps them to think about each step of their writing.  They will be able to understand how skipping any step will lead to a less polished piece of writing.

Brainstorm using graphic organizers to connect ideas and structure for a writing piece. Have young students engage in whole-class brainstorming. Their brainstorm can consist of drawing pictures as well.   

Students will work independently when writing their Rough Draft. I would also suggest having your students skip lines when writing the draft.   This will help leave space for revising the piece. Another suggestion is to let students know that it’s okay to cross out and not erase writing on the rough draft.  This helps avoid frustration when mistakes are made.    

Show students the difference between revising and editing because they are different aspects of the process.  Revision is where students add details to make their writing better where editing is correcting any conventions in the writing.

  Let your students collaborate with their classmates to help develop language proficiency.  Let students have a choice in how they publish their final piece of writing. 

Here is a set of posters you can use in your classroom to help teach the 

Writing Process.  

Accept Invented Spelling

 Children show that they know their letter sounds by using invented spelling. Allowing children to use invented spelling lets them concentrate on communicating their ideas. I know many teachers are frustrated when students misspell words but invented spelling is a necessary phase in your students’ development as a writer.  Your students will develop standard spelling as they advance. Encourage a love of writing by making it fun and don’t sweat the spelling. 

How do you teach writing in your classroom? 

Picture Books about Characters with ADHD

I wanted to share two new books I discovered while adding to my Amazon book wish list.  Actually, they aren’t new, just new to me!  Both books were published in 2008.  Thanks to my media specialist who was able to contact our local library for the delivery of the books.

  

The stories deal with the issue of ADHD in kids and how they are trying to cope throughout the day.  

The first book is It’s Hard To Be A Verb  (affiliate link)  written by Julia Cook.  Julia Cook is also the author of My Mouth is a Volcano.  It’s actually the same character in both stories.  I found out that Julia Cook is a former teacher and school counselor.  She started writing books after hearing stories from her students and parents of those students who were dealing with different issues.

I like this book because not only can your ADHD students relate, but it gives some coping skills to help students manage the deficient.

I’m also all about using literature to teach EVERYTHING and this is a great book to use in your ELA lessons for what else…verbs!!

The next book is Mrs. Gorski, I Think I Have The Wiggle Fidgets  (affiliate link)  written by Barbara Esham.  This story is part of the Adventures of Everyday Geniuses series.

 

The main character,  David, is introduced by all the things he does that is either distracting or just not paying attention.  He even recognizes that his teacher has a “speaking to David” voice.  After a very messy pudding incident, the teacher decides to send a letter home to David’s parents.  David is worried of course, but he wants to discover a cure for his wiggle fidgets.  He does find out his dad had the same issue as a kid.

David spends a whole day coming up with some great ideas to help not only himself, but Mrs. Gorski!

The book has an awesome list of resources at the end of the story. 

I know every teacher has encountered a David or a Louis or you might be dealing with one this school year.  I know it can be frustrating but take a breath and always remember EMPATHY.

Leave a comment if you have found other great books about children with ADHD to share with your students!  

What other techniques have you used with your students who have the wiggle fidgets?