brainstorming

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Home : 2004 : November : 21

brainstorming
By ms.w.

I understand what you are going through! I had one student break under the pressure of the state test and start crying. He was otherwise average, and very bright in math and reading.

Questions: Have you tried a group
or paired write? Put kids together and assign a prompt. Each has to help. Assign roles like recorder, encourager, illustrator, and coordinator. Pressure is removed, but the student is still involved.
Does the student worry about spelling or handwriting? This could slow or stop him. Have you tried using a computer, having the child dictate to you, and watching his words appear on

the paper? Some kids respond to the computer better than paper. It can be slow going, but it is progress.

One time I cut out a lot of pictures from magazines and let the kids pick a picture to write a creative story about. This appealed to many since the pictures were interesting and funny.

Have you tried drawing or painting along with writing? If the student is artistic, pulling words out to describe the picture could help.

Are you assigning essays or paragraphs? As a class, we have written summary paragraphs for our reading stories. The students provide the sentences. I write them on the board, and students copy them down.

Have you modeled essay writing to the class? Use the overhead or board and think out loud as you write so students can hear how writing happens.

Other ideas: Carve a pumpkin together then write a group expository essay on how it was done. (A little late, I know, but you could do "how to build a snowman", etc.) Connect a concrete project with writing to help students find the words.

Does the student enjoy a particular genre or character (Junie B., Capt. Underpants, Nate the Great, Scooby Doo, etc.)? Try incorporating that character into a writing assignment.

Have you tried the 4-square graphic organizer? It is simple and effective. Check it out.

Keep at something should click with the student sooner or later.