Written Expression

Communication, both verbal and written, is a vital life skill that students need to develop. Good communication skills enable an individual to express his/her thoughts, feelings, convictions, and knowledge in ways that benefit both the communicator and the person receiving the communication. The written word is a primary way that our God communicates with His children.

Written expression is an important component of homework assignments given in educational therapy. Writing assignments correlate with a variety of therapy techniques. Buzzer assignments include the creation of a definition and a sentence. Younger students may be assigned sentences using Blue Book words while older students may be asked to write paragraphs or stories. Older students may also have specific assignments on notetaking, composition, etc.

The purpose of writing assignments varies from student to student. Some students need opportunities to apply Blue Book rules to their spelling as they write. Other students need to practice organizing their thoughts into sentence form. Some need opportunities to expand their initial expressions.

Editing one's writing is an important task that can refine an individual's communication. Although students don't always enjoy rewriting, it is a valuable process.

Parents can assist their children with their writing assignments by first of all making sure that the student is actually doing the assignments. While the degree of parent involvement usually decreases as a child grows older, it is very beneficial to students for parents to at least have a general awareness of their assignments. Therapy assignments are recorded in assignment books and/or assignment slips in each book.

Parents need to encourage their children to do writing assignments at a table or desk -- or at the computer when that is appropriate. Lying on the floor while watching television is not a good plan. Children should be encouraged to spell words according to sounds and rules that are known. When a student has difficulty getting started, asking questions to stimulate thinking is more beneficial to the student than suggesting sentences. It is important that the writing be the student's own work so that during therapy sessions, specific errors and weaknesses can be addressed and strengthened. A student may need to be reminded to proofread what has been written.

Many students do well by writing all or part of a written assignment one day and then proofreading and editing another day. Parents can help their child to plan and organize his/her use of time so that all homework assignments are not done at one sitting. When a short period of time is spent on assignments each day, an extended period of time does not need to be spent on homework on any single day and the quality of writing usually improves.