Examples of Writing Difficulties

• Trouble staying within margins or on lines

• Problems copying from the board or books

• Difficulty writing neatly and quickly

• Difficulty with size and spacing

• Difficulty organizing written work

• Weaknesses in labeling diagrams

• Problems recognizing spelling patterns

• Difficulty recognizing and attending to punctuation

Writiing Strategies:

• Teach proofreading strategies (COPS)

• Use a proofreading buddy

• Before writing letters or essays, create an outline to simplify and organize ideas

• Use a popsicle stick with marks on it to help the student figure out what is good sized space in writing

• Use a green marker to make marks on the student’s writing sample to indicate good spaces, and a red marker to make lines for poor spacing. When student understands, let them “grade” his/her own paper

Accommodations:

• Highlighting margins during writing tasks