Instructional Strategies for All Learners with Difficulties with Mechanics of Writing/Drawing

No Tech (Mechanics of Writing/Drawing)
  • Make accommodations for writing through the following strategies:
  • Allow more time to complete assignments
  • Reduce quantity of final product
  • Explore different forms of writing – for example, don’t restrict writing to cursive
  • Model writing first – teacher/peer/aide writes the word to show student how to form letters
  • Use “fill-in-the-blank” answer format
  • Modify worksheets – simplify; make templates for student to complete
  • Use multiple choice answer format
  • Support spelling skills through use of word searches and crossword puzzles
  • Warm-up exercises – for hands/arms prior to writing
Low Tech (Mechanics of Writing/Drawing)
  • Word walls – to reinforce frequently used words and topic/story vocabulary; create on blackboard, whiteboard, or cards posted on walls; words may be grouped together by category and color-coded
  • Word rings – another way to reinforce topic/story vocabulary by putting text, drawn/cut-out/scanned pictures/drawings, story characters, picture communication symbols, etc. on oaktag cards; then create rings with the cards using binder rings, shower curtain rings, pipe cleaners or yarn
  • Spelling journals
  • Handwriting instruction books/guides, e.g., Beginning Connected, Cursive Writing, Calvert School Store, http://home.calvertschool.org/hs/schoolstore/enrichment/writing_grammar.htm
  • “Writing” letters in sand, finger paints, salt, beans, etc. – to practice letter formation, provides kinesthetic feedback
  • Tactile letters, e.g., made with sandpaper, puff paints, glitter, glue, etc. – to trace; for practice in letter formation and for kinesthetic feedback
  • Enhance lines to make them tactile – puff paints, glue, hot glue
  • Variety of tactile writing surfaces – e.g. sandpaper, screen, etc.
  • Magnetic alphabet set – sticks to any magnetic surface, e.g., cookie sheet
  • Magnetic alphabet board – for use with magnetic letters/numbers/words
  • Magnetic printer paper – to create magnetized letters, words, graphics, etc. (office supply)
  • Scrabble or other letter tiles – for writing, spelling
  • Letter/number representations – made out of clay, paints, collages; for tactile and visual reinforcement; make a clay alphabet/numbers; have students make their own
  • Dot-to-dot letters – letters written in dots for student to complete
  • Pencil grips of many types – stabilizes student’s grip on pen or pencil; commercially made or make your own with a piece of foam or non-slip material, e.g., Rug Lock (office supply, grocery)
  • Adapted pens/pencils – Dr. Grip – good for adults too (office supply), EvoPen – small, oval, fits in palm, triangular pencils, Squiggle Wiggle Writer – triangular, vibrating, battery-operated; 4 color cartridges 
  • Nightwriter lighted pen – battery-operated; has light at the tip to support visual tracking while writing 
  • Vary writing implements – markers, paints, fat crayons/pencils, grease pencils; experiment with what works best for the student
  • Drawing/illustrating – crayons, markers, finger paints, paints, Chunky brushes (big handles) – for painting (art stores)
  • Shift position of paper – the standard positioning may not work for all students
  • Enhanced line paper – commercial raised line paper or adapt your own paper by printing lines in a color, then laminating the paper and gluing over the lines to enhance them, e.g., Right-Line Paper – Wide Rule of STOP-GO red/green 
  • White board or Contact Brand white Memoboard paper or small chalkboard – write and erase surface for students to communicate quick messages with wipe-off markers/chalk and erasers (office/educational/art supply)
  • Erasable crayons on dry erase board for more drag – crayon grip gives more control (educational supply)
  • Plastic writing guides – keeps pen/pencil within a limited rectangular space Stencils/templates, tracing paper – to serve as guides for practice
  • Highlighters for tracing – student can trace directly over black line model
  • Rubber stamps & stamp pad – for letters/numbers/name 
  • Finger grip ruler – keeps fingers out of the way while drawing a line (office supply, educational supply)
  • Highlighter markers or tapes, colored dots, correction tape – to “take notes” in text by highlighting important points or to indicate margins or start/end points on the writing paper (office supply)
  • Magic Rub Erasers – easier to use than regular erasers; don’t tear paper 
  • Correction/cover-up tapes – to correct mistakes in writing if erasing is a problem (office supply)
  • Dycem or other non skid pads/rolls, e.g., Rug Lock or Contact Brand Grip Liner – use to hold objects in place on table/wheelchair, e.g., slantboard, clipboard with writing paper, Dycem (available at grocery/variety stores)
  • Clipboard to hold paper or tape paper to desk – to hold writing paper steady (office supply)
  • Prewritten words/phrases on labels/cards/paper – for answering questions or other writing tasks
  • Peer/aide takes notes for student – use carbon paper, NCR paper