I have a few kids who really can't write...

I am teaching sixth grade this year. I have a few kids (2 in one class, 1 in another) who, I hate to say, truly can't write.

One couldn't properly fill out the little info card I gave the kids (name, addy, phone, etc.) and wasn't able to complete his baseline assessment. He goes to resource room a couple times a week. Somehow he got a 3 on the ELA.

The second kid is in slighly better shape and reads on a 4th grade level, but also couldn't do anything with his baseline piece. Mom was a heroin user while pregnant with him, and he also has lots of trouble focusing. I am not sure if he gets any services but I think he needs them.

The third kid is an ELL; I have the most hope that I can do something with him since he reads well.

I don't know where to begin- I haven't taught sixth grade in a while. And I've never had kids who are so behind. Any ideas of where to begin?

Re: I have a few kids who really can't write...

student #1 - talk to the resource room teacher - copy the info card to show her/him

student #2 - maybe a referral to the CSE?

student #3 - talk to ESL/ELL teacher

maybe they can help them with their skills when they get pulled out

Re: I have a few kids who really can't write...

Are you an ELA teacher, or do you teach another subject that their writing issues are hindering them in?

I teach 5th grade, and I find that what really helps my struggling writers is to expose them to as much modeled and shared writing as possible. I will often do this with the whole class, but when I don't I always try to pull my struggling writers as a group while others are working independently before they start a writing project/assignment.

Also, you might want to work quickly one on one with them to get them started on an assignment- if you can have them scribe the first paragraph or two to you, they will get more comfortable and feel more confident.

Lastly, I always have them edit their work by reading it aloud to themselves- they catch so many more errors that way. I bought PVC pipe that is shaped like a phone receiver- they whisper read into it and it sounds loud in their ears so they can hear their mistakes and fix them. It makes them think editing is fun.

HTH!

Re: I have a few kids who really can't write...

We have those pvc phones too. The kids LOVE using their "whisper phones." Even in 6th grade. I let them use them for comprehension, writing, etc. They sell them in catalogs for a ridiculous amount of money, but our reading director made a whole bunch for us.

Re: I have a few kids who really can't write...

Thanks ladies!

Luckily, I have very small classes this year- 23 and 21, which means that I will be able to give them a lot more one on one or small group time that I would have been in the past when I had 35-36 kids.

Re: I have a few kids who really can't write...

Re: I have a few kids who really can't write...