This reminds me of Benjamin Franklin's description of how he taught himself to write. 


>>> "Gassman, Jean" <jgassman at iel.spokane.edu> 04/22/07 5:57 PM >>>

Hi,
One strategy I teach is called memory writing.  I have the student start by choosing a sentence from some work he/she has.  For example, from this writing it could be the first sentence:   One strategy I teach is called memory writing. 
1.  Student reads the sentence outloud. 
2.  Student covers the sentence and writes the sentence from memory.  
3.  If student doesn't know the spelling of a word, guess.
4.  If student forgets the words, look at the original sentence again.  
5.  After writing the sentence, the student compares that sentence to the original sentence.  Check the capitalization, punctuation, spelling and words very carefully.  If spelling errors, that can be worked on independently.
6.  Rewrite the sentence two or three times, covering the previous writing so the sentence is being written from memory.  
 
I have found this a very effective way for students to practice writing.  
 
Jean Gassman
 

________________________________

From: learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Anne Ventrello
Sent: Fri 4/20/2007 10:22 AM
To: Learningdisabilities at nifl.gov
Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1113] low-literate ESL learners



Hi,  I am enjoying the ongoing discussions.  I have not seen this issue addressed.  We have several students who never had much education in their own language who have difficulty with reading but more often writing at the level at which they can speak and understand the language.  Our program has discussed having a literacy class for such students but the demand has never been enough and/or not enough personnel to teach another class.  Does anyone have any suggestions, especially for someone who is doing okay with every aspect of the English at the level they're assigned except for writing?  Does anyone have materials they could give to such students to work on their own?  Thanks, in advance, for your help.

 

Anne

 

Anne Ventrello, Program Coordinator

Montrose Adult Basic Education Program

P. O. Box 10,000

Montrose, CO  81402

970-249-2028

aventrello at mcsd.k12.co.us