Writing can be a challenging task for many high school special education students, but with the right strategies and activities, it can become a rewarding and enjoyable experience. With my students who don’t like to write, I try to make what they are writing about relevant/something that interests them and I also try to give them choices on what to write about. Here are three engaging ways that I encourage writing in my high school special education classroom:
Journaling with Prompts
Journaling is an excellent way to get students to practice writing regularly. I provide my students with daily writing prompts that are relevant to them. For example, prompts could include questions about their favorite hobbies, memorable experiences, or goals for the future. I encourage students to write freely without worrying about grammar or spelling errors. This not only helps improve writing skills but also allows students to express themselves creatively.
A quick internet search will provide you with endless journaling prompts. However, I use my monthly Calendar Quick Writes in my classroom. I have a journal prompt for every day prepped and ready for my students to complete. I’ve used this resource for several years now, both as a paper and digital resource.
Interactive Writing Activities
Incorporating interactive writing activities engages students and makes writing more enjoyable. One (“old school”) activity I still like to use is “Round Robin Writing,” where each student contributes a sentence or paragraph to a collaborative story. This activity encourages creativity and collaboration while allowing students to practice writing in a fun and engaging way. Here are 20 Round Robin Writing Story Starters that I’ve used over the years.
Another activity I use is “Picture Prompt Writing.” Students write a story or description based on a visual prompt, such as a picture or video clip. This activity helps students develop descriptive writing skills and encourages them to think critically about visual stimuli.
Real-World Writing Tasks
Engage students in real-world writing tasks that are relevant to their lives and future aspirations. For example, have students write a letter to a local business or organization requesting information about job opportunities or community resources. This activity not only provides students with practical writing experience but also helps them develop communication skills that are essential for future success. Another idea is to have students create a personal portfolio showcasing their writing samples, which can be used for college applications or job interviews. This activity helps students take pride in their writing accomplishments and see the value of writing in real-world contexts.
In my classroom we practice real-world writing using choice boards. With choice boards, students are able to choose the real-world work scenario activity they want to complete. These are my Workplace Writing Choice Boards that I use with my students.
By incorporating these engaging writing activities into your curriculum, you can help high school special education students develop their writing skills and confidence while making the learning process enjoyable and meaningful.
All of the resources I use I have linked to my Teachers Pay Teachers shop, but you can always shop straight from my website.