I am a [b]first year teacher[/b], and I do 7th grade collaboration (students are in a regular setting and I make accommodations for students with disabilities, pull them out for testing, etc.). I have run into a bit of a problem because we are working on writing portfolios… writing is extremely difficult for my students…the class moves at a fast pace and leaves little time for me to pull my students out of their regular class without them missing other things and getting behind. [b]Does anyone have any strategies or activities for helping students with LD write short stories?[/b] Their regular language arts teacher has done numerous activities on elements of a short story, idea generation, etc. with the entire class (but she moves at an extremely fast pace). They can pick out elements (with a little help), but writing a story of their own (and coming up with ideas that will be broad enough to write a story) is a completely different story. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve on what they have already started on…[b]so far, they have written their stories, but I need to help them improve the bulk of their stories (not spelling, etc., but more or less expanding on what they already have)[/b]. [b]Suggestions on ANY aspect of short story writing would be helpful and greatly appreciated!!![/b]
tme,
Perhaps using a mind map approach?
You say that they can identify the basic elements.
For example, perhaps they have 5 basic elements. Which they could write down on a separate piece of paper.
But spread the 5 elements from the top to the bottom of the page. With plenty of line space between each one.
Then they could try to think of an element to put between each of the 5, to link them.
So then we have 9 elements.
Then they could look for elements to put between the 9.
Where they might end up with a list of 17?
Then they could use that list as as a structure and guide to write their story?