Scaffolding Writing for Struggling Students

I call this approach “Think - Say - Write - Read.” I use it for Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) students, for English Language Learners (ELL), for special education students, and for any student who is having difficulty with a topic or having a bad day.

Four Steps to Guide a Reluctant or Struggling Writer

1. THINK. Prompt the student to think of a sentence. (I’ve found that many struggling writers put pencil to paper immediately without giving the topic enough forethought, therefore the words tumble out willy-nilly, the sentence structure is poor, and the message isn’t clear.) So, ask the child to stop and think of a sentence about the topic before writing anything.

2. SAY. Have the student tell you the sentence - only one sentence. If it comes out jumbled, give them a few tries. If it turns into a run-on sentence, ask them to avoid using "and," and stick to one idea.

3. WRITE. Ask the student to write the one sentence. Say nothing. Don’t breathe over them. Take the pressure off by averting your eyes, or by checking on a nearby student.

4. READ. Have the student read the sentence out loud. This is the point where kids can be prompted to check their writing. They may see an error, such as a missing word, and fix it on their own. If they misread the sentence, ask them to reread it while you point to each word. Avoid correcting any errors. Instead ask, “Is that what you wanted to say?” “Does that sentence make sense?” Let the student correct or rewrite the sentence so that it communicates their own message.

Repeat Think - Say - Write - Read for each additional sentence.

A Writing Intervention Strategy for RtI

Evidently, this is intensive work. It requires a small group learning situation, or one-on-one teaching. It is an excellent strategy to use for private tutoring, for special education, SEI (Sheltered English Immersion), and ELL (English Language Learners). In the classroom, a paraprofessional can readily provide students with this level of support.

Summary of Scaffolding Writing for Struggling Students

1. THINK. Prompt the student to think of a sentence.

2. SAY. Have the student tell you the sentence.

3. WRITE. Ask the student to write the one sentence.

4. READ. Have the student read the sentence out loud.

What do you think? If you've tried this method, let me know how it worked for you and your students.