Informal Assessment And Instruction In Written Language

The purpose of this book is to help educators increase their proficiency in analyzing and teaching writing to students with learning disabilities. The text is organized into nine chapters. The first is the introductory chapter, the second provides a review of the various components of written language and the types of difficulties that students may have with handwriting, spelling, usage, vocabulary and text structure. The third chapter provides an overview of the writing process approach. The fourth chapter reviews the legal protections and various accommodations to which students are entitled. Chapters five, six and seven contain summaries of instructional strategies that may be used to enhance student performance in the areas of handwriting, basic skills and written expression. The eighth chapter presents analyses of writing samples from students in first-through eighth-grade levels that are reviewed within a diagnostic-prescriptive format. Chapter nine contains writing samples with guided questions that can be used for independent study, as assignments, or for in-class discussions.

This practical resource helps elementary classroom, remedial reading, and LD teachers make the best possible informal assessment of a child's specific reading, writing, and spelling strengths and weaknesses and attitudes toward reading. Written in easy-to-follow nontechnical language, it provides a multitude of tested informal assessment strategies and devices, such as "kid watching," retellings, journals, IRIs, writing surveys, portfolios, think alouds and more-- including more than 200 reproducible assessment devices ready for immediate use! You'll find a detailed description of each informal assessment techniques along with step-by-step procedures for its use and, wherever possible, one or more reproducible sample devices. Complete answer keys for each device are included with the directions. Among the unique topics covered are the innovative Individual Reading Inventory, San Diego Quick Assessment List, El Paso Phonics Survey, QAD Chart, Holistic scoring of writing and Reproducible devices for portfolio assessment. In short, Alternative Assessment Techniques for Reading and Writing offers a wealth of tested, ready-to-use informal assessment information and devices that should save the teacher a great deal of time and energy in making a useful assessment of any student's literacy ability!

A hands-on guide for anyone who teaches writing to students with learning disabilities This valuable resource helps teachers who want to sharpen their skills in analyzing and teaching writing to students with learning disabilities. The classroom-tested, research-proven strategies offered in this book work with all struggling students who have difficulties with writing-even those who have not been classified as learning disabled. The book offers a review of basic skills-spelling, punctuation, and capitalization-and includes instructional strategies to help children who struggle with these basics. The authors provide numerous approaches for enhancing student performance in written expression. They explore the most common reasons students are reluctant to write and offer helpful suggestions for motivating them. Includes a much-needed guide for teaching and assessing writing skills with children with learning disabilities Contains strategies for working with all students that struggle with writing Offers classroom-tested strategies, helpful information, 100+ writing samples with guidelines for analysis, and handy progress-monitoring charts Includes ideas for motivating reluctant writers Mather is an expert in the field of learning disabilities and is the best-selling author of Essentials of Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement Assessment

Weaving together the latest knowledge and best practices for teaching children to read, this indispensable text and professional resource provides a complete guide to differentiated instruction for diverse learners. Uniquely integrative, the book places the needs of English language learners and students with disabilities front and center instead of treating them as special topics. Accessible chapters on each of the core components of literacy clearly demonstrate how to link formal and informal assessment to evidence-based instruction. Special features include Research Briefs, Tech Tips, Internet Resources, Reflection and Action Questions, and dozens of reproducible student activities and assessment tools.

From the first edition to the latest, Language Arts: Process, Product and Assessment for Diverse Classrooms has presented sound language arts theory and methodology in a nonthreatening, straightforward manner at a reasonable price. Coverage focuses on the 2017 Standards for Literacy Professionals. Each chapter identifies and addresses the standards applicable to that chapter’s topics. Farris and Werderich infuse their foundational guidelines with the latest research, teaching practices, and assessment and evaluation techniques. Ideas for lesson plans, use of technological applications, internet resources, and comprehensive, up-to-date listings of children’s, young adult, and multicultural fiction and nonfiction titles are among the text’s outstanding features. Other features geared expressly for pre- and inservice teachers include: • Engaging, real-life classroom anecdotes • Instructional activities for reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and visually representing • Boxes containing teaching hints and mini lessons • Section on Response to Intervention (RtI) with the various tiers of intervention • Theories, instruction, and teaching activities for English language learners (ELLs) • Guidelines to meet the needs of special needs learners • Suggestions for literacy-based interdisciplinary instruction (including STEM and STEAM) • Examples of children’s work to help readers understand what to expect from different ages and ability levels • Questions and assignments to strengthen readers’ aptitude, awareness, and application of topics to real life

Featuring detailed student cases, this book provides proven ways to teach all students academic and lifetime learning skills. Informal assessments and sample IEPs are included.

Weaving together the latest knowledge and best practices for teaching children to read, this indispensable text and professional resource provides a complete guide to differentiated instruction for diverse learners. Uniquely integrative, the book places the needs of English language learners and students with disabilities front and center instead of treating them as special topics. Accessible chapters on each of the core components of literacy clearly demonstrate how to link formal and informal assessment to evidence-based instruction. Special features include Research Briefs, Tech Tips, Internet Resources, Reflection and Action Questions, and dozens of reproducible student activities and assessment tools.