This paper examines the importance of handwriting instruction, through discussion of four issues: (1) whether handwriting should be taught directly outside other writing contexts; (2) slanted versus traditional manuscript alphabets; (3) use of a beginner's pencil and wide lined paper; and (4) the use of self-regulation procedures within the…

A model of the teaching-learning process to promote learning disabled students' mastery of basic academic skills is presented. The model considered psychological and social conditions of learning and reflects classroom environmental complexity. The central tenet of the model is that learning is a direct result of students' activities and pursuits.…

Methods for teaching learning disabled students task specific and metacognitive strategies to use when writing include self-instructional strategy training, task and learner analysis, training evaluation, development of vocabulary diversity, content generation and planning, and revision training. Seven steps for teaching creative writing are…

Discusses the development of phonological awareness skills in early childhood and assessment of phonological awareness abilities. Explains rhyming tests, blending tests, and segmentation tests, along with specific intervention tasks and intervention materials and programs. Urges explicit training in phonological awareness for all children. (CR)

This article discusses the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) approach to teach writing skills to students with learning disabilities. It examines how SRSD is implemented in the classroom, how teachers can plan for and evaluate SRSD, the research evidence supporting SRSD, and the method's six stages. An example in a second grade classroom…

The intervention described in this article focuses on providing extra spelling instruction to young children who experience difficulty with literacy learning. The CASL Spelling Program is designed to teach children basic sound/letter combinations, spelling patterns involving long and short vowels, and common spelling words that fit these patterns.…

This article about the poor writing of many students with learning disabilities suggests that a major cause is inadequate instruction and presents three principles of writing instruction: (1) frequent and meaningful writing; (2) developing, embellishing, and refining; and (3) a warm and supportive environment. (DB)

Principles of teaching students with special needs the processes for self-regulation of their behavior are offered, for the four components of self-instruction, goal setting, self-monitoring, and self-reinforcement. Forms of self-instruction are described, with examples, and sample recording systems are provided. (DB)

This paper focuses on goal setting in instruction of exceptional students. Goals types and such properties as specificity, proximity and difficulty are discussed, along with additional factors including feedback, commitment, participation, and student ability. Goal setting guidelines for reading, writing, mathematics, assignment completion, and…

Research-based recommendations for an effective writing instruction program for exceptional students include, among others, allocate a sufficient amount of instruction time; expose students to a broad range of writing tasks; integrate writing with other academic subjects; develop the processes of planning, sentence generation, and revising; and…

Curriculum modifications are presented, along with empirical support when available, for teaching spelling vocabulary to students with learning disabilities. The article discusses selecting words to be learned, daily testing and practice of small word sets, strategy training, self-regulation, motivation, students helping each other, and frequent…