CHAPTER 10 - WRITING

Discussion Questions

1. How do processing problems effect writing skills? What do children who have writing-related processing problems do/look like?

Processing Problem Explanation/Observable Behaviors
Attention  
Spatial (visual) Perception/production  
Sequential (auditory) Perception/production  
Memory  
Language  
Higher Order Thinking  
Fine Motor Output  

 

2. What processing areas can be assessed informally through observation while the child is writing?

3. Assume that the list below delineates the skills one needs to be a successful writer. What processing problems might interfere with ideation? Explain. What processing problems might interfere with punctuation/capitalization? Explain. What processing problems might interfere with Planning, Organizing and Drafting? Explain.

  1. Ideation
    1. Idea development
    2. Integrating information from multiple sources
  2. Handwriting/Keyboarding
  3. Spelling
  4. Punctuation/Capitalization
  5. Language usage
    1. Syntax (Grammar)
    2. Semantics (Vocabulary)
    3. Pragmatics (Communication)
      1. Considering needs of audience
      2. Expressing viewpoint
      3. Cohesion for clarity
      4. Different styles for different purposes
      5. Uses of writing (narration, explanation, problem solving, experimentation, reasoning, pursuasion)
  6. Planning, Organizing, Drafting
  7. Proofreading

4.Assume that the list above delineates the skills one needs to be a successful writer.There are not many standardized assessment of written language. One test is the WIAT. What written language skills does it assess? Is it a thorough assessment? What skills does it leave out? How might you assess the skills it leaves out?