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Simply Special Ed

Resource Downloads & Teaching Advice

Academics Blog Writing

How to Use the Daily Writing Journal

how to use the daily writing journal

Teaching writing in a special education classroom can be challenging. The Daily Writing Journal makes it simple! With four levels, you’ll meet all your students’ needs! I’ll show you how to use the Daily Writing Journal!

customizable front covers for the daily journal
Customize the front cover to each of your students!

Prep the Daily Writing Journal

To get started, decide how you want to prep your daily writing journals. You can bind them using coils or put them in a binder for each student. I have students that may change levels throughout the year, so I opted to prep mine in individual binders. Print the level each student needs, print a customizable front cover, hole punch your pages, and assemble! Super easy prep! Make sure to have your students write their names on the cover page of their daily writing journal. I printed the cover pages on colored cardstock since I color code my students.

level 1 field of 1 choice daily writing journal
Level 1 starts with a field of 1 choice.

How to Use Level 1

Level 1 is perfect for early learners or learners with significant needs. My students love using bingo daubers, so they love this activity! Read the sentence and answer choice to the student, then they daub their answer.

level 1 field of 2 choices daily writing journal
Level 1 offers a field of 2 choices as well.

Level 1 also has the option of a field of 2 answer choices. I also like this format for early learners or learners with significant needs. Read the sentence and the answer choices, then the student can daub their choice. You can also have the student say these words using their communication device!

cut and paste level 2 daily writing journal
Cut and paste the sentence in order in Level 2.

Let’s Use Level 2

Level 2 has the cut and paste option to build the sentence. Have the student cut out the words on the bottom strip of the paper, then read the question prompt. Have your student puts the words of the sentence in order. Don’t forget the punctuation! Work on writing and fine motor skills!

no visual cut and paster daily writing journal
Level 3 increases complexity with no visual supports.

Check Out Level 3

In Level 3 of the Daily Writing Journal, it is a cut and paste but with no visual supports! This level is great for your students that are readers and ready to fade out visual supports. Have the student cut out the words, read the prompt, and paste the words of the sentence in order. Build independence with this level!

handwriting option for level 4
Get your students handwriting with Level 4!

Let’s See Level 4

Level 4 takes the complexity up another notch by incorporating handwriting. I use these golf pencils (affiliate link) to promote appropriate grasp! They are also great for little hands. In this level, the student will read the prompt and the answer choices, choose an answer choice, then write a complete sentence using their choice. My students love bingo daubers, so they use those to choose their answer before writing their sentence.

Check out this blog about more must have school supplies.

level 4 daily writing journal no answer choices
Bump it up one more time by removing answer choices!

Level 4 of the Daily Writing Journal bumps up the difficulty one more time by removing the answer choices. In this level, the student will read the prompt then write their sentence. Don’t worry, there is plenty of space to map out their writing and ideas!

HOW TO USE THE DAILY WRITING JOURNALS

With 4 levels and over 1000 pages, you’ll be able to meet all your students exactly where they are with their writing skills. Which level will you use the most with your students? Read this blog on more about the Daily Writing Journals!

Related Posts:

  • How to Prep Daily Writing Journals
    How to Prep Daily Writing Journals
  • The Best Journal for Special Education Classrooms
    The Best Journal for Special Education Classrooms
  • K-2 Daily Classroom Schedule
    K-2 Daily Classroom Schedule
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Hi amazing teachers!
I'm Alyssa Shanahan -- a former Elementary Special Ed & Life Skills teacher. My classroom focus was always to keep things simple, increase communication, and build independence. Simply Special Ed's goal is to help teachers and students reach their full potential in and out of the classroom!

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