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!
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.
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 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!
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!
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!
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 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!
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!
