Academic and Behavioral Interventions

Are you looking for strategies to help students who leave out, change, or reorganize letters or pieces of sound while writing? If so, keep reading.

1. Select a peer to take part in daily spelling word drills with the student.

2. Get the student to type their list of spelling words.

3. Cut a word apart letter by letter to make a puzzle. Get the student to scramble the letters and then arrange them to spell the word.

4. Get the student to keep a dictionary of most commonly misspelled words. Make the student check the spelling of all words they are not certain are spelled correctly.

5. Do not require the student to learn too many words at one time.

6. Provide the student fewer words to learn to spell at one time. Spend extra time on each word until the student can spell it correctly.

7. Get the student to be a peer tutor to teach a spelling concept they have learned to another student. This can serve as reinforcement for the student.

8. Teach the student why they need to spell words correctly (e.g., give the student a concrete example of how each word can be used in their life.).

9. Get the student to proofread all written work for omissions, substitutions, additions, or rearranged letters or sound units. Praise the student for each correction made.

10. Give chances for the student to read often, so they view in print those words they need to learn to spell.

11. Make sure that the student’s spelling words are those that they see on a routine (schedule) basis, rather than infrequently, to enable correct spelling and use of the words.

12. Acknowledge quality work (e.g., display the student’s work, congratulate the student, etc.).

13. Spotlight, in the student’s reading tasks, those letters or sound units the student omits, substitutes, adds, or rearranges to direct the student’s attention to the correct spelling of words.

14. Find those words the student misspells by omitting, substituting, adding, or rearranging letters or sound units. Get the student to practice spelling the words correctly in sentences written each day.

15. Consider using one of the tools from of spelling apps list.

Are you looking for ways to teach kids phonetic approaches to spelling? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the student to practice spelling phonetically the words most commonly used in everyday speech and writing.

2. Give the student a list of words they are required to spell phonetically. Give the student evaluative feedback indicating how the words can be spelled phonetically.

3. Get the student to use a phonetic approach to spelling words in sentences written each day.

4. Teach the student spelling ideas at each level before introducing a new skill level.

5. Assist the student in separating their spelling list into those words that are spelled phonetically and those that are not.

6. Integrate spelling with the total language arts program (e.g., learning activities, methods, and learning materials are related to the teaching of reading and language as a whole rather than separately).

7. Make sure the student correctly hears the sounds in the words they misspell. Get the student to say the words aloud to ascertain if they are aware of the letters or sound units in words.

8. Provide the student with short drills in spelling each day that require a selected phonetic sound. As the student shows success, increase the number of phonetic sounds.

9. Give the student an example of phonetic spelling for those words they fail to attempt to spell phonetically.

10. Get the student to keep a dictionary of “most misspelled words.” Make the student check the spelling of all words they are not certain are spelled correctly.

11. Praise the student for spelling words phonetically: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

12. Make the student use a phonetic approach to spelling any word they do not know how to spell.

13. Get the student to write sentences, paragraphs, or a story each day about a favorite subject. Urge the student to use a phonetic approach to spelling the words they use.

14. Teach the student the sound each letter makes. Get the student to practice making letter sounds as they see the letters on flash cards.

15. Acknowledge quality work (e.g., display the student’s work, congratulate the student, etc.).

16. Consider using one of the tools from of spelling apps list.

Are you looking for strategies to help students who have trouble with phonetic approaches to spelling? If so, keep reading.

1. Select a peer to model spelling words phonetically. Get the student to read what a peer writes phonetically.

2. Cut a word apart letter by letter to make a puzzle. Get the student to scramble the letters and then arrange them to spell the word.

3. Dictate one sound at a time for the student to write.

4. Do not require the student to learn more information than they are capable of learning at any time.

5. Get the student to find a list of words each week that they want to learn to use in writing learning activities . Teach the student phonetic approaches to spelling these words.

6. Give spelling practice using an app or a hand-held educational device that gives the student instant feedback.

7. Do not require the student to learn too many spelling words at one time.

8. Provide the student fewer words to learn to spell at one time. Spend extra time on each word until they can spell it correctly.

9. Let the student dictate sounds for you to write.

10. Select a peer to take part in daily drills spelling words phonetically with the student.

11. Get the student to be a peer tutor to teach a spelling concept they have learned to another student. This can serve as reinforcement for the student.

12. Minimize distracting stimuli in the classroom when the student is working on spelling and related learning activities (e.g., place the student in a carrel or “office” space).

13. Get the student to practice a new spelling lesson or task alone or with an aide, the teacher, or a peer before trying it with the entire group or before being graded on it.

14. Utilize flash cards to teach the words. Get students to look at the word, say the word, then spell the word aloud as they are looking at the word.

15. Try several learning activities to help strengthen and reinforce the phonetic spelling of words (e.g., writing their own story, sentences, etc.).

16. Consider using one of the tools from of spelling apps list.

Are you looking for hacks for teaching kids to spell? If so, keep reading.

1. Display a chart with a list of spelling rules so the student can refer to it when finishing written tasks.

2. Give the student a list of words that represent the spelling rules to keep at their desk for reference (e.g., “hoping” represents dropping the silent e when adding ing, “hopping” represents doubling the final consonant when adding ing, etc.).

3. Make the student practice basic spelling rules daily.

4. Give the student self-checking learning resources. Require the student to make corrections before turning in tasks.

5. Acknowledge quality work (e.g., display the student’s work, congratulate the student, etc.).

6. Minimize distracting stimuli in the classroom when the student is working on spelling and related learning activities (e.g., place the student in a carrel or “office” space).

7. Get the student to practice using spelling rules in words, sentences, etc., that are written every day.

8. Give the student commercial or teacher-made games that give practice using spelling rules.

9. Make the student proofread their written tasks using spelling rules. Praise the student for each correction they make when using spelling rules.

10. Daily, examine those spelling skills that have been previously introduced.

11. Teach the student to use spelling rules to spell words correctly rather than simply memorizing the spelling of words for testing purposes (e.g., dropping the silent e when adding ing, etc.).

12. Make the student use the dictionary to find the correct spelling of any words they cannot spell correctly. Place emphasis on spelling accurately.

13. Daily, examine those spelling skills that have been previously introduced.

14. Teach the student why they are learning spelling rules (e.g., give the student a concrete example of how each word can be used in their life).

15. Give the student a list of spelling rules to keep at their desk. Make the student refer to the rules when writing words, sentences, etc.

16. Daily, examine those spelling skills that have been previously introduced.

17. Utilize wall charts showing word endings (e.g., -ed, -ing, -ly, -er, etc.) and sample words for the student to use as a reference when writing.

18. Make the student orally explain how they spell words using spelling rules (e.g., “i before eexcept after c,” etc.).

19. Consider using one of the tools from of spelling apps list.

Are you looking for ways to teach students spelling rules? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the student to spend time each day practicing the use of a single word ending (e.g., -ed). On occasions where the student shows mastery of a word ending, introduce a new one.

2. Teach the student spelling ideas at each level before introducing a new skill level.

3. Get the student to type their list of spelling words.

4. Get the student to use current spelling words in an important manner (e.g., writing a letter to a friend, rock star, famous athlete, etc.) to enable their desire to improve.

5. Spotlight word endings (e.g., -ed, -ing, -ly, -er; etc.) in the student’s reading tasks to call attention to appropriate use of word endings.

6. Keep box of a salt or sand in which the student can trace spelling words.

7. Get the student to be a peer tutor to teach a spelling concept they have learned to another student. This can serve as reinforcement for the student.

8. Make sure the student has sufficient time to finish written tasks to enable the student’s improvement in using spelling rules.

9. Get the student to write current spelling words in various places (e.g., smartboard, transparencies, on a posted list at their desk, etc.) throughout the classroom as they are learning them.

10. Utilize daily drills to help the student memorize spelling rules.

11. Give the student sufficient chances for the repetition of information through various experiences to improve their memory.

12. Get the student to keep a dictionary of “most misspelled words” at their desk. Make the student check the spelling of all words they are not certain are spelled correctly.

13. Make up a “rap” using the spelling rule.

14. Pair the student with a peer to proofread each other’s work.

15. Get the student to start a personal dictionary of misspelled words at their desk. Require them to check the spelling of all words they are not certain are spelled correctly.

16. Consider using one of the tools from of spelling apps list.

Are you looking for strategies to help students who cannot use spelling rules If so, keep reading.

1. Affix a list of word endings (e.g., -ed, -ing, -ly, -er, etc.) and sample words to the student’s desk for use as a reference when writing.

2. Do not require the student to learn more information than they are capable of learning at any time.

3. Select a peer to practice the use of spelling rules when writing words, sentences, etc., each day with the student.

4. Cut a spelling word apart letter by letter to make a puzzle. Get the student to scramble the letters and then arrange them to spell the word.

5. Do not require the student to learn too many spelling words at one time.

6. Provide the student a magazine or newspaper. Get them to highlight words that follow the spelling rule they are learning.

7. Get the student to find a list of words (e.g., 5, 10, or 15 words) each week that they want to learn to spell. Teach the student to spell these words using the spelling rules.

8. Display a chart in the classroom with a list of words that represent the spelling rules. The student can refer to the list when finishing written tasks (e.g., “hoping” represents dropping the silent e when adding ing, “hopping” represents doubling the final consonant when adding ing, etc.).

9. Get the student to keep a copy of the rules for word endings at their desk.

10. Make sure the student has had sufficient practice using the spelling rules in writing words, sentences, etc.

11. Integrate spelling rules with the total language arts program (e.g., learning activities , methods, and learning materials related to the teaching of spelling, reading, and language as a whole rather than separately).

12. Get the student to practice a new spelling skill alone or with an aide, the teacher, or a peer before trying it with the entire group or before being graded on it.

13. Give the student an app or a handheld educational device that gives practice and reinforcement for correctly spelling words.

14. Get the student to continuously practice a spelling rule until that rule is learned (e.g., “i before e except after c,” etc.). On occasions where one rule is learned, a new one is introduced.

15. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the student to hurry and make mistakes.

16. Consider using one of the tools from of spelling apps list.

Are you looking for strategies to help students who do not use acceptable letter size while writing? If so, keep reading.

1. Inspect the student’s posture. Get the student to sit in a properly sized chair with feet touching the floor, their back pressed against the back of the chair, shoulders slightly inclined, arms resting comfortably on the desk, and elbows just off the edge of the desk.

2. Inspect the student’s paper position. A right-handed person writing in cursive should tilt the paper to the left so the lower left-hand comer points toward the person’s midsection, and as the writing progresses the paper should shift, not the writing arm.

3. Inspect the student’s pencil grasp. The pencil should be between the thumb and first two fingers, holding the instrument one inch from its tip.

4. Utilize paper that has a midline and a descender space.

5. Get the student to find maximum, intermediate,and minimum letters to help them locate the correct placement of each group.

6. Make sure the student is shifting their paper as the writing progresses.

7. Assess writing alignment by drawing a horizontal line across the tops of the letters that are to be of the same size.

8. Highlight lines on the paper as a reminder for the student to make correct letter size.

9. Select a peer to model making letters an appropriate size when writing for the student.

10. Give the student samples of letters of an appropriate size for learning activities that require writing.

11. Give the student an alphabet strip at their desk with letters the size they are to form.

12. Compose letters on the student’s paper and have them trace them.

13. Compose letters on the student’s paper in a broken line and have the student connect the lines.

14. Using examples written on grid paper, have the student copy the examples beneath them.

15. Darken the lines on the student’s paper that are used for correct letter size.

16. Consider using one of the apps on one of our best writing apps lists:

The Tech Edvocate’s List of 31 Grammar & Writing Apps, Tools & Resources

Ten Apps to Help Learners Develop Writing Skills

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Elementary School Learners

11 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for High School Learners

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Middle School Learners

Are you looking for hacks to teach students to use acceptable letter size while writing? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the student to correct their mistakes in letter size.

2. Draw boxes to indicate the size of specific letters in relationship to the lines on the paper.

3. Using tracing paper, have the student trace over specific letters or words.

4. Give the student clearly stated criteria for acceptable work (e.g., neatness, etc.).

5. Acknowledge quality work (e.g., display the student’s work, congratulate the student, etc.).

6. Give the student the appropriate learning materials to finish the task (e.g., pencil with eraser, paper, dictionary, handwriting sample, etc.). Make sure that the student has only those appropriate learning materials on the desk.

7. Teach the student handwriting skills at each level before introducing a new skill level.

8. Inspect the student’s work at several points throughout the task to make sure that the student is making letters an appropriate size.

9. Using a sequence of dots, have the student trace words or sentences.

10. Give the student a number line and alphabet strip on the desk to use as a reference for the correct form of letters and numbers to lessen errors.

11. Give the student various size pencils or pencil grip.

12. Assess the appropriateness of the task to determine (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

13. Praise the student for using appropriate letter size when writing: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

14. Get the student’s vision reviewed if it has not been recently reviewed.

15. Utilize vertical lines or graph paper to help the student space letters correctly.

16. Consider using one of the apps on one of our best writing apps lists:

The Tech Edvocate’s List of 31 Grammar & Writing Apps, Tools & Resources

Ten Apps to Help Learners Develop Writing Skills

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Elementary School Learners

11 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for High School Learners

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Middle School Learners

Are you looking for ways to teach students to use correct verb tenses while writing? If so, keep reading.

1. Make sure the student proofreads all written work and makes corrections in verb tenses. Praise the student for each correction.

2. Let the student assist in proofreading or grading other students’ papers to enable understanding of correct verb tense usage.

3. Urge the student to read written work aloud to find errors in verb tenses.

4. Read a sequence of sentences to the student and have them find whether each one is in the past, present, or future tense.

5. Give the student a list of all tenses of verbs most commonly used. Get them to keep this list at their desk.

6. Select a peer to practice verb tenses with the student. Each tense is used in a sentence rather than only conjugating verbs.

7. Make conjugating of verb tenses a daily learning experience .

8. Provide the student a choice of answers (e.g., more than one possible answer, multiple-choice items on a worksheet, etc.) to facilitate their capacity and ability to recognize the correct answer.

9. Acknowledge quality work (e.g., display the student’s work, congratulate the student, etc.).

10. Do not require the student to learn more information than they are capable of learning at any time.

11. Teach the student writing ideas at each level before introducing a new skill level.

12. Inspect the student’s work at several points throughout the task to make sure the student is using appropriate verb tenses.

13. Get the student to take part in writing learning activities designed to cause them to want to be successful in writing (e.g., writing a letter to a friend, rock star, famous athlete, etc.).

14. Praise those students in the classroom who use correct verb tenses when writing.

15. Praise the student for using appropriate verb tenses when writing: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

16. Consider using one of the apps on one of our best writing apps lists:

The Tech Edvocate’s List of 31 Grammar & Writing Apps, Tools & Resources

Ten Apps to Help Learners Develop Writing Skills

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Elementary School Learners

11 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for High School Learners

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Middle School Learners

Are you looking for strategies to help students who do not use correct verb tenses while writing? If so, keep reading.

1. Give the student examples of verb tenses for those verbs most commonly used incorrectly, and have the student keep the examples for reference.

2. Create a list of those verbs the student most commonly uses incorrectly. This list will become the guide for learning activities in verb tenses.

3. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., using correct verb tenses) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

4. Select a peer to model the correct use of verb tenses for the student.

5. Teach the student what changes must be made in a verb to indicate when an event happened (e.g., past, present, future).

6. Get the student to finish written worksheets in which they must supply the correct verb tense to go in the sentence (e.g., “Yesterday I __ to my house.”).

7. Get the student to pick out the correct verb tense on multiple-choice worksheets (e.g., “Tomorrow she __ [ate, eat, will eat] her supper.”).

8. Provide the student specific verb tenses and have them supply appropriate sentences to go with each (e.g., played: “John played at my house last night.”).

9. Get the student to write sentences with given verbs in past, present, and future tenses.

10. Get the student to listen to examples of incorrect verb tenses and then find each error and correct it.

11. Give the student the appropriate learning materials to finish the task (e.g., pencil with eraser, paper, dictionary, handwriting sample, etc.). Make sure the student has only those appropriate learning materials on the desk.

12. Show a sequence of sentences and ask the student to change the tense from past to present, present to future, etc.

13. Provide the student a sequence of sentences (both oral and written) and ask them to indicate whether each is grammatically correct.

14. Ask the parents to encourage the student’s correct use of verb tenses by praising them when grammar is appropriate.

15. Discuss the importance of correct written communication and what would happen if the verb tenses were used incorrectly (e.g., confusion as to when an event took place).

16. Consider using one of the apps on one of our best writing apps lists:

The Tech Edvocate’s List of 31 Grammar & Writing Apps, Tools & Resources

Ten Apps to Help Learners Develop Writing Skills

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Elementary School Learners

11 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for High School Learners

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Middle School Learners