As an IEW Educational Consultant who specializes in learning differences, I occasionally receive phone calls from teachers concerned about teaching writing to students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia or dysgraphia. Typically, the teacher is worried about being able to differentiate instruction in the classroom and dividing her time amongst the students who need more support.
I love being able to encourage these teachers that they can do the work and that IEW is there to support them. Teaching is a noble profession, but it is also a challenging one. IEW’s stated mission is to equip teachers and teaching parents with methods and materials which will aid them in training their students to become confident and competent communicators and thinkers. Over its more than thirty years of publishing Structure and Style curriculum, IEW has leveraged its considerable experience to build upon its early success and elevate it by continuing to design curriculum and develop instructional methods that work for students of all abilities and that support teachers, whether they are in a five-day-a-week classroom or a hybrid school environment.
The Structure and Style writing method is readily adaptable to meet the needs of students where they are, regardless of their ability. We have a host of powerful tools that allow for easy differentiation. By utilizing the EZ+1 philosophy and customizing the checklist, teachers can instruct their students using the same lesson. Advanced students can write and include advanced stylistic techniques, and students with learning differences can grow their skills at an appropriate rate that challenges but doesn’t overwhelm them.
Throughout instruction, the teacher models for the class, working with students to write a key word outline and generate suggestions for style that strengthen vocabulary and syntax. Orally testing the outline further supports comprehension. I’ve seen the Structure and Style approach work in my own classroom, and now I am delighted to continue to support teachers as they witness for themselves the power of the method. All of us in the Schools Department are here to help you be successful in your instruction. We look forward to partnering with you!
Learn more at IEWSchools.com/learning-differences
by Jennifer Mauser
