Language Experience Procedure

Use this procedure for beginning or reluctant writers. Change and adapt to your learner’s strengths, abilities and needs.

  1. Help your learner determine a story about which he would like to write. You can do this by talking and brainstorming together.
  2. Have your learner share the story with you. You may ask questions to draw out more information.
  3. Print the story on a sheet of paper exactly as your learner tells it to you whether or not it is standard grammar. Keep the story short.
  4. Read the story together with your learner. Read one word or sentence at a time if necessary. Reread the story as often as necessary for your learner to read it comfortably with you.
  5. Have your learner read the story alone once he is familiar enough with it. Help him if he gets stuck on a word, but allow time for him to remember and figure it out if he can.
  6. Ask questions about the story to see if there need to be any changes or additions made.
  7. Pull out sight words or word families from the story. Use the words to work on one of the phonic skills he needs to practise. These words can go on flash cards and be used in other lessons.
  8. Have your learner copy his story into his notebook or on a piece of paper. If your learner is creating a portfolio, have him add the story to his portfolio.

Handout 7.13