About the Author Introduction 1. The Big Deal About Writing 2. Strolling Through the Standards 3. Universal Design for Learning 4. Engagement 5. Representation (Part One) 6. Representation (Part Two) 7. Action and Expression 8. Closing Thoughts References Index
Unlock hidden writing skills in all learners through UDL! The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for writing are promising but present a host of challenges in implementation, especially for struggling students. In this valuable resource, Sally A. Spencer demonstrates the potential of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework for making the CCSS writing and language standards accessible to all kids. Educators who utilize these strategies will know: How to leverage the strengths of students to optimize writing instruction and overcome their weaknesses The ways UDL can minimize the roadblocks in CCSS implementation How to - and how not to - use technology to teach writing and language conventions With dozens of classroom-ready activities, resources for further reading, and reproducibles, this easy-to-use guide will help you make all students proficient writers.
Sally Spencer, Ed.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at California State University, Northridge, where she teaches courses in assessment, special education teaching methods, reading instruction, and collaborative processes. Prior to that, she was a special education teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she experienced the joys and challenges of collaboration as a teacher of self-contained special education classes, as a resource specialist, and as a co-teacher in a fully-inclusive elementary school. In 2001 she was awarded Outstanding Special Educator of the year by the Southern California branch of the Council for Exceptional Children, and her heart is still in the classroom with the hundreds of students who touched her life and taught her everything she knows about special education. Sally is a presenter nationally on the subject of teaching reading to students with mild to moderate disabilities, and is published in the areas of reading instruction, collaboration and inclusion. She lives in Northridge, CA, with her husband, three dogs and six birds.