A differentiated writing lesson designed for students with IEPs and diverse learning needs to express their plans for summer break. It features three levels of scaffolded student worksheets (drawing/labeling, sentence frames, and structured writing) alongside a comprehensive teacher facilitation guide.
• Provide slant boards to assist visual/physical alignment.
• Highlight baseline or use hand-over-hand physical prompt when student starts writing.
• Allow digital typing or dictation for final responses.
🧘♂️ Attention & Sensory Support
• Break writing sessions into 3-5 minute intervals.
• Use a visual countdown timer to indicate task length.
• Allow access to quiet hand fidgets during ideation.
• Provide sensory headphones for noise cancellation.
Communication & AAC Strategy
Use these core vocabulary terms and verbal prompts for students using AAC devices (high/low tech):
🎯 Want / Like
🗺️ Go / Stay
☀️ Fun / Sun
Verbal Prompt Frame: "Touch WANT on your device. Show me what you want to do this summer." Encourage the student to pair AAC selections with physical matching of word cards.
Student Progress Assessment Rubric
Criteria
Emergent (1)
Developing (2)
Proficient (3)
Expresses Idea
Indicates summer choice with hand-over-hand visual cues or single gaze choice.
Draws or picks a clear activity option with simple labels/stems.
Independently selects and drafts multiple thoughts about summer plans.
Mechanics & Motor
Requires high physical prompting to trace single letters or grasp crayon.
Traces/writes target words with baseline alignment. Some spaces missing.
Writes legibly using standard spaces and basic punctuation. Self-monitors.
Word Bank Use
Requires teacher pointing to recognize words/images on choice board.
Locates and transcribes words from word bank with moderate support.
Independently navigates the word bank and correctly uses items.
Sunny Plans • Teacher Guide Page 2 of 2
2
Create
Draw your exciting ideas, label them, or write your summer story.
3
Share
Show your writing, read it out loud, or talk about it with friends!
