The Paragraph Writing Strategy Instructor's Manual (Learning Strategies Curriculum)

In almost every educational setting there are some students who are low achievers. Although the causes of low achievement are varied, in many instances students perform poorly because they have not learned "how to learn". Recent research has shown that students can be taught how to learn by teaching them learning strategies. Learning Strategies are techniques, principles, or rules which enable a student to solve problems and complete tasks independently. In short, learning strategy instruction focuses on both how to learn and how to effectively use what has been learned. The current version of paragraph writing instruction was created after reviews of student paragraphs produced in the early field tests indicated that students needed to learn more about the paragraph writing process than we originally believed. In order for a learning strategy, like the Paragraph Writing Strategy, to serve a student well, it must be learned to an automatic level. Just as we use repetition to teach beginning readers to master basic sound symbol relationships, we teach older students to master task specific learning strategies through much structured practice. The principles outlined have been found to be critical for instructional success with the Paragraph Writing Strategy. Learning Strategies Curriculum: ACQUISITION - Word Identification, Paraphrasing, Self-Questioning, Visual Imagery, Interpreting Visual Aids, Multipass. STORAGE - First Letter Mnemonic, Paired Associates, Listening and Notetaking. EXPRESSION AND DEMONSTRATION OF COMPETENCE: Sentences, Paragraphs, Error Monitoring, Themes, Assignment Completion, Test Taking.