Case
Why Wont Will Write?

I have a 9th grade student, lets call him Will. Will won't write. He is very intelligent, creative and a strong leader. He reads at a high level than anyone in the classroom. He is always asking questions and participating in class discussions, showing a deeper understanding and thought process than many of my other students. He even seems to be maturing at a faster rate than the others, doing away with childish behaviors and showing more and more self control. However, when given a writing assignment, he just sits. He understands the prompt, we will talk one on one and develop a plan of action, but then when I walk away, he is content just sitting and waiting away the allotted time staring at the ceiling. I have even allowed him to dictate some the content and then asked him to continue on without me, but he doesn't. I have set up a reward system for him, I have punished him, I have called home, I have written an office referral (for refusing to do assignment), I have ignored him and I have tried to give him extra attention. Nothing seems to be working. What should I do to win Will over and warrant wonderfully written work?

Posted on: 10/19/15 | Views: 1469
Solution #1
Top Solution
Hello qasytu, I believe a conference between the student and the teacher needs to occur. There has to be a reason for his lack of interest in writing. Try to get him to talk to you about any possible difficulties and move on from their. Another suggestion I have is to allow him to create some of his writing assignments on the computer. It is the age of technology, and he may respond better to getting the opportunity to type his assignment instead of write it with pencil/pen and paper.

This is a very good and detailed article.

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Solution #2
Top Solution
Writing can be intimidating to even the most intelligent student. I suggest starting with quick writes. Start by telling the class that they will do a quick write. I always use index cards. The students see it as a cool new way to express themselves and less area to cover.The rules are your pencil does not stop moving for a minute. I set a timer in clear view. Once the minute is up pencils have to go down. You may only share what is on your index card. Engage Will along with the rest of the class with a higher order question based on the content being taught at the time. Then conduct the quick write. The quick write approach is meaningful. It will give Will another way to share his intelligence and insight with the class but only if he has written it on the index card within the minute!If this is successful extend the quick write time.

If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this.

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Solution #3
Paragraph frames may be helpful. These allow students to know exactly what information they should be writing. Will may have an issue with getting started or knowing what format to write in. Paragraph frames may help him. Also, it may help if you sat down and actually wrote with him. During our writing time, I take out my composition notebook and write with my students. This motivates them because they don't feel like they are the only ones doing work.

This has always worked for me in the past as well!

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Solution #4
I would recommend having a conference with the student where he can express freely why he is reluctant to write in your classroom.
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Solution #5
I would recommend having a conference with the student where he can express freely why he is reluctant to write in your classroom.
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Solution #6
I would recommend having a conference with the student where he can express freely why he is reluctant to write in your classroom.
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Solution #7
I would recommend having a conference with the student where he can express freely why he is reluctant to write in your classroom.
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Solution #8
I think talking privately to the student and getting to the bottom of the issue will prove to be the fix. If you can find out why he doesn't want to write then you be able to change that.
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Solution #9
Do you have ANY samples of Will's writing? Just to prove he CAN write, I mean. He's definitely understanding the material, according to your description. He cares about the class and is willing to participate. He knows how to read. Is it possible Will may had dysgraphia? I don't hear about dysgraphia as much as dyslexia so I'm not sure if this possibility has occurred to many people. If you don't have any samples then this possibility is worth considering.
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Solution #10
I think that there must be a reason that Will won't write. Having a personal conference with him and talking one on one may work. If there is a specific reason why he won't write, it can be targeted and fixed.
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Solution #11
There are many ways you could approach this issue. You could have a conference with the student or with him and his parents to discuss why he won't write and create a plan to help him do so. If he is simply intimidated by the prospect of writing or doesn't know how to start, you could set up an example for what he needs to write (like a writing frame). You can also give him a starting sentence as that could be enough to prompt his writing. You could also have him dictate a sentence and then ask him to write it down. Do so for the next sentence and so on. Eventually you take away the scaffolding a step at a time, and he will hopefully write on his own.
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Solution #12
I think talking to him to find out why he wont write would be the first step. The response would change the way to help him. Maybe allow him to record his thoughts and then listen to them back and write based on this would help him.
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Solution #13
Will may not write due to a lack of interest in the subject, or simply apathy to the idea of education. Does Will earn good grades without trying? The education system often fails children who mature faster than others, and they can experience a high amount of burnout and apathy if they feel that it's pointless to try if they're going to get a good grade anyways.
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Solution #14
I would suggest a meeting between Will, his parents, the guidance counselor, and you. Maybe Will finds the assignment intimidating; trying to create a certain amount of paragraphs and reach a word count. I would try to start him of with smaller assignments, only writing a sentence or two and work his way up to an essay over time.
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Solution #15
I would talk to Will and ask him why he won't write, he might not feel comfortable with his handwriting and is embarrassed to write.
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Solution #16
Have you ever tried talking with him about his actual ability to write. I would reach out to other teachers and see if they have the same issue with the student. He might be ashamed of his writing ability because it might not equal to his verbal abilities.
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Solution #17
Maybe have him read what he is writing first, to engage him. Encourage him that he is an astonishing writer, and start off with topics he likes.
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Solution #18
Did you try if he can type instead of writing? Maybe this will work and it might be easy to him to express the words.
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Solution #19
Have you tried allowing him to use a computer or other devices than paper and pen. Maybe the student is imbaressed by the mistakes he makes on paper.
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Solution #20
I think a conference with a counselor, parent and will to figure out why he refuses to write. Then we could offer him homework where he can do his writings at home.
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Solution #21
Have you asked Will if he can write? He may have dyslexia or another disability that hinders him from writing. It seems like a serious problem so try to have him tested. In the meantime, allow him to use the text-to-talk feature on a tablet for his assignments.
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Solution #22
I would suggest talk-to-text programs that convert speech to text. If he can talk with you about his work, he should be able to convert it to text with this simple program. Most computers can use it, as long as there is a microphone attached. After he's had some growth, you should still continue to monitor his writing. He may have a learning disability that limits his abilities to write.

This is a very good and detailed article.

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Solution #23
You should give him assignments that challenge him to research and think about what to write, rather than a topic he may find boring.

I would never do this! This is wrong!

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