1st grader struggling with writing -- what to do

[Anonymous]

My first grader has always gotten P grades in MCPS in basically all assignments, but got an I on every writing assignment in MP2. It only just populated in the gradebook, so I wasn't aware he was struggling. I'm concerned that he is not on grade level. I'm going to reach out to the teacher to request more information, but I am curious what resources, if any, MCPS has for kids who are below grade level in writing but on grade level in reading. Is this the sort of thing one would request an intervention for, through an IEP or 504 plan, and if so, what are the avialable interventions?

The assignments he got an I on include things like writing at least three sentences, using correct punctuation, using upper and lower case letters, and planning/writing/editing an assignment. Does not appear to have met any grade level standards for these assignments.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

He is a boy, so this is normal. The nerves do not reach the ends of their fingers until after they've turned 6 or 7 whereas with girls they are developed at 4/5.

Universally known but not always discussed. This is why they have trouble holding a pencil / crayon / pen.

Just give it time.

[Anonymous]

I am not going to sit and wait. I’m concerned. His dad has dyslexia and sitting and waiting for things to improve never helped him. -OP

[Anonymous]

It's bad if mcps is pointing out there's a problem. Don't expect any help from the school. Get a private neuropsych done and begin your own intervention plan with tutoring. You can use the private neuropsycj for an iep or 504 but know the supports from the.school will be limited

- mcps educator

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's bad if mcps is pointing out there's a problem. Don't expect any help from the school. Get a private neuropsych done and begin your own intervention plan with tutoring. You can use the private neuropsycj for an iep or 504 but know the supports from the.school will be limited

- mcps educator

This. Is there anything else going on other than writing?Other behaviors or symptoms?

[Anonymous]

An I is not below grade level.

I - "In progress toward meeting the grade-level standards taught this marking period."

We had plenty of I that later became A. Do a little writing at home. When my daughter was struggling, we would read a book together and I would write a question down for her to respond to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not going to sit and wait. I’m concerned. His dad has dyslexia and sitting and waiting for things to improve never helped him. -OP

If this is your concern, get an evaluation from an expert. Don't wait for the school system to flag it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's bad if mcps is pointing out there's a problem. Don't expect any help from the school. Get a private neuropsych done and begin your own intervention plan with tutoring. You can use the private neuropsycj for an iep or 504 but know the supports from the.school will be limited

- mcps educator

You're a so called "mcps educator" and don't even know that an "I" is not below grade or there's a problem?
If you're going to troll, at least make it believable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's bad if mcps is pointing out there's a problem. Don't expect any help from the school. Get a private neuropsych done and begin your own intervention plan with tutoring. You can use the private neuropsycj for an iep or 504 but know the supports from the.school will be limited

- mcps educator

You're a so called "mcps educator" and don't even know that an "I" is not below grade or there's a problem?
If you're going to troll, at least make it believable.

+1. And MCPS didn't even say it was a problem. They literally said it's not. The OP needs to chill. Poor kid has a mother who is an overachiever.

[Anonymous]

Did you get assignments back? Have him do similar ones at home. My 3rd grader routinely missed directions and would write 2 sentences instead of 3 and other things that were not correct. Make sure he can read the directions fully and understand what's expected of him.

[Anonymous]

I agree with other posters that you don't need to freak out about the I's alone.

If the MAP-R is showing he's below grade level, that's different.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for a workbooks to help him with writing, I recommend the Spectrum Writing 1st grade book.

https://a.co/d/37TlWsq

[Anonymous]

^ writing on my phone. Sorry for the grammatical error.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My first grader has always gotten P grades in MCPS in basically all assignments, but got an I on every writing assignment in MP2. It only just populated in the gradebook, so I wasn't aware he was struggling. I'm concerned that he is not on grade level. I'm going to reach out to the teacher to request more information, but I am curious what resources, if any, MCPS has for kids who are below grade level in writing but on grade level in reading. Is this the sort of thing one would request an intervention for, through an IEP or 504 plan, and if so, what are the avialable interventions?

The assignments he got an I on include things like writing at least three sentences, using correct punctuation, using upper and lower case letters, and planning/writing/editing an assignment. Does not appear to have met any grade level standards for these assignments.

Thanks in advance.

Step 1 before panic would be to ask his teacher if he is on or below grade level.

If below grade level then if i was me, I would get him some workbooks and do more writing practice.

If then after that he is still behind you can request 504/IEP evaluation from the school or go private ($$$).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An I is not below grade level.

I - "In progress toward meeting the grade-level standards taught this marking period."

We had plenty of I that later became A. Do a little writing at home. When my daughter was struggling, we would read a book together and I would write a question down for her to respond to.

Yes but if you are I at the end of the marking period, you have not met the standard. That's P. An I on the interim would be fine -- different if it's on the report card for the marking period.