Learning Specialist and Teacher Materials

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Fun Halloween Activity that Strengthens Language Skills

Weaknesses in language processing can be difficult to remediate, and finding fun activities that can help strengthen this cognitive processing area is a further challenge. I designed my Following Directions - The Fun and Easy Way series to offer activities that help students develop listening skills, attention to detail, vocabulary, mental flexibility, spatial skills, and more. They were initially created for my own private practice, and now they are available to the public. Each page is filled with colorful images and students get to draw, complete mazes and work through process of elimination exercises that are fun and engaging. For added enjoyment, I am now creating holiday exercises that can be used throughout the school year. My latest download offers three Halloween handouts. Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Material...

Help for Struggling Readers: Creating Your Own Color Overlays

You can create your own overlays by using whole sheets or cutting strips of transparent, colored report covers, dividers or overhead projector film. Step one: Buy a variety of colorful transparent sheets. You can use - color, transparency film color, transparent report covers (plastic) color, transparent dividers (plastic) All of these options can be found at office supply stores. Step two: Everyone is different. Let your students try out the different colors and see which one they like the best. Step three: For some students, keep whole sheets so that students have the option of changing the background color of the entire page of text. Other students might like a thin strip of color, as it can help with tracking from one line to the next. I make them a variety of lengths and widths, and often let students decide for themselves. Note: The strips also make wonderful book marks. Step four (optional) : Place a plain sticker on the en...

How Can Books on Tape Improve Reading Speed and Reading Comprehension?

Listening to books on tape or to someone reading aloud can improve reading comprehension because the brain does not have to work on decoding the words but can simply focus on the content. But merely laying back and passively listening is not always the best approach, because it is easy for personal thoughts to interrupt the text content. Therefore, for this mode of learning to be most effective, it is best for the listener to do one of two things: Scan the text: Scanning the text while listening will not only help maintain attention, but it will assist with sight word recognition. Additionally, students that decode words one letter at a time while reading will begin to see whole words and phrases. Before long, these skills will apply when the student reads independently, and whole words recognition and reading speed will improve. Visualize the content: Picturing the characters, the setting and the plot helps to sustain attention, improve comprehension and it also makes the...

Teaching Self Control Leads to Academic Success

Come and learn from Dr. Sam Wang about the common myths about the brain as well as the incredible impact that the teaching of playful planning and self control can have on our childrens' future. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05vitpSY1vU&feature=relmfu Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials . She is also the director of Learning to Learn and Learning Specialist Courses . · Blog: https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/ · YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1 · Podcast: https://godyslexia.com/ · Store: http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/ & www.dyslexiamaterials.com · Courses: http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/ · Newsletter Sign-up: https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400 ...

Monster Multiplication: A New Multisensory and Mindful Approach to Long Multiplication - Free Promotional Copy

Just yesterday I uploaded my new product Monster Multiplication: A New Multisensory and Mindful Approach to Long Multiplication. If you would like to be entered in a contest to receive a free copy, please follow this blog or "like my facebook page" http://www.facebook.com/goodsensorylearning and follow one of my Pinterest boards http://pinterest.com/drericawarren/ Then send me an email with your email address to let me know (I will not use your email for any purpose other then sending the lucky winners their free promotional copy) - erica@goodsensorylearning.com. You will then be entered to win! I will be drawing two winners and sending the promotional copies on Halloween. To learn more about the product CLICK HERE Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials . She is also the director of Learning to Learn and ...

10 Ways to Help Students Cope with Making Mistakes

One of the most valuable things we can teach children is how to cope with making mistakes. Making mistakes is a human quality that all students need be comfortable with. They need to know that if we didn’t make mistakes, there would be nothing to learn. However, most all students strive for the recognition of a perfect score on assignments and tests. Even a single mistake can create anxiety and disappointment. Unfortunately, perfect scores continue to be rewarded and mistakes frowned upon. So what can we all do to help? Here are ten suggestions: 1) Be comfortable admitting when you make a mistake. Show students that it is okay to be wrong and that you can use it as an opportunity to learn. 2) Make sure to point out what a student has done right on an assignment as well as what was incorrect. 3) Always give your students the opportunity to fix mistakes so that they can learn from them and correct any misconceptions. 4) Communicate to your students that their m...

Careless, Lazy and Unmotivated are Three Labels that Should be Banned from Education

Kids never strive to be careless, lazy or unmotivated and referring to a student in this way never helps a situation. In fact, many kids that hear these labels again and again can develop a sense of learned helplessness. I’ll never forget a student of mine coming into one of our sessions in a terrible frame exclaimed, “I’m careless and unmotivated!” He slid a graded assignment across the table in front of me. Red marks cut across his work and in bold, scarring letters and exclamation points the teacher had told Jake that he had made many careless errors. Even though Jake’s grade was an 88, it took me almost an hour to convince him that he was not careless and unmotivated. Jake had learning disabilities as well as ADHD and I knew the errors that he had made had nothing to do with care or effort. The poor guy was so detached and dejected, he hadn’t even evaluated the mishaps, and when he finally looked at them, he could see that they were all unintentional...

Five Specific Ways to Integrate Mindfulness into the Classroom

Mindfulness in education is a rising topic of discussion. Mindfulness refers to being completely in touch with and aware of the present moment, as well as maintaining a non-judgmental approach to one's inner experience. It helps to develop emotional intelligence and it teaches students to pay attention on purpose. What’s more, mindfulness can help improve test scores, classroom behaviors, and stress management. So how can teachers integrate mindfulness into the classroom? 1) Teachers must practice mindfulness in their own lives. If a teacher does not have the time to meditate and listen to his or her breath and thoughts, they can be mindful or present even while doing household chores. For example, instead of quickly watering the plants while chatting on the phone. One can pull themselves into the present and find the joy of offering plants sustenance. Notice each plant and appreciate the beauty and contribution it makes to your home. 2) Define and discuss mindfulness with y...

10 Ways to Teach Planning, Time Management and Organization

Teaching students planning, time management and organizational skills is necessary in the classroom as well as at home. Although some find executive functioning to be quite obvious, there are those that need to learn the process. Here are 10 recommendations: © 2012 Good Sensory Learning Click on image to learn more Provide verbal, written and even electronic reminders. Let students select their preferred calendar option. There are daily, weekly and even monthly calendars. In addition, a calendar can be maintained on electronic devices, computers, wall charts, as well as printed planners. Offer a calm, supportive and mindful environment. Avoid name calling. Using terms like "careless" or "unmotivated" only creates negative energy, frustration and helplessness. Provide short breaks. Schedule "unstructured time" in your daily routine. Offer a structured and organized environment with clear expectations. Set an example and sh...

Dry Erase Pockets Can Save Time and Money

I just love these dry erase pockets. Students enjoy working on activities when they are able to use colorful dry erase markers! You can save a ton of time and money by not having to copy handouts. I personally got 25 pockets. They were quickly filled with worksheets, large graph paper and more. They are perfect for doing activities with clocks, tracing letters, fractions, and graphing to name a few. Have any of you used these? Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials . She is also the director of Learning to Learn and Learning Specialist Courses . · Blog: https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/ · YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1 · Podcast: https://godyslexia.com/ · Store: http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/ & www.dyslexiam...

Teaching Higher Order Language Skills: Abstract and Critical Thinking as Well as Multiple Meanings

Concrete learners, as well as those who struggle with higher order language processing, often experience difficulties when shifting to more abstract ways of learning. Difficulties may arise when multiple meanings are used in conversation or when reading. Consequently, “reading between the lines” or searching for a deeper meaning can be a challenge. Additionally, concrete or rigid ways of thinking can create miscommunication. It’s easy to misunderstand someone’s intended meaning when they are being sarcastic or they are using unfamiliar vocabulary. I’m sure you have had one of those ah-ha moments in life where you thought, “Oh, that’s what she meant!” Finally, difficulties interpreting jokes, puns, or inferences can lead to one feeling confused or embarrassed. I am sure we all know of a time when someone told a joke and although we laughed along with everyone else, we did not really “get it.” Although learning this important skill is a process for many students, it does not ...

Mindful, Fun, Multisensory Materials for Learning the Vowel Combinations or Vowel Teams

One of the most difficult reading concepts to learn in the English language is the vowel combinations or vowel teams. Well, not anymore. The process is now fun, memorable and multisensory with Vowel Combinations Made Easy. It was created for my own students and I have found it to be extremely successful. Students learn their vowel combinations by finding them hidden in images, coloring, doing mazes and playing card games. What's more, I am now offering a free sampling of my workbook, so you can have the opportunity to see some of the activities. If you are interested in getting the free sample pages and activities CLICK HERE Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials . She is also the director of Learning to Learn and Learning Specialist Courses . · Blog: https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/ ...

Learning Specialist and Teacher Materials - Good Sensory Learning

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