Huge Back to School Sale

Come check out the sale on August 12th and 13th!  I'll have some wonderful deals!!  Don't forget the promo code: BTS12

The Ten Visualization Skills Needed to Improve Reading, Writing and Learning

Visualization is an important skill to master as it can lead to improved attention and a better memory. In fact, mental images can be used as a secret weapon to tackle the encoding of new material. It can be used when reading. Accessing your mind's eye can make the scenery, characters and plot of a book come alive in your imagination. Also, it can be used for writing. Picturing a story before you write it can improve descriptive writing and it will also make the writing process a lot more fun. Finally, visualization can assist when listening to new information. Taking the time to make mental images when listening to a lecture can help you to sustain attention and can make the material far more memorable. So how can you improve your ability to visualize? There are ten visualization skills that need to be addressed.

When making visualizations in your mind's eye, try to develop each of the ten areas by asking yourself questions like: What are all the colors? How big are all the objects? Are their any important shapes? How many objects are there all together? What is the mood? From what perspective am I viewing my visualization? What is the background? What direction are the objects facing? Is there any movement in my visualizations? Are their other senses I could use to enhance my visualizations - such as sound, taste and touch? These are a lot of skills to develop, but with the right exercises your visualization skills can improve dramatically. Do you teach the visualization skills in your class?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

www.goodsensorylearning.com

For a free copy of the Ten Visualization Skills as well as Power Points lessons  CLICK HERE

Back to School Sale!

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 and you can save a ton of time and money by not having to copy handouts.  You can buy as few as five pockets (see above link) or as many as 25 (see link below).  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?

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 have to be awkward or difficult.  In fact, practicing abstract thinking can be fun.   That is the goal of my new workbook Abstract Thinking and Multiple Meanings: Developing Higher Order Language and Mental Flexibility Through Critical Thinking and Visualization.  It was written to engage learners and help them to conceptualize and practice higher order language skills.  

www.goodsensorylearning.com

If you would like to download a free sampling of the workbook, CLICK HERE

If you are interested in purchasing the 58 page workbook, CLICK HERE

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.  I have made the process fun, memorable and multisensory with my workbook entitled 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

If you are interested in the full digital version CLICK HERE

If you would like to purchase a hard copy of the workbook CLICK HERE

www.goodsensorylearning.com

Teaching Inference Skills Can Be Fun

 

Teaching students about how to make inferences can be challenging.  Unlike most of the concrete learning that they encounter, this is an abstract notion.  However, most students love the idea of finding or uncovering a hidden message.  So, explaining that, like a detective, they can solve the secret code, students will find this both appealing and exciting. Here are four activities that you can do to help even the youngest of learners find joy in searching for inferences. 

1.    Look through magazine images and see if you can uncover any hidden messages.
2.    When traveling look at billboards and see if you can point out any inferences.
3.    Look at the images on book covers and see what kind of hidden messages they might include that tell you a little bit about the story.
4.    When watching TV pay attention to the advertisements.  What kinds of secret messages are implied?

If you would prefer to use a 60 page workbook, with images, activities and games, you can always purchase Making Inferences, The Fun and Easy Way to Understand and Practice Implied Meaning.  I also offer a free downloadable sample @  CLICK HERE

 

Dr. Erica Warren is a Learning Specialist and Educational Therapist that shares her unique multi-sensory and fun activities through her many publications.  Products are available as downloads and print at her websites to view all her products at www.goodsensorylearning.com & www.dyslexiamaterials.com