Good Sensory Learning Blog
10 Ways to Help Students Cope with Making Mistakes
Posted by Erica Warren on
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. Students Strive for Perfection 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...
Teaching Higher Order Language Skills: Abstract and Critical Thinking as Well as Multiple Meanings
Posted by Erica Warren on
Concrete learners, as well as those who struggle with higher order language processing, often experience difficulties when shifting to more abstract ways of learning. What does this all mean? What is Abstract Thinking? Abstract thinking is the ability to make sense of concepts that are real, but not visible in the world such as wisdom or freedom. It enables us to infer meaning and understand ideas that are not tied to physical objects. What are Multiple Meanings? Some words have more than one meaning, or multiple meanings. For example, the word bolt can mean to run quickly, it can refer to a metal...
Five Specific Ways to Integrate Mindfulness into the Classroom
Posted by Erica Warren on
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? Here are 5 comprehensive suggestions: Teachers must practice mindfulness in their own lives If a teacher does not have the time to meditate and listen to his or her...
Fun Halloween Activity that Strengthens Language Skills
Posted by Erica Warren on
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 the 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...
Dry Erase Pockets Can Save Time and Money
Posted by Erica Warren on
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. Personally, 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. Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning. She is also the director of Learning to Learn and Learning Specialist...