Good Sensory Learning Blog

Free Advice for Mastering Voice Typing with Google Docs

Posted by Erica Warren on

Voice to text, or what Google Docs calls, voice typing, is an application used by more and more learners. This technology allows students to dictate ideas to a computer, and it types for them. While learners need to get comfortable speaking clearly and dictating punctuation, this way of writing can be extremely beneficial for those that like to express their ideas aloud, as well as those that struggle with spelling or typing skills. In fact, for many, it frees the mind to focus on content. Although many students toy with this technology, if they had the knowledge of all the...

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Number 1 Trick to Improving a Student's Writing

Posted by Erica Warren on

There are many effective strategies worth instructing that can improve a student's writing, but my number one, favorite strategy is teaching the effective use of a thesaurus. What is a Thesaurus? A thesaurus is a book or online site that lists words in groups of synonyms or related concepts. What are the Benefits of Teaching Students to Use a Thesaurus? Teach your students or children to use a thesaurus.  This offers many gains and can be used to: Expand vocabulary - Using a thesaurus helps students increase their usable word choices. Avoid repetition - Consulting a thesaurus guides students to...

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How to Inspire Kids that Hate to Write

Posted by Erica Warren on

How I love to get challenging and difficult students, because they always help me to grow and find new, exciting pathways to learning. For the past few months, I have been working with a discouraged and easily agitated 4th grader that, "hates to write." In fact, he would shut down and spin into a tantrum when asked to hold a pencil. So, what can we do to reach students when they are disempowered and shut down to learning altogether?  Let me share some tools and strategies with you! Why Do Some Students Struggle to Write? Writing, like reading, is a...

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New York State Tests - 10 Reasons to Opt Out

Posted by Erica Warren on

In New York State, most middle schoolers are amidst state-mandated standardized tests. This involves four days of testing for ELA and Math, and many families debate about whether it is best to let their children take these tests or opt out altogether. What is the Purpose of the Testing?  According to the NYS Department of Education: "The federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 maintains the requirement that students in Grades 3-8 are tested once a year in English Language Arts and Math."  They purport that, "The tests are designed to measure how well students are mastering the learning standards that guide...

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Why Copying from a Board is Ineffective for Dyslexics

Posted by Erica Warren on

Having to take notes by copying from a board or projection while a teacher is lecturing is challenging for any learner, because it requires students to multitask and constantly shift modes of learning. The process demands students to read, listen and write while making sense of the material. However, for students with dyslexia this teaching method can be disastrous. How Has Technology Impacted Note-taking? Before the rise of educational technology, students used to copy while the teacher wrote on the blackboard, however, with the use of devices such as the Smartboard and software like PowerPoint, the words just magically appear....

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