Good Sensory Learning Blog

If you are helping a struggling reader and you are looking for reading programs or dyslexia programs, it can be an overwhelming process to sift through the multitude of options that are currently available. Many approaches focus on the well-researched Orton-Gillingham-based instructional approach, however, each program focuses on its own materials and addresses a variety of different age groups. If you already have tried other phonemic awareness-based reading instruction and want to consider other reading programs, this blog will help you uncover some other great options. Searching for Great Reading Programs/Dyslexia Programs If you are helping a struggling reader and...

Most kids love to play card and board games, but did you know that many offer benefits far beyond the obvious social gains. Many games are actually good for cognition and can exercise the brain in areas like visual processing, processing speed, executive functioning, attention, and more! There are three types of benefits: Brain Breaks: Some games offer quick “brain breaks” that can be used during homework completion. A quick reward, when stamina is low, can energize the brain and regain focus. Brain Integration: Other games can help integrate the brain. Some students can lack integration between the two hemispheres...

Finding the best dyslexia screener can be a vital step for schools as well as parents, but sifting through the many options can be time consuming and challenging. I began the rigorous process of evaluating 13 different options and found the experience both interesting and surprising. While some instruments offer Likert scale questionnaires, others assess a student's cognitive or achievement abilities. The two screeners (which will remain nameless) that I thought would likely be the best, were disappointingly inadequate. A table below illustrates a summary of my findings, and I will let you come to your own conclusions.  The Table...

This week's blog features an interview with Joan Brennan, a teacher and inventor who designs reading tools for struggling readers.  We will focus our discussion on her ingenious Reading Focus Cards (Patent 7,565,759) and her Reading Focus Cards desktop application (Patent 8,360,779). Erica: Hi Joan. Can you tell us about your mission to help struggling readers? Joan: My mission and that of my company, Brennan Innovators, LLC, is to create and provide inexpensive yet helpful low-tech AND digital tools to challenged readers of all ages. In addition, as certified educators, we also present parent and educator workshops, consultation services and other professional development opportunities in...

Bringing a tactile, visual and experiential component into math instruction can bring the “fun factor” into your lessons. In addition, incorporating multisensory dynamics into lessons makes them more memorable and concrete. This activity is great for math centers, a classroom activity or individual remediation. When I teach place values, I like to engage my students with colorful pompoms and pill boxes! You can usually find pill boxes and bags of assorted pompoms at a Dollar Store. With a few color coded labels, that cover the days of the week, your pill boxes can be transformed into pompom compartments. I like...