Good Sensory Learning Blog

I am so pleased to announce my 12th Go Dyslexia video podcast: Dyslexia: Building Vocabulary and Semantic Skills with Infercabulary, featuring Guest Beth Lawrence and Host Dr. Erica Warren.            This blog shares my most recent video podcast, featuring dyslexia expert Beth Lawrence, MA, CCC-SLP. Beth is an Orton Gillingham trained, certified speech-language pathologist, and CEO of Communication Aptitude (dba InferCabulary and WordQuations).  This is the 12th of many free video podcasts for Go Dyslexia! During the video podcast, Beth and I talk about Infercabulary, a fun and multisensory online site that offers vocabulary and semantic...

When studying learning and cognition in graduate school, I was drawn to the theories of Lev Vygotsky, a Russian Psychologist from the early 1900s that presented a sociocultural approach to learning and cognition. He offered a theory that I believe presents optimal classroom instruction for all learners. What is Vygotsky’s Theoretical Lens? At the heart of Vygotsky's theoretical lens is that social interaction plays a key role in the development of learning and cognition. Vygotsky claimed: "Every function in the child's cultural development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level; first, between people (inner-psychological)...

I'm happy to continue a discussion on listening skills from my prior blog post, "What are the 7 Root Origins of Poor Listening Skills?"  This past blog reviewed the cognitive skills behind listening.  Now, I would love to share the games and activities that I use to improve listening skills in my own students.  It's all in the Presentation: Here are three magical steps: Motivating lesson titles can hook your learners and feed eager and enthusiastic attitudes.  Upbeat and animated presentations can grab your students' attention and get them engrossed in the content.  Integrate fun and interactive games that reinforce the concepts so...

Come get a free copy!! Kids don't have to learn and practice new knowledge by plugging through long lists of words or completing worksheets. I am a firm believer that the repetition they need can be achieved through fun and engaging games!  Why Puppy Party is a Winner with Struggling Students Puppy Party is one of my reading games that makes my students squeal with delight. Kids travel around the game board collecting puppies while learning the short vowel sounds. The winner is the player with the most puppies. It is great for small groups, learning centers, or individual remediation. It...

Wouldn’t you like to be the first person to know if your lesson was a flop or your students misinterpreted your words or intentions? Whether you like it or not, your students are continually evaluating your teaching materials and instructional style. Their opinions travel quickly to peers, parents, tutors, advisors, and school administrators. Frequently, the last person to hear this feedback is often the actual teacher. In fact, this negative chatter, and exaggerations can turn a minor incident or criticism into a big ordeal. What’s more, the spread of negative gossip can create lasting misconceptions. Listen to Your Students Ideas...