How to STILL Be Multi-Sensory During COVID19: Hygiene-Friendly and Remote-Friendly MindWing Products

In the past couple of weeks, I have spoken with many friends and colleagues about the topic du jour: What does “back to school” look like for you and for your children? The answers range from full-time, in-class school days to full-time remote learning, to every other day in-person school with other days being remote, to weekly alternating student cohorts, to hybrid models, and more. While we, at MindWing, focus most of the time on the social-emotional, language and literacy aspects of these challenges, today we want to focus on the practical – using the Story Grammar Marker^® Approach and related multi-sensory tools regardless of venue or platform.

Virtual Instructional Materials for Remote Learning are Available

• All of our manuals have downloadable forms and activities in PDF form for distance learning use.
• All of our hands-on tools can be used by the teacher, SLP, specialist on a video conference platform to teach, guide, and model. Students can follow along with their own tools at home, such as a Student Story Grammar Marker^®
• During the shut-down and summer months, we made 144 of our colorful, unique icons and images available digitally for use in distance learning. They can be found here: Distance Learning Products.
• NEW! VIRTUAL BACKGROUNDS! We now also have MindWing Virtual Posters, which are actually 18 high resolution “virtual backgrounds” to use as visuals for instruction within video conference platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype or any platform that allows you to upload your own custom virtual background/wallpaper. (See image below of MindWing Virtual Posters - Virtual Backgrounds $19.95).

• NEW! MindWing Membership! Very soon, we are also launching a Membership program for colleagues to subscribe to for all kinds of support from daily motivational mini-lessons to monthly thematic unit eBooks, to bi-monthly webinars (more details coming soon)!

Washable or Single Use Products for In-Person, in the Classroom and in Therapy

What about HANDS ON TOOLS in therapy and the classroom? How can we still have multi-sensory, tactile learning and be cognizant of the hygiene and sanitation guidelines?

Story Grammar Marker^® is a hands-on, manipulative and many of our other products are kinesthetic as well. This multi-sensory aspect of our many tools is one of the most effective and engaging features for both educators and students, alike.

Here is some feedback we have gotten so far from teachers, specialists, and SLPs about how they are using our materials (in class/therapy) during this pandemic while limiting the spread:

• PRINTABLES: In our manuals, ALL of our maps and worksheets are printable and several have hands-on qualities (foldables, cubes, booklets) and are single use – each student can have their own to work on.
• STUDENT SGM^®s FOR EACH STUDENT: We heard from one speech language pathologist who shared that each student has a Ziplock bag in her speech room, and in it they keep their own student Story Grammar Marker^®. It is actually ideal that each student have their own student Story Grammar Marker^®!
• WASHABLE/WIPEABLE/Single Use PRODUCTS: Since there is a concern about sanitizing shared materials, we want to remind you of many of our products that can be used in the in-class/in-therapy setting that are able to be wiped and cleaned. (SEE BELOW)
• 30% OFF BUNDLES! In order to best support those of you teaching in person and those providing in-person therapy, we have bundled these products that are either washable, single use or wipeable. Each bundle gives you a 30% SAVINGS over individual purchase! (SEE BELOW)

THEMEMAKER^®
Washable/Single Use Bundle
$24.95 ($36 value)

• ThemeMaker Tool with Pen
• TM Mini Magnets
• TM Stickers
• TM Mini Poster
• SGM Quick Reference Pen

BRAIDY THE STORYBRAID^®
Washable/Single Use Bundle
$49.95 ($73 Value)

• Braidy Stickers
• Build A Braidy
• Braidy Checkers with Pen
• Our Friend Braidy Poster

Since the SGM^®’s design is rooted in research and its colorful, distinctive icons make the whole approach come alive, we want children to be able to continue to experience as much of our hands-on features as possible.

Let us know how YOU are using our tools in a way that engages your students, while limiting the spread of COVID19!

School photo created by freepik - www.freepik.com