Explicit, Systematic Instruction

◼ MindWing’s Approach is Explicit

Explicit Instruction is making the skill obvious to the student: the teacher models, explains, and provides scaffolded practice as well as independent practice.

The Braidy the StoryBraid^® doll, the Story Grammar Marker^® manipulative, Talk to Write, Write to Learn™’s “A Day in the Park” Activity Booklet™ and the ThemeMaker^® Student Tool all have patented MindWing ICONS which explicitly teach each part of story grammar (episodes) or expository text structure. MindWing’s tools are explicit in nature because they are meaningful to the child using them. They are bright, colorful, multi-sensory, hands-on, kinesthetic tools. Teachers are trained as to how to scaffold and model with the tools. Children use the tools in their own hands to facilitate working memory and organization. Our approach furthers this explicit instruction by guiding teachers in matching children’s literature or text in any of the content areas with these child-friendly tools as examples of each stage of narrative development or each expository text structure. The children have their own tools and maps to use in independent practice. The goal is that once children internalize these text structures, they become independent learners. Using MindWing’s tools and lessons also makes differentiated instruction easier for teachers.

◼ MindWing’s Approach is Systematic

Systematic Instruction is following a sequence of development for language and reading acquisition. This instruction should be carefully thought-out, strategic and designed before activities and lessons planned.

MindWing’s Instructional Guides (Manuals) follow the well-researched narrative developmental sequence. MindWing’s iconic developmental charts help teachers with informal assessment to inform instruction. Our tools also include a similar developmental sequence with a consistent iconic component for expository (information) text.

◼ MindWing’s Approach Provides Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated Instruction is matching instruction to meet the different needs of learners in a given classroom.

Using MindWing’s systematic, developmental checklists and informal assessments, teachers will be able to decide where to begin to scaffold instruction for the various types of learners in their classroom. Then, teachers can use MindWing’s Instructional Guides to help them design instruction to help students achieve individual student goals.

◼ MindWing’s Approach is Comprehensive

Comprehensive Instruction is application of a methodology across learning areas: oral language development, listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing. It is instruction that is more intensive, more explicit, more systematic, and more motivating than previous instruction.

MindWing is for use across the curriculum in Speaking (literate oral language development), Listening Comprehension (Read-Alouds), Reading Comprehension (English Language Arts), Content Areas (Science and Social Studies), Writing and Socialization (social-emotional development and pragmatics). MindWing can be used throughout all grade levels and allows for phonemic awareness, phonics and vocabulary to be modeled within its structure for comprehension. Use of MindWing’s hands-on tools and activities make this methodology both engaging and motivating for students.

◼ MindWing Helps Children (and Teachers) to Make Connections

Students making connections among texts, themselves, and the world is important for success in school and in life. MindWing’s systematic, explicit approach assists children in developing deep comprehension and critical thinking skills. Once the child understands the text at this level, the child begins to make connections. Shown is an example of these connections with children’s literature.