Frequently Asked Questions
MindWing’s SGM® Teacher Marker
What makes the Story Grammar Marker® and MindWing Concepts’ instructional materials so unique?
MindWing Concepts’ research-based approach incorporates hands-on tools with patented icons that help educators put research and theory into practice in the classroom and in therapy. Our materials are colorful, dynamic and child-friendly. There is nothing else on the market with the longevity of this methodology that targets this set of skills that also includes the multi-sensory tools research base, developmental nature, progress monitoring and assessment tools and application to a diverse population.
Why is The Story Grammar Marker® important today?
For several reasons. First, there is an increased use of standardized, high-stakes educational testing at the local, state and national levels. Second, it is estimated that two-thirds of American children cannot read, comprehend and communicate orally and in writing up to grade level. Finally, a growing number of students are having difficulty comprehending text necessary for the information age. The Story Grammar Marker® and related materials are aimed specifically at enhancing student capabilities and success by linking language development to literacy.
Why is the Story Grammar Marker® and MindWing Concepts’ additional materials so successful?
The Story Grammar Marker® is successful because it is fun, easy to use and its icon system creates a platform for learning the narrative structure of a story. Our other tools and materials build upon this and bridge into expository text as well as conversation – all three aspects of Discourse.
Professionals in the fields of speech and language pathology, DHH, Autism, reading, linguistics, cognitive psychology and counseling have used the SGM® and extended methodology and feel that it…
- appeals to all learning and communication styles because it is visual, tactile and kinesthetic
- is developmental and therefore versatile enough to work with multiple grade and ability levels, and has a solid research base
- provides a process for assessment, data collection and progress monitoring
- can be used to improve skills in students with a wide range of abilities and challenges
Parents can use the SGM® because it provides a simple approach for analyzing and conveying elements of a story to help with reading comprehension, writing and even conversation!
Kids LOVE it! Children love the SGM® because, as a tool, it can be held, manipulated and easily referenced, whether they are dealing with comprehension, writing, critical thinking or social interaction. The Story Grammar Marker® redefines and expands the traditional story sequencing of beginning-middle-end by providing easy to use, easy to remember icons that help parents and educators facilitate the oral and written language development of students. The fact that it is developmental in nature means that professionals and parents can assess where a student is and then provide intervention to increase their skills and communicative competence.
What skills does MindWing Concepts target?
- Oral language development
- Communication
- Comprehension
- Oral expression
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Organization
- Writing
- Perspective-taking
- Social interaction
- Empathy building
Who attends MindWing Concepts’ Professional Development workshops? / Buys our products and materials?
- Classroom teachers
- Speech language pathologists
- Autism specialists
- English Language Learner specialists
- Early childhood educators
- Special educators
- Literacy coaches
- Reading specialists
- School psychologists
- Adjustment counselors
- Para-Professionals
- Administrators/Supervisors
- Parents
Our research-based approach and hands-on tools are designed for early childhood, elementary, middle and high school students throughout the curriculum. Our focus is helping ALL children in general (and special) education classrooms — especially those classified as/diagnosed with:
- “At-risk”
- Language Learning Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- English Language Learners
- Social Learning Challenges
- Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Homeless Children
- Victims of Trauma, Abuse and Neglect
For which district initiatives, challenges and mandates can MindWing provide a solution?
- Response-to-Intervention (RtI)
- Differentiated Instruction
- Language and Literacy Instruction
- Early Childhood Education
- IEP Goals and Benchmarks and Special Education
- English Language Learners
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Common Core State Standards (And State Standards)
- Communication Skills for Traumatized, Abused or Neglected Children
Click Focus Area Below to Learn More:
How are MindWing Concepts’ workshops unique?
MindWing’s interactive workshops involve discussion, lecture, video, small and large group activities, modeling and guided practice. Participants learn about the research-base of MindWing’s approach and walk away with child-friendly tools to use the very next day to deliver and implement this methodology with their students.
How are individuals and school staffs trained by MindWing Concepts in this approach?
Over the past 25 years, MindWing Concepts, Inc. has provided hundreds of professional development workshops for professionals and parents…
- on-site in school districts and organizations
- through webinars available online and open to colleagues worldwide
- for advanced level certifications and technology integration throughout the year at our Boston affiliate The Ely Center as well as hosting workshops in Springfield, MA on various topics that are open to the public.