More Effective Language Learning with Blank Magnetic Cards
According to French researchers, the sense of touch supports sight and hearing to provide more effective multi-sensory learning. In a March 25, 2009 Science Daily article titled “Touch Helps Make The Connection Between Sight And Hearing”, the research team further validated the connection of the sense of touch with language learning.
Paralleling this research, reading coaches have long relied on the Califone CardMaster and its pre-recorded Magnetic Card Programs to teach beginning readers or ELL students. While the technology is not new, the approach of utilizing the CardMaster allows for independent study while integrating the multi-modal approach of seeing, touching, and hearing as students learn.
In addition to using the pre-recorded magnetic cards, many teachers also integrate the Blank Magnetic Cards into their curriculum. With a price that won’t break the bank, these cards allow teachers to design specific lessons aligned with students’ reading and language levels. Carla Kliever, Reading Specialist and CELDT Coordinator at Hort Elementary School in Bakersfield, California relies on the CardMaster and blank magnetic cards to help her group of ELL students.
The following activities can be used with blank cards:
Incorporate Alphabet Form Stickers: Teachers can incorporate alphabet form stickers onto the blank magnetic cards to strengthen students’ sense of touch. This is an easy and inexpensive way for teachers to craft the blank magnetic cards to fit students’ language needs, and it only takes seconds for teachers to stick the form letters at a good position that’s at least half inch above the top of the magnetic tape. Students will enjoy touching the soft, colorful letters to register the words in their minds right before they listen and record their new vocabularies onto the cards.
Create Silhouettes of the Words: Teachers write a new or reviewed vocabulary on a blank magnetic card and cut out the top portion of the blank card to form the silhouette of the upper portion of each alphabet in the word. This method motivates students to feel the silhouettes of the words with their fingertips and see the words they are learning in a two-dimensional mode. Students are excited to get their hands on the stack of language learning cards when they feel the stack has come “alive” – no longer in the ordinary rectangle shape.
Integrate Small Post-it Notes: To enhance the spelling aspect of language learning, teachers can print one alphabet on each small sheet of post-it note, cut the silhouette if preferred. On the blank magnetic cards, write incomplete vocabularies with missing alphabet and ask students to pick up the correct alphabet post-it note after they hear the word and record the word via CardMaster. After students concentrate on the pronunciation of the word, they will apply their phonetic skill and use the sense of touch to pick up the missing alphabet and paste it onto the right spot on the magnetic cards to complete the words.
These simple tips will help teachers provide additional opportunities for students to touch what they are learning and will inspire any ages of students to learn various languages while they see, touch, and hear!
