Sensory integration in the classroom is incorporating activities and ways for students to learn by using one of the senses. Orton Gillingham is an action based learning approach that engages in sensory learning for instruction. It promotes positive interaction between the teacher and student, mainly in reading and writing. Montessori education is a school that engages students in all of the senses. This type of learning gives students freedom, choice, structure, and allows them to experience nature. It creates a strong sense of social awareness in its students.
How is it used in the classroom?
Sensory integration can be done in many easy ways and can be pulled from Orton Gillingham or the Montessori approach. For example, you can add a sensory wall in your classroom that has many objects for the students to touch and feel. This can be a bag of slime, textured paper, fuzzy pillows, rocks, and more. Anything can be added to this wall to engage the senses. This can be a place for students to go when they are overwhelmed or just need a break. Also, giving the students flexible seating and freedom to move can really engage the students in active learning. They won't feel as confined and will be able to learn where they are the most comfortable. Give students time to play and talk with their peers. Make sure your lighting is not to bright for the students. Also, use sensory items such as sand trays to help students practice writing letters and words.
How does it impact student learning?
There are many benefits of Montessori approaches. The students that go to these schools are constantly learning and growing and are usually extremely successful in the real world. This is because they have freedom, their senses are engaged, and they are not confined to the classroom all day long. They get to see the real world and experience it. Sensory learning really helps students to take ownership of their learning. For many students, being able to touch something calms their nerves and helps them to focus better. Orton Gillingham methods are very impactful for teaching students to write. This helps students to use the senses to learn. They really get to feel the shape of the letter they are writing by using sand, foam, and sandpaper.
What is the cost?
The cost will depend on how extra you want to be when creating sensory activities. You can easily make slime and put it into bags using household items. That is my suggestion, find items at your house or in your teacher tool box before you go out and buy things. Orton Gillingham items will depend on your school system and if they us that curriculum. Incorporating Montessori ideas into your classroom costs nothing. Just give your students more freedom, flexibility, and take them outside if you can.
Bonus info:
Here are some great apps to use to incorporate sensory integration into your classroom.
- Stamp Game
- Alpha Writer
- Montessori Geometry
Final Thoughts:
There are Montessori schools out there that I would love to visit and see how they work. I really think they have so many amazing benefits for their students. I believe that sensory integration is so important for students. However, one new thing that I learned is that it is important to not overload the senses for the students. Sometimes having it all is too much. That is why it is so important to make sure your classroom environment is not overwhelming to students. If the colors are too bright or there is a lot on the walls, it can be too much for students. Sometimes our cute decorations can be a big distraction. In my classroom, I want to use lamps instead of overhead lights to reduce the brightness in the room. I want to have a sensory wall that the students can go to calm down. I want to have a productive and comfortable set up so my students are not overwhelmed. Also, I will incorporate flexible seating to allow my students to move around and have a sense of freedom. I am also including the video that they shared with us of what it is like to be sensory overloaded. I think this is so important for us to see and think about when setting up our classrooms.
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