Multimodal Instruction

  • A multimodal approach uses multiple ways to address the multiple learning styles (visual, auditory, tactile, verbal) of students

    • Also addresses all five components of reading along with integrating spelling and writing instruction with reading instruction

  • Multimodal texts are communicated through two or more modes, such as picture books, textbooks, graphic novels, comics, and posters

  • Benefits of Multimodal Instruction

    • All students are engaged in the learning process

    • The quality of learning has improved

      • Improves content retention

    • Real-world interactions take place

    • The multimodal skills are developed in all modes which prepares the students for real-world experiences

    • The creativity of the teacher and student is expanded

    • Variety in the classroom is accomplished which makes lessons new and exciting to both the students and the teacher

  • Multimodal Techniques

    • Linguistic/Alphabetic

      • Includes written and spoken words, word choice, vocabulary, grammar, structure, and the organization of sentences and paragraphs

        • Reading books, writing letters, play alphabet games, sort colored letters, word family games

    • Visual

      • Moving or still images

        • Reading books, build puzzles, play alphabet memory games, make patterns with different objects, trace letters, sort letters, picture books

    • Aural

      • Sound, music

        • Reading books aloud, sing songs, say nursery rhymes, play songs and clap to the rhythm, talking, instruments, say a chain of rhyming words, clap syllables of words

    • Gestural

      • Movement, expression, body language

        • Pointing out specific letters in words, pantomime actions when discussing verbs, point to words as they are being read, sing songs that use fun hand and body movements

    • Spatial

      • Position, physical arrangement, proximity

        • Using building blocks or legos, use cotton swabs or popsicle sticks to make letters, create an alphabet obstacle course where students jump from letter to letter in the appropriate sequence, arrange plastic letters in order, sensory ABC bag