What is MVL?Manipulative Visual Language (MVL) is a fantastic tool that has been shown to help students, both hearing and deaf, crack the code of English. MVL presents the rules of grammar visually through colorful shapes that represent every part of the English language. The colorful shapes enables students to see, touch and manipulate parts of the English grammar. MVL is a tool, not a curriculum. As a tool, MVL assists teachers in presenting the parts of the English grammar in conjunction with whatever curriculum is being used. What are the shapes?
There are two sets of shapes: a 2-dimensional and a 3-dimensional set. Both sets are made of over 50 wooden blocks of different shapes and colors. The 2-dimensional blocks are a 1/4 inch thick and have a magnetic backing which allows it to be used on a magnetic board. The 3-dimensional blocks are for individual students to manipulate on their own desks (perfect for pre-school and kindergarten students). How does it work? MVL takes the basic parts of speech and presents them in the form of visually appealing wood blocks that can be manipulated by the teacher and student. Correct grammar structure is presented visually in the form of sentence "maps" that enable students to follow logical patterns of sentence formation . Where should MVL be used? In a word: EVERYWHERE! We provide workshops for teachers, to show them how to use MVL in their classrooms, for parents, to help them help their children with their homework, and for students directly! The blocks can be used to illustrate sentence structure as a part of any curriculum lesson. Who developed MVL? Two teachers working together at a school for deaf children - Jimmy Challis Gore, a Deaf individual and Robert Gilles, a hearing individual, developed this phenomenal system of blocks,. In addition to the blocks, they also developed posters, sentence maps, and classroom activities. MVL has been tested in the classroom and it has been proven to WORK! When should MVL be used? As early as possible! Language acquisition is most efficient at early ages, so the earlier MVL can be introduced, the better, but adults love it too! MVL is intended to be used in the elementary grades, in order to establish a strong foundation in understanding grammar. MVL can also be used with middle school, high school and post-secondary students who are still struggling to master English grammar.
Can MVL be used with hearing children? Although MVL was initially developed to help Deaf and hard of hearing children, it was quickly discovered that hearing children could also benefit from MVL. There are currently several schools in the United States that are using MVL very successfully with hearing students who are having difficulty mastering the English language. MVL also qualifies for Title 1 funds to be used with English Language Learners.
Why use MVL? The best reason of all - students love it! The MVL blocks makes learning English grammar FUN.
|
