SGM® 1.3.3

The SGM® App is designed to support children in developing their thinking, communication, and learning skills. Since its inception in 1991, the colorful, patented icons of the Story Grammar Marker® (SGM®) have benefited millions of children worldwide. This research-based tool aids in storytelling, comprehension, writing, reading comprehension, and social communication. Recently, the SGM® has been adapted into a digital format, featuring engaging animations and interactive elements that enable children to see, listen, touch, move, and interact with the icons to construct stories.

Educators, speech-language pathologists, reading specialists, literacy coaches, and parents can utilize this app to guide children towards becoming confident storytellers and re-tellers, helping them articulate their ideas or recount experiences from reading or media. The app facilitates organization of thoughts for expressive writing and storytelling. It now also incorporates new expository structures, such as description, sequencing, and listing. This functionality can foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills while encouraging children to make connections across texts, themselves, and their environment.

The icons are designed to reduce cognitive load by providing a visual representation of story components that children can see, touch, and manipulate. Users can type text, draw images, or import pictures from their device's camera roll to create unique stories or retell existing ones from books, shows, or movies. After story creation, children can use the SGM® framework to help narrate their stories aloud and record them. This process allows children to become the ‘SGM® Star Reporter,’ hearing themselves tell their stories. Each recording can be saved or shared via email with parents, teachers, or specialists for progress monitoring.

The Story Grammar Marker® aligns with Common Core State Standards and supports foundational literacy and comprehension skills. Overall, the app combines an enjoyable learning experience with a research-based methodology designed to enhance storytelling and comprehension abilities in young learners.