A Virtual Vacation in Speech
Don’t hate me. My students still haven’t started school. In fact, they won’t start until a few days AFTER Labor Day. My own children (in the district next to where I work) will be two…
Language
5 Reasons to Use Informal Assessments
I have to admit that I inherited pages and pages of probes (aka “drill and kill” lists) when I started at my school 14 years ago. There seemed to be one or more for…
Using Animals to Promote Language Skills
Kids love pets. Even kids that do not have any pets, still love to talk about them! My daughter, for example, has been asking forever for a pet. Being the crazy, stressed out, budget conscious…
Effective Routines in the Speech Room
I’ve had a desire for several years to make my 30 minute therapy sessions more routine oriented. I want students to know what to expect when they get to speech. I want them to start…
Learning Vocabulary in the Pool
My nephew is at the best age! He is just starting to develop formal language; he has about five verbal words and ten signs. He babbles, follows one step directions (when he feels like it),…
The Gardener (Speech/Language Book Companion)
I’ve wanted to create a book companion for this book for years. It’s been one of my favorites to read alone or with my older children and I just know that my students will love…
Engaging Early Language Learners
If there is one thing I have learned, it is that my earliest language learners will NOT just sit nicely at a table or at circle time and say their words/sounds. They need to move…
The Three Snow Bears
I absolutely adore Jan Brett stories. The illustrations, vocabulary, and story make them top notch. Not surprisingly, I have developed many Speech Therapy Book Companions to go with her books. I decided a few months…
Lunar New Year Bundle
Did you know that over 20% of the world’s population lives in China? Did you know that 75% of my family is Asian? How much do you and your students know about Chinese, Korean, and…
Language Informal Assessment
An interview with the Super Author/Creator: Reporter: Good evening Miss Super Woman. I have a copy of your brand new “Language Informal Assessment” and I’d love to ask you a few questions. May I? Super…
Circle Time in a Minimially Verbal Classroom #2
Circle time! Last month, I went through how I do circle time in my Kindergarten self-contained classroom. The students there are minimally or non-verbal. You can read the post here. Today, I am explaining how…
Circle Time in a Minimally Verbal Classroom #1
Circle time is my baby. When I started my current job in 2002 and had one class of highly-impacted and self-contained students, I knew I wanted to lead the class in some way. Circle became…
Pretend Language
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Why do we pretend? Why imagine beyond the here, now, and yesterday when talking? Kim has a fabulous post all about the benefits of pretend play on early language…
January Speech Lesson Plans 2015
Hurray! Only one more week of school before winter break! But that means…. time to start planning for January NOW! Here’s what I’ll be doing in January. Feel free to download my FREE lesson plans…