Pinterest Friday

It's Friday, and it's rainy and cold outside. What a strange start to spring break. Most of the schools here in MI start their spring break today (except for college, of course).

I have been keep track of some of my favorite pins on Pinterest, so I'm going to share those today. I don't update about Pinterest Friday every Friday, as you may have noticed, but I try to make a post like this at least once a month.

First, feel free to follow me on Pinterest here!
Next, follow my weekly favorites board here! These are the pins I'm going to be writing about here.

1. My first favorite pin is the category sorting task from Adventures in Tutoring & Special Education. This is a really great introductory activity for categories, and I think it would work well for some of the younger children (preschool-K or 1st). Download the activity for free by clicking the link above!

2. My second favorite pin is a list of Improved Word Choices in Writing from Teachers Pay Teachers. This activity is great for those middle schoolers and even high schoolers (grades 6-12). Download it for free by clicking the link above! The activity includes over 250 synonyms. Here's an example of the phrasing: "Rather than fun, good, or nice, try....". This seems like a great tool to use with the higher education population.

3. My next favorite pin is an Oh the Places I Will Go (When I Grow Up...) activity from Classroom Freebies. It is a cute writing activity, and it would be great to use this activity to decorate a bulletin board or an empty speech room! Also, you can read the book to the students and create some activities using the book! Hmm... maybe I could develop some of my own activities using this theme *puts that idea away for the future*.

4. I LOVE this next pin because I created a kite activity just a few weeks (days?) ago! Classroom Freebies Too links a 31-page booklet that has a lot of kite activities, including targeting word families as well as tracing. It also is a cut and glue activity, and those are my favorite! Download it for free by clicking the link above!
Note: I have not tried to download this item as it requires Windows. I am currently posting from my Mac. If anyone tries to download this item and it doesn't work, please let me know. I try to post mostly free items here. :)

5. My next favorite pin is a cootie catcher story teller from A Teacher's Treasure. I know so many kids who get so excited about cootie catchers, so I think this is a great tool to use during writing and story telling.
Note: I did have to e-mail the blogger to have her send me the free item since her download did not work, and she sent it to me the very next day.

6. My next favorite pin is a St. Patrick's Day pin. I know, I know, St. Patrick's Day is already over, but it's never to early to prepare for next year! This is a Pot of Gold activity from For the Love of Kindergarten. It's a really cute writing activity, and it would be great to decorate a bulletin board or a hallway with these pots of gold! I really like this activity because it's very versatile, and you can make it more difficult for higher grade levels. Download the item for free by clicking the link above! It will take you to Teachers Pay Teachers, but you can download it for free there.

7. My next favorite pin is about speech classroom organization from Simply Speech. This blogger offers some great ideas on how to keep student data, and she has freebies to download! I love getting new ideas on how to get better organized, and if you leave a comment on her blog, she will send you the student data sheet for free!

8. My final favorite pin is something that is just too adorable that I couldn't resist pinning. Take a look at these scrabble cookies (below)! Seriously, if I had the time, and if I were a better baker, I would definitely be attempting these. They are just too cute. Apparently they are lemon sugar cookies with some royal icing. I got the pin from here: click. Yum!

Enjoy your weekend! Feel free to leave a comment!

Materials Monday - Easter Board Game

Easter is upon us! I love spring themes, and I love how excited kids can get for Easter. There are some wonderful Easter and spring-related therapy ideas circulating Pinterest and other SLP blogs, and I will write about some of my favorites later this week. For now, I want to share with you all an easy, versatile, Easter-themed game that you can use with all of your students!

I'm a big fan of board games (it really encourages turn taking and spontaneous conversation), so I like to create a lot of these easy-to-use board games. Since most therapy sessions in the schools range from 15-20 minutes, quick and easy board games are sometimes the best reinforcer.

I am sharing with you today my Easter-themed board game. All you need is a spinner or a dice as well as some pawns (you can use Monopoly, Sorry, or other game pieces).

The kids really enjoy all of the different colors (they try to land on their favorite color), and they get excited when they see little short-cuts (like the Bunny Path in the picture above). The game can go quick, so it's good for those quick sessions where you don't have a lot of time for arts and crafts.

Download the game for free here!

Please leave a comment or share this page with a friend if you decide to download the game. Thank you! :)

Facebook

Hello!

I decided to make a Facebook group for Let's Talk SLP for those of you who would rather follow via Facebook. Feel free to "like" Let's Talk SLP here!

I'll update Facebook whenever I update this blog.

Have a great Tuesday (I know I will, it's over 80 degrees here in Michigan today)!

Materials Monday - Synonym & Antonym Kites

Another Materials Monday is here! Unlike last week, today is bright and sunny (and 78 degrees, which is completely unheard of in Michigan in March).

Today I am giving you a language activity. It's a synonym and antonym activity.

Synonym Kites Example

The kite is located on the last page of both of the packets. Cut out the kites for each child and allow them to color it.

I have included both colored ties with the synonyms and antonyms as well as black and white ties. The colored ties should be used with children who need more visual support to match up their synonyms and antonyms. The black and white ties make the activity harder (and you can even let each student color their tie whatever color they want to after the match it up correctly).

All you have to do is cut black strips for the kite string and cut out the ties.

Instructions are located in both packets.

Here are some picture examples:

Antonym Kites Example

Synonyms

Antonyms (in color and in black and white)

Download the materials here:
Antonym Kites
Synonym Kites
Blank Ties

Of course I included a download for blank ties. Just print them out and write your own synonyms, antonyms, or other activity on them! This is a very versatile activity. Have your students follow directions printed on the ties, say an artic word, or categorize. 

As always, I provided this activity to you for free. Please leave a comment or share this page with a friend if you decide to download the freebie! Thank you! :)

Artic Questions App Review

A few weeks ago I was on Facebook, and I won a free app from Pocket SLP by answering a trivia question! I was so excited because I really never win anything. After getting the free code and downloading the app for free (which took forever to figure out because I've never had to do that before), I decided to try it out. Well, school and the PRAXIS caught up to me, so I had to put it off until now.

The app opens up to a page that looks exactly alike to the picture above. It allows you to select Multiple Choice Questions, Open-Ended Questions, or Silly Sentence Questions. The numbers of questions for each phoneme in each area ranges somewhere in the 20's (ex. multiple choice questions for initial /s/ has 24 questions). Note: I haven't looked at every single phoneme in every single questions section.

View of the table of contents for each questions/sentences area

Each question bunch targets 7 phonemes = initial, final, and medial /s/, /z/, /r/, /l/, "sh", "ch", and "th". It also targets /s/ blends, /r/ blends, and /l/ blends.

See some of the pictures below to get a feel for the types of questions.

Example of initial "sh" multiple choice questions

Example of final /s/ open-ended questions

Example of initial /r/ silly sentences

One great thing about this app is that you can print the sentences and questions or you can email them to another person. So if a parent asks for some carry-over practice for at home or over the summer, you can easily email the parent these sentences and questions.

Areas of improvement: my main issue with the app is that it's pretty plain and unappealing (see the above pictures). Some pictures or graphics would make the app more inviting to children (or even adults). Also, I would like to have some sort of short quiz at the back to test the child's progress with the phonemes (something that the clinician can just press plus or minus). I mean, sure, you can do that on your own. I just think it would be a nice addition to the app.

I was surprised at who emailed me the free app. It was Erik X. Raj who is a fellow SLP blogger! I had no idea that he also co-founded Pocket SLP!

The app is currently only available on iPad and iPhone.

Have anything else to add about the app? Then please leave a comment! Thank you! :)

Let's Talk SLP Featured on ASHAsphere!

What an exciting day! I received an email this morning indicating the Let's Talk Speech-Language Pathology is featured in the latest blog post of ASHAsphere, The Best Speech-Language Pathologist Blogs From A-Z. Check out the blog and take a look at the newest (and best) SLP blogs out there!

I just want to say thank you to all of my viewers/followers for commenting on and sharing my blog. Look forward to this weekend (I have an app review to share with you all) as well as Materials Monday!

Materials Monday - Category Flowers

It's another Monday, and it's a rainy and dreary day over here. Hopefully some free materials will brighten this day!

I had a really hard time deciding what to upload. I have created a few materials over my spring break (since I had time to waste and was very excited to procrastinate studying). Most of the materials I created are Spring related activities. I just can't help it! I'm excited for Spring!

Alright, I have decided to upload my Fun with Flowers activity. It's language AND speech related! Yes, I did get this idea from a pin on Pinterest, and it was pinned from The Teachers' Lounge. Well, I kind of reworked it and made it my own. This activity is really easy to use with language or articulation children, and it keeps them motivated and gets them excited because they get to create their own flowers!

Example of blue flower

Here's what you have to do:
1. Let each student pick the flower they want to build. In the packet I've uploaded, the students can choose between a blue (see above), green, orange, or color-your-own flower.
2. You do have to cut your own stems. Just use some green construction paper and cut it into strips. It's really easy to do.
3. Use the leaves in your therapy session! For articulation: write the artic word on each stem and have your student say it until you're satisfied. For language: write the "wh" question, synonym/antonym, or category on the leaf and have the student complete their turn. Finally, they can glue the leaf onto their stem while you work with the next student.
4. Let the students take their flowers home or showcase them in your therapy room!

Now, the upload that I made has both a language and an articulation activity. For language I wrote categories on each leaf and the child would be instructed to name items in the category in order for them to glue the leaf on their flower. For articulation, I created some /r/ words. There is initial, medial, and final /r/.

Example of language leaves - categories

Example of articulation leaves - initial, medial, and final /r/

Note: at the end of the packet there are some blank leaves so that you can print them out and create your own activities. Have fun!

Grab this freebie here!

Since I did upload this for free for everyone, all I ask is that you share this page with someone you know and/or leave me a comment! Let me know what you think! Thank you!

Parent Communication

Since I will be starting a new job in the Fall working with children that I have never met, I was really excited about the Parent Communication Kit by Ladybug's Teacher Files. I pinned this on Pinterest, and I shared this pin with all of you on Friday (if you missed that entry, look here).

The Parent Communication Kit by Ladybug's Teacher Files is a handout that requires the parents to answer questions about their child so the SLP can get to know them a little better! I didn't realize that this was not a free download until I tried to download it yesterday. I was a bit disappointed, so I decided to use her template to create my own. Since I fully believe in sharing my materials with my fellow SLPs, I will provide my version as a free download to all of you!

Download this freebie here!

If you decide to download, all you have to do is share this page with someone you know and/or leave me a comment! Thank you!

Pinterest Friday

I am a huge fan of Pinterest (as I'm sure everyone else is). I find a lot of my favorite speech and language activities on that site. Therefore, I think I will upload some of my favorite Pinterest pins from this past week.

Feel free to follow me on Pinterest here: Follow Me

You can access my weekly favorite items by viewing the "Weekly Favorites" board. I also have boards for SLP Ideas and SLP Reference Materials.

Let's begin!

1. My first favorite pin of the week is the Articulation Battle Boats pin from Sublime Speech. This idea is priceless, and I know many older students would be highly motivated to play this game (what kid doesn't like Battleship?).

Articulation Battle Boats

2. My next favorite pin of the week is the 71 Things Your Child Needs to Know Before Kindergarten pin from I Can Teach My Child. I thought this was a great all-encompassing list that MOST children should know. Honestly, a lot of children learn these basic skills in preschool and just by spending time with mom and dad.

3. My third favorite pin of the week is the Punctuation Poster pin from Art.com. It's a great reference tool or cheat-sheet for punctuation, and yes, even I learned something from looking at the poster. Check it out below.

Punctuation Poster

4. My next favorite pin of the week is the Parent Communication pin from Ladybug's Teacher Files. This blog offers viewers a free download of The Parent Communication Kit. This kit has get-to-know-you pages to send home to the parents of your school kiddos as well as a log to keep track of when you communicate with each parent and a master list for contact information. This seems like a great tool, and I might look at tweaking something like this and using it for my future job!

Parent Communication Kit

5. My final favorite pin of the week is not SLP related. I am really excited about the Poppyseed Lemon Muffins from Thibeault's Table. These muffins look amazing, and I can't wait to try making something like this. Granted I'm not the best baker in the world, but I think I could try and make something similar to this. Check it out:

I mean, look at these muffins! Yum!

I would also like to tell all of you that you have my permission to pin anything from my blog. I know there are some crazy copyright laws going around on Pinterest right now, but you all have my permission to pin. Pin away! :)

What are some of your favorite pins of the week?

More Articulation Popcorn

I have had a call for more articulation popcorn! I am glad everyone likes this idea. Popcorn is such a fun theme to do in the schools!

Here you can find initial, medial, and final "th", "sh" and /l/ as well as L-Blends! Apparently I have too much time on my hands today. Oh well, it's a mixture of spring break and not wanting to study for the Praxis. :)

Here's an example of initial "sh".

Here's an example of L-Blends.

Initial TH
Medial TH
Final TH
Initial SH
Medial SH
Final SH
Initial L
Medial L
Final L
L-Blends

Enjoy!

Update: 4/4/12 - Blank Popcorn

Articulation Popcorn

I have been in a creative mood lately, so I have decided to create an activity to target articulation. I think Jenna (from Speech Room News) and I had the same idea to use popcorn! She has some great language materials on her blog featuring the popcorn theme, so I figure it's okay if I upload my articulation idea. I also love materials that focus on specific units since I am a huge fan of using thematic units in schools.

The materials I created are very easy to use. All you need are the following pages and a popcorn bucket. This activity it great for quick drill and working in groups.

Here's an example of a popcorn bucket. Hey, this just gives you an excuse to go to the movies and get an extra large popcorn! Obviously wash out the popcorn bucket after you are finished with it. :)

Here's an example of initial /r/ popcorn kernels.

Here's an example of initial /s/ popcorn kernels.

Since I am a firm believer in using real objects during thematic units, I would probably reward my articulation groups with a small handful of popcorn after therapy is over. Clearly you shouldn't do this often, but I have found it to be a good motivator and the reward of popcorn makes them work really hard (sometimes stickers get a little boring). Also, you can make the popcorn healthier by getting the plain popcorn without butter.

I created initial, medial, and final /r/ and /s/ today. Feel free to comment and let me know what other phonemes you would like me to create!

Initial R
Medial R
Final R
Initial S
Medial S
Final S

Materials Monday - Voice Cards

Yes, I did forget that today was Monday. Therefore I am updating this at 10:30 PM hoping it will still be Monday by the time I'm done writing. Oh well, I deserve a bit of leniency. It is, after all, spring break. :)

This Materials Monday I am uploading a document that can be used in conjunction with last Materials Monday. It still targets voice and school-aged children. I hope some of you are finding these useful.
If you missed last Materials Monday, you can view it here (click)!

These cards are really easy to use. Below is an example of the cards.

Note: I figured out how to take a screenshot from my computer! Yes, I am finally caught up with technology (for now).

How to use: Using these cards is really easy! Use a supplemental game with it (like a board game or Jenga). First have your student select a card. You or your student can read it aloud, and then he/she would be required to figure out the best answer for the specific situation. If the student struggles with this or if it is a newer activity, use forced-choice alternative and give him/her some options. I also printed out some different choices that my students could choose from, but it's up to you if you want to provide it through auditory or visual means. Creating choices shouldn't take long at all. Once your student determines the best solution that you both agree upon, then your student can take a turn with whatever game you chose to play.

If you don't feel like being creative or if you don't have much time to create choices for your student then leave me a comment with your email address, and I can send you my full version for free. :)

Download the voice cards here! Enjoy!

Update: March 6 - I was able to upload the newest version of my voice cards to google documents and the pictures worked! So feel free to download the newest version. Thanks!

The Interview Process

I have been interviewing for a job in a school district for the past few weeks. It was a great learning experience, and I would just like to tell a little bit about my story and what I learned.

First of all, the superintendent was extremely nice. He made me feel very comfortable. The first time I met with him we discussed my internship experience as well as some of the openings available in the district. He asked some general questions about my experience, and some of the questions were more geared toward specific situations I may have to face in my career. At the end of the interview he discussed payment and a little about benefits, so I knew I must have done something right!

He called me a few days after that first interview with an offer to meet with some local school SLPs to answer some questions and get to know them. Well, this meeting was quite a bit more intimidating than the first meeting. These ladies asked me some really difficult questions, and much of it was situational. Of course I had to talk about my experiences, and I answered the old "strengths and weaknesses" question. I was so fortunate to have met these ladies because they really seemed like an amazing group of individuals. I could tell working for this school district would be a great opportunity because everyone was so welcoming and nice. 

The whole interview process was quite long and difficult, but it was completely worth it. I was offered the job! I'm so excited! I told them I would take about a week to think about it and make sure this is what I want, but all in all, I think this is wonderful!

Here are some of my tips when interviewing for a job:

1. Be yourself. Most people can tell right away if you're being fake.

2. Advocate for yourself. Don't discount all of the experiences you have had. Talk about everything you have done. This is your time to rise and shine!

3. Answer their questions honestly. If I didn't know a question, I was honest. I said I would need more guidance in specific areas, and I think that helped show them that I was a real person who was dedicated to doing my job well.

4. Remember that you won't know everything. Those people who are interviewing you should never expect you to know everything about every aspect, so don't feel bad or say you're sorry for not having experience in a specific area. If they are willing to offer you a job, then they are willing to train you in areas that you are lacking experience.

5. Look at every interview as a learning experience. I was extremely fortunate that this happened to be my first (and only) interview, and I was offered the job right away. Some people won't be so lucky, and while you may not be offered a job right away, take what you have learned from that experience and apply it to future job interviews.

6. Dress professionally, have your resume and references with you, and be polite. Make conversation with everyone (even the secretaries). They WILL remember you, and they will remark on how calm, professional, and polite you were.

I hope these tips help! Please comment if you have any questions or advice about the interviewing process.