For a very limited time (July 4th through 11th), the new beach expansion set is on sale for $4.00! This is more than 45% off its regular price and the lowest price for an expansion set ever. Take advantage of this sale today and use the materials in your next session!

http://www.speechtherapyideas.com/products/

Becky Wanca

To make your own, go to http://www.cryptogram.com/hearts/

I’ve made some pages of “r” and “l” Valentine’s Day words on hearts for you to print.

L Valentine’s Day words on hearts

R Valentine’s Day words on hearts

Enjoy your week!
Becky

Welcome autumn!  If you’re like me, you’re ready for some cooler weather and fun, fall activities.  I love to use the changing of seasons to introduce new vocabulary, games, and activities into my sessions.  It’s also a great time to reinforce previously learned skills from a different angle.  Try some of these apple activities or create some of your own.

Apple activities
Materials:  6 apples (2 each of red, yellow, and green), preferably in varying sizes

Matching – Have the children match the apples by color (then by size, if appropriate).

Comparatives – Pick 2-3 apples that are different enough in size and do receptive and expressive language tasks for big/little, big/bigger/biggest, and small/smaller/smallest.

Describing – Have the children describe the similarities and differences between the different types of apples.

Vocabulary/Parts of a whole – Discuss the parts of an apple, using the terms stem, skin, flesh, core, and seeds.  Cut an apple in half and show them the parts.
There are definitions for each of these parts at
http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/gr2appleparts.htm

and an illustration of an apple with the parts labeled at
http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/gr2applecutawaypopup.htm

Various speech and language skills – Print out this apple game board to use for a variety of skills.

To my friends in the Southern Hemisphere…I hope you are enjoying the beginning of spring.  You can use many of the ideas above using flowers instead of apples.  Silk flowers last longer and may be more consistent in size and color, but you can also just gather up a few from outside.

Look for more fall ideas and printables coming to your inbox soon!  If you haven’t signed up and activated your email address yet, do it now!  You’ll get FREE monthly emails full of ideas and printable materials so you can just print and go!  Here’s what to do…

1. Click on this link.
2. Enter your email address in the box.
3. Check your inbox for an email from me.
4. Click on the link in that email to activate your account.  (Even though the wording says “subscription”, there is absolutely NO CHARGE for this.)

Becky Wanca

Why use themes?
Using themes in your therapy sessions can provide you with a great framework to build on and can help with carryover to real life situations.  With a little effort, therapy can become interesting and a lot of fun – for both you and your clients.

How can I use one theme for so many kids?
Themes can be applied to a variety of speech and language goals.  Use basic games with a slight twist for speech sound activities.  You can also work on vocabulary, sequencing, following directions, and writing while using a theme as your framework.

Where can I find out more?
Sign up for my email updates and get August’s monthly email with ideas and printable materials for using a camping theme with your speech and language clients.

There are also quite a few early education websites that have themed ideas.  Use them as inspiration for your speech and language activities.

http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/
http://www.123child.com/act/