Saturday, October 26, 2013

More from Bear...

Just in time for Thanksgiving! I recently posted my book companion for Bear Says Thanks, by: Karma Wilson. I love the Bear series, and this book is one of my favorites to pull out right before Thanksgiving break. Click here to see the set in my store (amazon affiliate link included for your convenience).  Enjoy!


 


Love it & List it: Language Apps {LINKY PARTY}

Jenna, over at Speech Room News, is hosting her monthly linky party. This month SLPs are linking up to talk about their favorite language apps.

 
I've linked up and listed a few of my favorite language apps below. There were so many great ones to choose from - but these seem to be the ones I use the most.
 
1. Sentence Maker (by Grasshopper Apps) - There is a free version and a pro version. I happen to have the pro version, and I use it all the time! This app helps my students with limited verbal abilities expand their sentences, while using a mixture of sentence types. It also helps my students working on sentence structure generate complete sentences with correct word forms. The app offers a variety of settings (with pictures, without pictures, with verbal cues, without verbal cues, with written cues, etc...). I've included a few screenshots below.





 
 
2. One Step Two Step Following Directions (by Synapse Apps, LLC) - There is a lite version (FREE) and a professional version. Again, I purchased the pro version, and it's one of my go to apps for students working on one and two step directions. Again, I've included a few screenshots below.
 

 
 
 
3. Autism iHelp Wh-Questions (by John Talavera) - This is a free app, however you have the capability of purchasing more question choices within the app. I love this app for my students who are working on responding to basic wh-questions. The pictures are clear and simple, and the app provides a nice variety of questions. I've included some screen shots below.
 



 
 
 
Thanks for checking out some of my favorite apps! Click here and head back over to Speech Room News and find out what other SLPs are saying!
 
Enjoy!


Monday, October 21, 2013

October Speachy Feedback {LINKY PARTY}

It's time for another linky party! Today, I'm joining the feedback linky hosted by Nicole Allison of Speech Peeps.



I said this last month, but I'll say it again. I have received such amazing feedback from some truly amazing people. So, narrowing this down to just one was difficult, but CONGRATULATIONS TpT user: allymarie02! Your comment really warmed my heart. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, purchase my products, and provide awesome feedback. I am truly grateful! Please email me at: speechbucket@gmail.com to claim a single product of your choice (bundles not included).


allymarie02's feedback was left on my The Busy Little Squirrel book companion set. Click here to see the throwback post. Click here to see the product in my store. Click here to head back over to Speech Peeps to check out the feedback that other SLPs are posting about.

If I didn't select your feedback, don't fret! Keep it coming! As always, I LOVE reading it and I am so thankful for each and everyone of you!

Enjoy!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Spooktacular Speechie Sale!

Several of your favorite SLP sellers are offering up some SPOOKTACULAR savings in their TPT stores this weekend! Everything in my store will be 15% off from tomorrow (October 13th) through Monday (October 14th). Teachers Pay Teachers is offering an additional 10% off (use code: FB100K) until midnight 10/14. So, empty those wish lists and stock up on new materials at awesome prices! Click here to visit my store, and check out the linky below to see the other SLP stores! Enjoy!






Yes, I LOVE books!

I LOVE my caseload, and if I haven't said it enough in the past I'll say it AGAIN! I l.o.v.e. my caseload. I get to work with many different students with a huge variety of communication needs. I am responsible for providing services to an elementary K-5 building and 2 self-contained functional academic classrooms. I have a little bit of everything on my plate, and I couldn't be happier. With that being said, I try to create activities I can use with all of my students. If my weekly theme is based on "fall" I like to select one (or two books) to use when targeting my student's goals. All of my activities for that week are then based off of that book. Which is a reason you'll see so many book companions in my store. You can target almost ANY speech or language goal using a good book!

Another thing I LOVE (and I know I've mentioned it before) is fall! I've created a few more fall/autumn themed book companions to use during therapy. Check them out below. (Don't miss the FREEBIE near the end of this post).


 
 

 

 
 
Happy fall, friends! Enjoy!


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Using Book Companions in Early Language Groups

I received an AWESOME email this week from one of my friends and fellow co-workers after she used one of my book companions (The Busy Little Squirrel) for her early childhood language group. I think I'm a pretty organized person but, after reading this email, this lady takes the cake! AMAZING is all I have to say. Below you will find a copy of her language center lesson plans, and pictures of how she organizes her materials for future use. In my head, this is always how language centers should run in an early intervention group. Kudos to Melissa Yakel, M.A., CCC-SLP for writing it all out for us. I am in awe of your awesomeness (you must have had an amazing teacher).

Melissa used my companion set for The Busy Little Squirrel, by Nancy Tafuri. Click here to find more info on this set or click here to see the set in my TpT store.


Melissa started by writing out lesson plans for her early childhood group. A copy of the lesson plan can be found here. During her group, she printed out three copies, and highlighted the directions for each center on one of the copies (that way if paras or other staff were assisting in a specific center they would have the directions and specific targets at their finger tips).

 

She allotted approximately 40-45 minutes for her language group, and she typically runs language groups one time per month based on her classroom's theme.

When storing her materials for future use, she utilizes several manila envelopes (in a variety of  sizes) and places each of them into one large envelope, with a copy of her lesson plan, and labels it with the title of the book.

 
 
 
 
Again, HUGE kudos to Melissa Yakel, M.A., CCC-SLP for typing up and sharing her lesson plans and storage pictures with us! You are a rock star!
 
Enjoy!