Page 40 - Literacy Based Speech Language Therapy Activities Digital Version

Literacy-Based Speech Language Therapy Activities

In Summary: How to make planning for speech therapy easy

We routinely have speech pathology graduate students working with us who need to know what to
be planning for speech therapy before the kids arrive. What they might not have learned is that the
first few weeks of therapy in the schools are pretty crazy. You have to get to know your students or

clients, organize schedules, identify student needs, group them, and get them up and running. Here
are four quick steps to rapidly plan therapy.

Find out what topic is being focused on each week
Aligning intervention themes with classroom topics increases exposure and use of
vocabulary. It also provides a framework in which students can practice their new

language skills. Identifying the current academic topic (e.g. oceans) dramatically
reduces speech therapy planning because the teachers tend to have materials and
books ready for us to copy from and use.

Go to the library and check out books on the topic
Using books to highlight a topic can empower students by giving them experience
with the topic prior to practicing the skills that you are hoping for them to gain.

Gather both fiction and non-fiction books about the theme/topic. Books provide
vast numbers of pictures, references, and situations.

Copy an activity page for each student
Either search for the book topic materials on the internet or borrow something
from the classroom teacher. Adapt the vocabulary or questions to the student's

goals. Communication growth is stimulated by carryover into the classroom,
reviewing of vocabulary, and shared participation by teacher and parents.

Cut/color/copy materials needed for each SLP Confession
session
While planning for speech “I REVIEW GOALS AT THE
therapy, make sure your sessions START OF EVERY SESSION.
are designed for fast assembly
MY KIDDOS KNOW EXACTLY
and distribution. Gather the
WHY THEY COME TO
materials needed and make the minimal
SPEECH AND OVER TIME
preparations. Better yet, have your students gather

and prepare their own materials and bolster their THEY CHEER ON THEIR
receptive communication by following directions! PEERS BECAUSE THEY

KNOW THEIR GOALS TOO!?
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