Page 2 - Literacy Based Speech Language Therapy Sample 210216
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Literacy-Based Speech Language Therapy Activities


               Introduction




                       We have been studying literacy-based intervention for the better part of a decade, have given
               numerous presentations, written papers, and have created a plethora of activities to use with our

               favorite stories.  Most importantly, we have spoken with YOU to gain ideas, insight, and inspiration.
               We have heard the requests for these materials to be readily available to speech-language pathologists
               and educators across the country.  And more than just templates, you wanted to know HOW we use

               these materials to help our students improve.  The development of this literacy-based therapy book
               stemmed from teamwork, collaboration, feedback, and commitments to create effective therapy
               materials that can be easily implemented and utilized (especially with the busiest of workloads and

               schedules).

               Why narratives and storybooks?


                       As educators, we rely heavily on narrative abilities when assessing our students’ skills.  We
               ask children to tell us about events, retell stories, write about events in their journals, and answer
               questions about stories or passages they read.  We then analyze and judge the grammar and content

               of their story, the order of events, the semantic complexity, and the narrative elements.  Finally,
               employing the full power of our professional wisdom, we determine whether a child is “within
               normal limits” or not.  Heavy stuff if you think about it.  Those of us who signed up for this

               profession are proud to take this challenge head on and make decisions calmly and seriously.  But
               what do we do at this point?  WHAT DO WE DO!?  This is where this book comes in.

                  Storybooks provide a platform to address academic needs and therapeutic goals

                           simultaneously while accounting for social and cultural factors.

                       We are here to tell you that a child’s linguistic abilities can be stretched, grown, strengthened,

               built – brought up to what the world deems “within normal limits” and surpassed.  Not in years but
               in months.  And YES!, even when their culture is different, when they speak another language, and
               when their situation dictates that no one at home reads or has any familiarity with academic

               expectations.  One other thing…are you sitting down?  This not only works better than many of the
               other interventions, but it is really fun, too.  High levels of learning coincide with high levels of
               engagement.  That means for both your students and YOU!  The use of storybooks and the activities

               suggested here have the power to reengage us in our profession while the students are having fun
               and tearing through their goals.



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