Opposites

Lakeshore Learning has this product that targets opposites.  I bought it and had the kids play it. 

What I like:

It is a pretty good game that targets a lot of common opposite vocabulary. I often start the phrase "if you're not old, then you're ..." and then have the student finish it. I really like the clear, real pictures that are easy for children to understand. 

What I would improve:

The only negative thing I can say about this game is that all you can really do with this game is target the opposites. When I purchase items I try to use them in different ways so that they will target many different goals. 

This is just one of the many ways I work on opposites. How do you target them?

Cheers,

Mindy

Speech! No Prep, Freebie!

 

Here we are in April and I don't know about you but I am tired of the same old stuff! I need new resources and I want something that will sum up what I have been working on with my kids in speech! Plus I don't want to spend a lot of money on it!

What I did was made a no prep Freebie!

I wanted something easy to use that I didn't have to prep but would target A LOT of goals and get my kids talking!

This printer friendly (its black and white!) pack targets:
*pronouns
*possessives
*regular and irregular past tense
*present and future tense
*vocabulary
*sequencing
&
*prepositions!

I used a bingo dabber for the kids but you can also use markers, chipper chats, bingo chips or any other fun stuff you have on hand!

 
And, after you work on them in speech therapy you can send it for homework! Woo Hoo, carry-over for at home!

Please follow my shop for tons of freebies! I really appreciate detailed feedback when you download my products! It helps me to improve my products!!!

Thanks!!
Cheers,
Mindy 

Freebie!!

 

A great freebie for Pre-K!

A great center idea to identify the beginning sounds and corresponding letter!

Print and laminate and let the students use play-doh or another fun manipulative to cover up the correct letter that corresponds to the beginning sound of the picture. Great for learning beginning sounds and letters in different fonts.

You can also get the the kids use dry erase markers and practice their printing skills!

If you download them I would really appreciate it if you would leave me some feedback!

If you have any questions email me at mindyopcc@gmail.com!
Cheers,
Mindy
  

Initiative

 

 I love people who show initiative and go the extra mile!

Did you notice that so many people are just doing the bare minimum to get by? I especially notice this in the work place. People only doing what they have been asked and not going that extra mile.   And you know who suffers? Everyone! Your co workers, your clients and even you!

First let me tell you why I used this picture! I have an aide at a school who made this to house all of her materials! She went the extra mile to keep her work site neat, tidy and easy to use for herself and her clients! Great job Michelle!! LOVE IT!

Let me tell you why its good to show some initiative and go the extra mile...

1. Your clients! They can see when you are doing a good job and are showing some passion for what you do! If you portray enthusiasm and passion for what you are doing (when working with clients) your clients will do better and make more progress! They will also be happier to come and see you because it will be more fun! It is a lot easier to work with kids who are happy, having fun and excited to see you!

2. Your coworkers! When you work hard and go the extra mile it can set a precedence in your office or setting. Other people will see that you are doing things that you haven't been asked to do and do it happily. They will then start going above and beyond for your employer and clients! You know the old saying, one bad apple can spoil the bunch...? It is definitely true of lazy co-workers and bad attitudes! I have worked with people who rarely do their share of the workload and it goes unnoticed by employers. FRUSTRATING! But you know who always notices? The clients! And guess who they tell? Your employer! So just do a little bit extra... it will come back to you like a slingshot! I always think, if I was receiving this service what would I want? Then I do that. And you feel better knowing you have done a good job, regardless of what others around have (or have not) done. You have to live with your conscience :)

3. YOU! You, again, feel better knowing you have done a good job! You have the satisfaction of doing something altruistic- the right thing just for the sake of doing the right thing! 

Altruism or selflessness is the principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures and a core aspect of various religious traditions and secular worldviews, though the concept of "others" toward whom concern should be directed can vary among cultures and religions.

This is how I try to run my business, Creating Communicators. I have re-vamped services to meet needs of schools and varying budgets. I am providing services to areas who have been unable to afford services in the past or are so far away professionals have been unwilling to come to their site! 

What can you do today that is going the extra mile for your clients?

Have a great day, sincerely!

Cheers,

Mindy

Fair is not always equal!

 

For your copy click here!

I really like this poster! It shows that kids who require speech (or any kind of therapy) are getting what they need. Not everyone will need (speech) therapy but those who do need need it to start on a level playing field. 

I like the glasses analogy- If 1 person require spectacles and another doesn't, does the person who has glasses have an unfair advantage? NO! It is the extra bit of support a person requires to see the same as a person who doesn't require glasses. Not fair, but equal!~

Occasionally, I will have teachers saying "well, its not fair to the other kids!" Meaning the kids who come to speech therapy have an unfair advantage. 

They get pulled out, they usually get a reward, and then they get to play a game. Other kids, and staff, can see this an a reward.

 No, its not! The other kids may not need the same support! One way to get around it is push-in therapy, or language centers in the classroom! A good argument supporting push-in therapy, that way students don't leave the classroom!

Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for pull out therapy, too!

Read this 

on inclusive practices for more info! 

Just remember everyone gets what they need to be able to be successful socially and academically, its only ethical!

Ok, I will get off my soap box....

Enjoy your weekend!!

Cheers,

Mindy

 

Quick Vocabulary Activity

 

Well, here in Alberta, it is back to school from Easter break for most of us! Now if you're feeling like I do, you need something quick and easy to use to help you transition back into work life ( I want to go back to bed!!) 

  Vocabulary!

Many children that I work with have trouble sorting and identifying items in categories and I wanted something that I could just grab to target this goal. I wanted something easy that didn't involve a lot of prep but would target many groups and different parts of the vocabulary goal. In speech, I have many students and they have a lot of different goals so I need a lot of materials. I need them to be easy and quick to use because I have a large case load, I work with 7 schools! I also need them to be small and light! I love games, who doesn't, but I can't carry 50 game boards in my bag!~ These activities are small and can be printed and put onto rings, you don't even need to laminate them! :)

This vocabulary product that can be used in speech therapy but it can also be used as a quick activity for teachers. It is designed so that teachers can grab a ring of pictures and get their students to carry out the task quickly. It is a great activity to get students to practice their vocab. while they are in line, getting ready to wash their hands for lunch or anytime their are a few minutes of downtime in the class. Included are: they're all (where the student identifies the category name of the items), categories (where the student identifies items from certain categories), functions, attributes, and associations.

http://creatingcommunicators-mindy.blogspot.ca/2016/04/quick-vocabulary-activity.html

It is on sale for only $1 this week!!

Like my fb page and you leave your email on my facebook page I will email the first 50 people a free copy!! If you want to message me your email instead, you can do that too!

:)

 

Have a great week! :)

Cheers,

Mindy