Beginning Sounds

Beginning Sounds Train

I bought this beginning sounds train that you can use in language class to target phonological awareness - beginning sounds.  The kids love the hands on activity and the cute, bright pictures. 

 This fun-to-use sorting mats make it easy for kids to identify beginning sounds! Children just select an activity mat, then find 3 picture tiles that match the sound on the train’s engine. Plus, each tile is double-sided, with a picture on one side and both a picture and word on the other—so kids can sort at just the right level! Set includes 20 activity mats and 60 chipboard tiles.

For articulation, you can use this activity to target words or phrases. For F, you could say "I found a foot on the train, etc." It is just a different way to make artic. just a little more fun!

You can buy it here for $16.99~

Enjoy!

Mindy

Apps

I always get this question from teachers and spec. ed coordinators- what apps are good to use for speech and language. I thought I would make a list of some I use often.

For articulation I always use Articulation Station- it's easy to use and the kids love it!

My other favourite is Preposition Remix. You can chose which concepts you want targeted and it will give you a a print out of data! Love it! So easy!

Therapy Assistant Association of Alberta

Therapy Assistant Week

 

Therapy Assistant Week is September 19 – 23 

Tell us what your site is doing to celebrate. Not sure what to do? Check out our website under “TA Week” for ideas and printable posters. Be sure to capture pictures of your activities and submit them to our Photo Contest where you could win prizes!
Make sure you check our website often for updates on Events, Employment Opportunities and other TA activities happening in the province. If you have an upcoming event, job vacancy or activity, we would be happy to post these for free as a benefit to our members. Email your information to therapyassistantaa@gmail.com.

Don't forget to look for me at the U of A and Glenrose, Wednesday Sept 21, Presenting on why you should become a THAAA member! :) 

Thanks, Mindy


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Great Fall Ideas for Speech Therapy!

September can be a fun time! It is when we are getting back in the groove of school and meeting our new caseload. We set a precedence for speech therapy, how it can be fun, the rules and the way we like to run our gig! My motto is you don't get paid if you don't do the work- if the kids don't have a good attitude (positive) or if they aren't trying then I don't let them play the game or pick something out of my treat bag :) It works well, I rarely have any behavior concerns. Once they meet me a couple times they know what to expect and all (usually) goes smoothly. I try to make speech fun,  stay positive and always try and make my "kids" feel special! 

Back to September... I wanted to give you a few ideas on how you can make September go easily without a bunch of work, you know kind of ease in to it  :)

1. A new product of mine- a no prep printing pack that you can use 1 on one or in groups to target vocabulary! All you need is a stapler and some crayons!
 

2. Back to School Pack- targets pronouns, beginning sounds, and more!

3. The Fall Speech Pack- targets pronouns and possessives, along with following directions.

 

 

And each of them are under $2!!

SLP Must have!

Well I'm a day late ha ha! Anyway I am still going to post my pic for SLP Must have!
My  September pick for SLP must have is my 

articulation mats!

They are so cute, colorful and reusable!

Only $1.50 today only!!

Cheers,

Mindy

Frankie's Food Truck Fiasco

I bought a few games in the spring and thought I would get them out and ready to go for my caseload. I bought Frankie's Food Truck Fiasco Game.

Here are a few things I like about it!

1.  Increase Vocabulary- You can talk about each food item with your kids. What does the food look like, its shape, where does it come from, etc. Describe the items.

2. OT- the squirrel cat tweezers (not sure what else to call them) helps those kids with pencil grasp and other fine motor skills. Target 2 areas at once, great for those kids with a dual diagnosis. 

3. Turn Taking- help the kids with taking turns and conversation skills.

Check it out and tell me what  you like about it!

Coloring & Vocabulary Skills

 

Many times I am working with groups and I spend all of my time managing behaviors. Ugh! So I came up with an idea to use coloring (easy!) to keep those little hands busy.

This pack contains activities that target vocabulary such as associations, what doesn't belong and labeling the category.

I really like this (if I do say so myself) and think I might try this idea and use more speech and language targets.

Back to Shool Ideas for Speech

September is here and that means back to work, if you haven't started already it won't be long :) I have mixed feelings, I am excited about getting back into the swing of things but I'm always a little sad to say goodbye to lazy days, campfires, and beach days.

To welcome September I made a list of some favourite freebies for September...


  I really like this freebie that targets verbs ( you can use it for pronouns too!) Thanks Impeccable Speech!

A really good product to help with pronouns. Love the pictures and the amount of examples- lots of practice here! It also targets it which I like because there aren't many products that target this goal.Thanks!Kathryn Garcia

Now I know the next one is for December but you can really use it any time (it's not Christmas theme). It targets some sight words and color words along with phonemic awareness skills - beginning and ending sounds, rhyming, etc.

photo credit: Lost on blue via photopin (license)