Sublime Speech http://sublimespeech.com Speech therapy with a twist! Sat, 06 Jun 2020 01:20:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.25 Tricks of the Trade Blog Hop http://sublimespeech.com/2014/03/tricks-of-trade-blog-hop.html http://sublimespeech.com/2014/03/tricks-of-trade-blog-hop.html#comments Mon, 10 Mar 2014 12:00:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2014/03/tricks-of-the-trade-blog-hop.html
I am SO excited for this new blog hop!  If this is your first stop… welcome!  Some of my favorite SLP blogs are sharing Tricks of the Trade with you through this hop.  These are things that we have learned or do in our therapy that we love and want to share with you!  Hopefully you’re finding some great ideas to integrate into your therapy rooms!  If you’d like to start from the beginning, head to the bottom of this post and click on the First Blog graphic.  If you’re ready to move on to the next blog, click the Next Blog graphic.  When you have hopped through and grabbed all of the letters that we have posted in our blog hop posts, head over to Allison’s Speech Peeps to enter to win one of the TpT gift cards that we have up for grabs!
Now, for my “Trick of the Trade” I wanted to give you some great ways to utilize Google Chrome and Google Drive to make your life easier and to enhance therapy!  Here are my top 5 ways to utilize Chrome/Drive for therapy and in general!
1. Drive – Forms
You can utilize google forms for creating data tracking forms like the one above.  Simply create a form that allows you to choose the client (I just use initials), the date/time, minutes seen, etc. and a data box and you’re all set.  This form automatically puts the submitted information into an excel-like document that you can view and/or print out!  This form is accessible from any computer or tablet which makes it very portable!  This has really helped me to stay organized!
2. Chrome – Bookmarks/Apps
So, why should you use Chrome over other browsers like Explorer, Firefox, and Safari?  Here are a few reasons.  When logged in, your bookmarks, history, apps, themes, and much more are automatically synced to any computer that you log in to.  This is really nice for traveling SLPs and for syncing home and work preferences.  Also, if where you work wipes your machine each year like they do at mine, your bookmarks will be lost using other browsers.  With Chrome they are hosted remotely so nothing will be lost.  Also, Chrome has “Apps” which are shown in the photo above.  You can look for free apps to utilize in therapy and/or to help you with your paperwork, etc.  Some of the ones I am looking into are pictured above including an age calculator and IEP Writer (interesting!).  Chrome also has “extensions” like “Youtube Options” that removes the ads and surrounding videos on YouTube!  Perfect for showing YouTube in sessions without those sketchy “R Rated” movie ads and weird video suggestions afterwards!
3. Drive – Docs
Utilize Google Drive – Docs to create Office-type documents including Documents, Presentation, Spreadsheets, Forms, and Drawings!  These creations can be edited remotely by as many as you’d like through the share feature!  This can make collaboration with staff, parents, and other SLPs much easier!  You can create documents to utilize in therapy as well and access it through Drive from any computer!  You can also upload any Microsoft Office product into Drive which converts it, if selected, to a Google Doc automatically!  Perfect for storing documents and for editing and sharing documents with others!
4. Drive – Collaboration
As I stated above, you can collaborate with others utilizing Google Drive/Docs.  After uploading or creating a document, you can customize the share options.  You can share the link or publicly.  It can also remain private or be shared with specific e-mails only.  I have utilized this to create professional development presentations with other group members as well as working collaboratively with other SpEd team members on accommodations for testing and other scheduling information.  It’s great to have something that automatically saves your work as you edit!  No lost work!  I encourage you to try out drive!
5. Chrome – Google+
 Utilizing Google+ can be a great way to connect with other SLPs, friends, coworkers, and family.  For SLP purposes, you can follow other SLP bloggers and interact with them through communities and by following them in your circles.  You will first need to “upgrade” to Google+ (free to do) and update your profile with a bit of information.  I suggest at least adding a current photo, place of work, and any other information you feel comfortable sharing.  Then, I would suggest finding some people to follow in your circles and google communities to join!  A few that I follow are Speech and Language Therapy, Disability & Assistive Technology Today, Pediatric & School Based Therapy Group on Google+, EdTech, and more!  Dive in!
So, there are 5 ways to utilize Google Chrome and Drive/Docs/Communities for yourself and in therapy!  I hope it gives you some good ideas about the amazing resources that Google has created!  Please let me know how you utilize it and/or any questions that you may have!
On to the hop… here is the next letter you will need to collect to be eligible for the big prizes!  Write it down and head to the next blog!  Good luck!
Also, head to Facebook and “like” Sublime Speech for goodies!!!
]]> http://sublimespeech.com/2014/03/tricks-of-trade-blog-hop.html/feed 5 SpeechPage {Materials Monday} http://sublimespeech.com/2014/02/materials-monday-speechpage.html http://sublimespeech.com/2014/02/materials-monday-speechpage.html#respond Tue, 04 Feb 2014 07:00:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2014/02/materials-monday-speechpage.html
I was given the opportunity to check out some materials from SpeechPage this school year.  With my new caseload of children with severe Autism who are nonverbal and utilize AAC to students with articulation errors only, diverse materials are music to my ears.  Here are the products that I previewed:
The first thing that I got to take a look at is the “Tic Tac Toe w/S, R, &/or L“.  These boards have 126 different pictures in a seven SpeechPage set.  They are in heavy-duty laminate which is great!  They are also already hole-punched for easy storage in binders.  We use wet-erase markers or tokens when we are playing.  I also love that students with different sounds can play together.  There is also a blank template included so you can work on other sounds, vocabulary words, etc.  This set retails for $16.95!
I also had the opportunity to use the “Intro to AAC Requesting Puzzle Activity“.  Each set (they have several available) has four request for puzzle pieces SpeechPages.  As you can see below, there is a light outline of the puzzle on the sheet with velcro on it.  Students then request a brightly colored puzzle piece with velcro on the back in a few different ways.  We began by touching/handing the square symbol/item picture to me to request the piece.  Then we transferred the skill over to their device.  It was a much easier transfer of skills than other methods we had tried.  Also, the puzzles are motivating for students and they enjoyed the activity.  A therapy suggestion sheet is also included.  Each set retails for $26.98 (on sale at the time of this post for $21.58).
Finally, I have had the opportunity to trial “AAC Ask for 2-Step Outcomes” SpeechPages.  These are designed to allow the client to expressively communicate two specific requests to gain a desired outcome.  We utilized the bubbles and ball sets with one of my clients on multiple occasions.  They were able to tell me to dip the wand and blow or lift the ball and throw it.  We were then able to transfer this skill/vocabulary to their device and add to it as they could use other steps.  It has twelve different activities with 2 images each.  It also comes with a therapy suggestion sheet included.  This set retails for $21.99 (on sale at the time of this post for $19.99).
SpeechPages offer many other items that you can find on their site.  They have picture AAC & Autism sets, Articulation sets, Therapy Games & Motivators, Language sets, Life Skills, and binder bundles.  There are definitely some neat and practical sets available through SpeechPage.  We have utilized the sets above on several occasions this school year.  I am most impressed by their ready-made materials for AAC/Autism which is the most difficult thing for me to find for my clients.  Check it out!Disclosure: SpeechPage provided copies of these materials for review.  No other compensation was provided and all opinions are that of the author.

]]> http://sublimespeech.com/2014/02/materials-monday-speechpage.html/feed 0 “Games” and Speech/Language Therapy http://sublimespeech.com/2013/02/games-and-speechlanguage-therapy.html http://sublimespeech.com/2013/02/games-and-speechlanguage-therapy.html#comments Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:23:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2013/02/games-and-speechlanguage-therapy.html

“Man, it must be such a blast to be a Speech Teacher.  I mean, all you do is play games all day right?”

How often have you resisted the urge to “school” somebody who says something this misinformed?  We’ve been having our annual observations by administrators and I’m constantly concerned that they might observe a session where I utilize a mainstream game (aka non-therapy product) to target IEP goals.  You see, by the time they reach upper elementary most kids have played the “therapy games” 153 times and are positively SICK of them!  And, to be honest, I’m sick of them too!

I began compiling games for therapy when I took my current position.  Prior to this, I worked with nonverbal students, Early Childhood, etc.  I get most of my games for SUPER cheap at thrift stores.  I frequent those on Saturdays while I run errands.  Some of my games were even the ones I had as a child… free is best right?  I’ve found that sometimes teachers who have kids will have some of the games I’m on the hunt for and don’t have any problem loaning/donating them to your room.


I wanted to share with you some of the games I use and what I use them to target:

Oodles of Doodles – In this game students are given a category in which there are objects/people/events, etc.  When it is their turn, they draw the items on their card on a board with dry erase markers.  Their team/partner attempts to guess what they are drawing.  This game targets expressive language in a different way.  Instead of naming shapes, colors, sizes, function, etc. of an object… they must draw it to get the partner to accurately guess it.  It also reinforces categorization skills and expressive language task of naming objects/events.  Sometimes I allow them to use different color dry erase markers to reinforce color attributes.  Keep in mind that you may need to adjust which cards are available to draw from because some are too difficult for younger children.

Blurt– This game targets the expressive task of naming vocabulary and word-retrieval.  This is one of my favorite games for 3rdgrade and above.  Each card has a “riddle” of sorts on it which describes an object, etc.  I am usually the reader and give this clue.  The first kid to “blurt” the answer moves ahead.  There are several ways to vary this game for differing levels.  Again, keep in mind that you may need to “throw out” harder cards.  There are differing levels for this game and it would be appropriate for middle/high school as well!

Headbanz– A speech room classic.  If you don’t have this in your speech room please go get in your car, drive to the nearest Target/Wal-Mart and purchase it!  This is my go-to for younger (well, even older kids love it) students to work on ASKING questions.  I give them prompts and help them as needed.  This also works on students who need work on answering questions.  Students place a card on their head without looking at it and begin asking WH questions to narrow down what they might be (What color am I? Where would you find me?).  The only con is that sometimes the illustration keeps kids from accurately answering certain questions (color, etc.).  A simple “Yes, that’s the color of it on the picture but what can it be in REAL life” helps to change that!  Pro is that this is EXTREMELY motivating… they find it hilarious!

TriBond Kids/Jr.– Occasionally we will pull out this game with my older students as it is pretty challenging.  Students are given 3 things/names/places and asked what they have in common.  It’s great for students working on categorization and vocabulary skills but again, can be pretty difficult.  Be prepared to modify the game to your needs.

Taboo Junior/For Kids– This is one of my favorite games for therapy.  It works on SO many things!  If you’ve played the adult Taboo… this is just the junior version.  Students draw a card with a word at the top that they must get their team to guess… without using the words listed below!  It’s very tough for expressive language kiddos to do this without prompting at first.  Here are some things we’ve discovered Taboo works on: Synonyms, antonyms, functions, shape, size, color, location, vocabulary, and so much more!  For receptive vocabulary it can also be great for identifying the word given through the clues.  There is very little I have to do to adapt this for therapy.  You do need to have readers but typically this game is successful with my 3rd graders and above.

Outburst Junior – Another great one for naming things within a category.  Students are given a category and race against the clock to name as many things in that category as they can.  Their opponents can steal unsaid things at the end!  While the most recent version of this game would be best, I have a 1989 version that is nearly 25 years old.  I have to throw out some cards that are no longer relevant to my kids but other categories never change!

Cariboo– When I found this at a thrift store for 75 cents I nearly died!  It can go for so much more than that on Amazon/Ebay!  I usually use it for a simple reinforcer game but it can be used for identifying colors, numbers, and shapes for Early Childhood kiddos.  You can also easily adapt the cards on it with artic/language cards.  Kids unlock squares to find hidden bouncy balls which are placed in a chute to open the treasure box. (Cariboo Island is a little easier to find and has a similar game structure)

Password Jr.– This game is one I typically use with expressive language kiddos.  It can also be used for artic carry-over etc.  Students try to get their teammate to say the “password” by describing it in only a few words. (Baby: A small human)  I also created a “Secret Word” game that is very similar to Password and will work with the decoders provided in the game (I’ve put it on sale for only $1 until 2/8/13!).  It targets CCSS vocabulary.  Pros – great for describing terms.  Cons – students need to be readers unless you can whisper the word quietly enough which is surprisingly hard to do!

Jenga/Jumbling Towers/Tumbling Towers– This is my most-requested game.  I mainly use it for articulation as seen in this post.  I write artic words on both sides of the blocks and when students pull that block they say the word or put it in a sentence before placing it at the top.  Great for groups, speech centers, RtI, etc!  You can typically get 50+ words/blocks before it falls.  You can increase words said by having them say the words that are on each side of the block on each turn.  I also have them say all of the words on the blocks as we put them back in the box.  This gives me another 50+ words at the end of a session.  Sometimes it’s difficult for my lower kids to understand that they can’t pull certain blocks or the whole thing will fall on the 3rd turn of the game so you may need to prompt them.  I’ve also thought about putting CCSS vocabulary on the blocks for each grade…

Many SLPs have made companions to some of the other games I have.  I use my companion Sorry Synonyms & Apologetic Antonyms with my SORRY! game.  Several SLPs have cards for artic that can be used with Cariboo, Candyland, etc.  But, some of my games (Trouble, Connect 4, Blokus, etc.) are for reinforcement/reward only.  They are games that kids can take turns independently with while I work with the other student in the room.

So the next time somebody says, “Man, it must be such a blast to be a Speech Teacher.  I mean, all you do is play games all day right?” You can say, “Actually the kids think they are playing games but they are really increasing their overall language and articulation skills.  But, yes, it IS such a blast to be a Speech-Language Pathologist!”!

So, what “mainstream” games are in your speech rooms and how do you use them?
(I will pick a random comment to win 1 free item from my TpT Store!)
]]> http://sublimespeech.com/2013/02/games-and-speechlanguage-therapy.html/feed 58 Shhhhh…. It’s a SECRET WORD! http://sublimespeech.com/2012/12/shhhhh-its-secret-word.html http://sublimespeech.com/2012/12/shhhhh-its-secret-word.html#comments Thu, 13 Dec 2012 05:04:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2012/12/shhhhh-its-a-secret-word.html This SLP likes a challenge… and figuring out this one was just that!
In a quest to find new curricular vocabulary activities for my students, I decided to adapt one of our favorite games “Password” with CCSS-based curricular vocabulary. There are several game variation ideas included in the instructions to meet all instructional and carry-over levels.  I made cards for grades 1-5 Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA.
A total of 54 game cards (540 terms) – 12 First grade (120 terms); 12 Second grade (120 terms); 13 Third grade (130 terms); 8 Fourth grade (80 terms); and 9 Fifth grade (90 terms).
Scorecard and Template Cards included for expansion/customization.
 
To play the “classic” game, players form teams or play individually. Players take one card which has ten Secret Words on it and place it in the decoder sleeve (pictured below). A spinner/dice determines which word will be the password for this round. The clue giver can give multi-word clues and use pantomime (although I typically don’t allow this to promote expressive language skills). Teams alternate turns until someone guesses the Secret Word. Any player who guesses the Secret Word is awarded the point. 
No worries if you don’t own the game/have a decoder.  Red sharpie and plastic/plastic wrap are your friends here.  You can easily fashion a DIY decoder using those materials.  You just need something red to make the red portion “disappear” as seen above.  (Figuring out how to make this work took several attempts… but now that I have it figured out, watch out red decoder windows EVERYWHERE!)
If you want to give it a try… head on over to Facebook for a giveaway.  You can also learn more and pick up this material in my TpT Store.
Please leave feedback below!
]]> http://sublimespeech.com/2012/12/shhhhh-its-secret-word.html/feed 1 New November Materials… and Giveaway! http://sublimespeech.com/2012/11/new-november-materials-and-giveaway.html http://sublimespeech.com/2012/11/new-november-materials-and-giveaway.html#comments Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:29:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2012/11/new-november-materials-and-giveaway.html November has been a whirlwind month!  Though I did not finish my entire November to-do list, I made a dent in it with these new materials:

Arctic Artic: A collection of words, sentences, and games for winterized articulation fun! Includes words, sentences, and playing cards for /r/, /s/, /th/, /sh/, /ch/, and /l/, as well as 2 board games and a bingo template. The playing cards are a full deck of 52 playing cards with articulation words on each card (total of 208 cards!). The penguin theme adds a bit of winter fun to the pack to use even past the holiday season! We have had a blustery blast playing this game!

Reacting Robots: Robots are designed to “react” to directions. This game targets following 2-step directions and/or 1- and 2-step conditional directions, including age-appropriate concepts (first/then, before, after, at the same time), when presented verbally/in written form in a fun robot-themed game! There are 12 cards for each type of direction (total of 96 direction cards) and 12 extra turn and 12 Miss a Turn cards. Students follow the direction they hear or read and collect the robot card. The student with the most robots at the end of play is the winner.  A blank template of the cards is also included for your convenience and creativity!  The kids are loving the robots.  If you loved the Listening Ladybug game, this will be a great addition!

Idiom Farm: This material is designed as an instructional tool and game for the learning of idioms. Included are instructions for each game (matching, go fish, and farm game), a farm scene printout for use during the farm game, 104 pairs of idioms/meaning cards (208 total cards), 8 fence/sunflower cards for farm game, and a blank set of cards for additions or other creative uses.

Perhaps the best part is that you can WIN a copy of these by entering the following Giveaway:

Best of luck to you and head over to the Facebook page for more giveaways and Facebook-only treats!  (We are so close to 1,000 likes… if we make it there by midnight on December 31st, 2012 we will start the year off with some huge freebies!) 
]]> http://sublimespeech.com/2012/11/new-november-materials-and-giveaway.html/feed 44 Facebook, Thank You, and FREEBIE: Speechopoly http://sublimespeech.com/2012/10/facebook-thank-you-and-freebie.html http://sublimespeech.com/2012/10/facebook-thank-you-and-freebie.html#comments Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:31:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2012/10/facebook-thank-you-and-freebie-speechopoly.html It’s been a busy month for me, and I’m sure you’re all feeling the crunch of being over halfway through the first semester!  I wanted to take a minute to break away from the pile of eval paperwork on my desk to send a little bloggin’ love your way:
Facebook: A HUGE shout-out to my new (and long-time) Facebook followers.  Social media has really changed our field in recent years and I believe it has been in a positive way.  Never before have SLPs been in such constant contact with others, sharing INCREDIBLE materials, and rejuvenating our field in amazing ways.  Facebook is one of those social media outlets.  We had a goal to have over 500 “Likes” on Facebook by the end of October and I’m so excited to say that we have FAR surpassed that goal.  As of this morning, we were at 693 likes and growing!  This is going to be such a quick and easy way for you to keep track of new blog posts, freebies, giveaways, and so much more!  If you aren’t already a fan, head over (click here) and “Like” us on Facebook!  We will have exclusive giveaways there frequently so you don’t want to miss out!
Thank You: A huge thank you to my fellow SLPeeps, particularly Jenna at Speech Room News for helping meet the above goal!  Keep up the great blogging and amazing resources!
Freebie: Now, on to what you’ve been waiting for… The thank you to our increased number of followers is a freebie… Speechopoly.  This is an incentive bulletin board I developed and have been using this quarter.  It is a huge hit with my kids of EVERY grade!  It is made to fit a 45″ by 45″ bulletin board.  I took pictures of my students doing various poses, printed them as 2″ high pawns, cut them out and laminated them and stuck a thumbtack through.  Now they each have their own tiny version of themselves to move around the board.  

This is how we do it:
At the end of our session I decide if they gave me their “best” effort or a “good” effort.  If “best”, they get to roll both dice and move.  If only “good”, they can roll one die.  Then I help them move their pawn person around the board.  I tell them what they’ve landed on and oftentimes what that means (e.g. Contrast Court – contrast is when you say what is different about objects, people, places, etc.).  There are chance and community chest cards as well with various rewards and consequences on them.  As the students pass “GO” they get $10 Speechopoly money to spend or save.  If they choose to spend it, they can purchase varying items from our “Speech Store” (basically a treasure chest).  If they save their money, I keep it in an index card box with their name attached.  They can save up for larger rewards like lunch with me and bigger prizes.  I also afford an extra roll to students who bring their homework back to me.
The bonus is that if you print the PDF out as 4 pages per sheet (File->Print, Page Scaling: Multiple Pages per sheet, Pages per sheet: 2×2) it will print out to be approximately the same size as the tabletop board game and you can use it as a board game reinforcer within therapy sessions!  I’ll post a photo of this when I’m finished with it.
Click Here to get the freebie from my TeachersPayTeachers store, and check out the other materials while you’re there!
I hope you enjoy Speechopoly.  Please share how you use it in YOUR speech room!
]]> http://sublimespeech.com/2012/10/facebook-thank-you-and-freebie.html/feed 12 Great Free Apps for SLPs http://sublimespeech.com/2012/10/great-free-apps-for-slps.html http://sublimespeech.com/2012/10/great-free-apps-for-slps.html#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:18:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2012/10/great-free-apps-for-slps.html I’ve had a few co-workers and followers ask for free/cheap apps that I use regularly.  As of today, the following are free:
This app allows you to choose any phoneme, location, and blends/etc. to do.  You can record the child’s voice and play it back now or LATER!  It keeps the percentage for you over multiple sessions, keeps track of which words were correct/incorrect.  The only way to work on multiple sounds would be to “star” them when going through the flashcards or in “shuffle” mode.  The great thing about “star”ing words would be that you can “star” words that the student had difficulty with and go back to do them again.  I did notice a few minor spelling errors and words that have the particular letter but not the artic sound you are looking for (e.g. an /s/ in the /sh/ blend instead of alone).  Overall a great app…
The biggest controversy in speech sessions often occurs BEFORE we begin our activity.  The decision of “who goes first”.  This little app is simple and useful.  Simply have each student place and hold a finger on the screen.  The Selector then spins around and lands on one finger.  That person is “chosen”.  They LOVE this too and often ask to do it multiple times even after a person has been chosen to begin.
WDNB is a fun way to build vocabulary and classification skills. For each question, your student will see five pictures appear on the screen, one of which does not fit with the others. The child advances to the next question by dragging the picture that does not belong into the trash can in the lower left corner.  Before dragging it to the trash can, expand by asking them to identify WHY the picture does not belong and WHAT the other pictures have in common.
 “Story Wheel” is an educational game that improves cognitive abilities. Players record a story by spinning the wheel to get a picture, and then narrate a portion of the story. When done, you can listen to your story with animated pictures.  This is great for sequencing, memory, story-telling, and vocabulary in a sentence.  It is useful for all ages.  Sometimes we decide on a setting, characters, and genre/tone before beginning.  We also sometimes choose their favorite story of the session to e-mail to their teachers!
The Out Fit 7 Ltd. “Talking” Apps
I use these for reinforcement, articulation (they repeat everything you say), fluency, etc.
A simple to use timer in the form of a traffic light. Set whether you want it to run red-amber-green or green-amber-red, set the times in minutes and seconds and then off it goes! A bell chimes as each light changes.  Awesome for use with students with ASD and those who have difficulty focusing during sessions for a long period of time.
Toontastic: Play, Create, Learn! by Launchpad Toys
Toontastic is a storytelling and creative learning tool that enables kids to draw, animate, and share their own cartoons. Making cartoons with Toontastic is as easy as putting on a puppet show – simply press the record button, move your characters onscreen, and tell your story. Toontastic records your animation and voice as a cartoon video.  This is another great app for sentence-level vocabulary, story-telling, expansion, grammar, etc.  The kids LOVE creating different characters, devising stories, and animating.  Play with it a little yourself before using so you are familiar with how to best use it.
 ABA Animal Flash Cards: Contains images of over 100 animals. With early language development in mind, there is textual and audio description so your student can begin to develop and comprehend further language concepts.
 ABA Food Flash Cards: A collection of over 100 every day foods. Basic audio and textual descriptions of each image. included.  Use it to “describe” foods, categories, etc.
ABA Receptive Identification by Noun: Helps children comprehend simple instructions and practice effective listening skills.  With over 300 images your student will be asked with mixed and varied phrases to identify common everyday objects and people. When your student responds appropriately they are highly reinforced with verbal praise and random visual praise.
  ABA Receptive Identification by Class: Includes over 350 concrete photos presented against a non-distracting white background.  A new expressive language Q&A component to this app has been added.  The student is asked to receptively identify an item by class then asked to (intraverbally) name additional items within that same class.
ABA Which Go Together?:  An  introduction to associations that helps students develop visual discrimination skills as well as basic understanding of different objects and events.  They added a simple Q&A to the app for children to practice expressing “why” things go together.
 ABA What Rhymes?:  Rhyming is a basic component of phonics and very important pre-reading skill that prepares young children for spelling and decoding words.  Teaching rhyming words sets a solid base for reading comprehension later on.
Bluster! by McGraw-Hill

This is a great word matching game that develops vocabulary and word understanding for school-aged children.  In single-player mode you will learn and practice important word skills. Match rhyming words, prefixes and suffixes, synonyms, homophones, adjectives, and more. You can also choose to collaborate with a friend in team mode. The multi-touch iPad screen allows both players to play simultaneously, so you can work together to weather the vocabulary storm.

Our favorite is versus mode where they can play head-to-head. Disrupt your opponent with weather attacks like tornadoes and blizzards!  Bluster includes over 800 vocabulary words. Choose a skill to practice and then students try to make matches of three. Ten matches wins a round.

 Other freebies that I have but did not (yet) elaborate on are: MadLibs, ArtikPix, Quick Artic, BrainPOP/BrainPOP Jr., TxTools, SocialSkillsBuilder, ABA Emotions, SparkleFish, StoryLines for School, WH Questions, Hungry Hippos, Snakes and Ladders, 4 in a Row, Draw Animals/Monsters/Santa (When it goes free), Pinterest (to access boards with photos set up by other SLPs).
Please leave a comment about any others that are free that you use regularly and what for!  I’d love to get a more comprehensive list for our SLPeeps!
]]> http://sublimespeech.com/2012/10/great-free-apps-for-slps.html/feed 6 Sublime September: A month of FREEBIES! http://sublimespeech.com/2012/09/sublime-september-month-of-freebies.html http://sublimespeech.com/2012/09/sublime-september-month-of-freebies.html#comments Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:21:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2012/09/sublime-september-a-month-of-freebies.html It’s finally September!  This, in many areas of our amazing country, means a break from the heat for the first time in MONTHS!  We have had a record-breaking summer in Kansas City and I’m sure many of you out there have also been experiencing the heat.  
To celebrate this glorious month and reward my amazing “followers”, both new and old… I’m hosting a month of giveaways!

I forgot to post this last week so to those of you who did not catch the memo on Facebook, twitter and Pinterest, I will provide last week’s giveaway until next Monday HERE.

This week, I am giving away the 124-Page Pocket Game Super Pack on Teachers Pay Teachers.  This is packed full of language, artic, and more!  Hurry over, each giveaway will be good until the following Monday so this one will be free until 11:59pm on 9/17!  ENJOY!
9/18-9/24: Phineas and Verb
I will also be Raffling off copies of ALL my 10 priced items to you!  Now, if you see my storefront, there are currently only 8 priced items, the others are free.  This is because I’m developing 2 new items for September that will be included in this raffle.  So… there will be 10 ITEMS GIVEN AWAY at the end of September!  Enter now, enter often!  Tell your friends and co-workers, share on pinterest, tweet, and share on Facebook!  Check back here each Tuesday for the new giveaway and for introductions to the new items as they are released on TpT!

The contest has ended and I have sent e-mails to the following winners:
]]> http://sublimespeech.com/2012/09/sublime-september-month-of-freebies.html/feed 35 Fantastic Football! http://sublimespeech.com/2012/08/coming-soon-purchase-now-football-game.html http://sublimespeech.com/2012/08/coming-soon-purchase-now-football-game.html#comments Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:00:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2012/08/fantastic-football.html (Because it’s football season, I wanted to re-post this activity for you from May, ENJOY!)

I’m a sports girl.  Give me a field and a ball and I’ll play!  So, I love to integrate sports into my sessions.  (It helps that the majority of my caseload is boys though most of my girls enjoy the activities too)  The NFL draft was just a few weeks ago and then this weekend as I was perusing the dollar spot at my favorite store with a bulls-eye logo I found a great little item that I’ve  turned into a football game.  So, if you’re interested, go pick it up for $2.50 while it’s in stock! If you can’t find it or don’t want to spend $2.50 for this sturdy (chalk)board, there is a paper copy on the cards document for you!

This reinforcer game is simple.  You start on the 20 Yard-Line and then begin drawing cards.  The cards are passes, runs, and fouls for positive yardage as well as turnovers and fouls for negative consequences.  The object is to get your pawn to the 0 yard line (TOUCHDOWN!) and score.  Each time you do this, you may credit yourself/your team with 7 points and/or take a brown football “Touchdown Chip” provided in the document.  The team/person with the most points/chips at the end of the game is declared the victor!  
As usual, there are two links provided.  One, of course, is the free document.  However, as taking time to create and post materials adds up, I’ve begun uploading some documents to “Teachers Pay Teachers”.  If you are willing to “purchase” that version instead of the freebie, I would greatly appreciate it.  If not, the freebie is available to you as well.  Either way, thanks for coming to visit Sublime Speech!
Do you see other ways to use this material and/or the board?  Please share with us!
]]> http://sublimespeech.com/2012/08/coming-soon-purchase-now-football-game.html/feed 5 Art and Inferencing/Predicting Collide! http://sublimespeech.com/2012/04/art-and-inferencingpredicting-collide.html http://sublimespeech.com/2012/04/art-and-inferencingpredicting-collide.html#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0000 http://sublimespeech.com/2012/04/art-and-inferencingpredicting-collide.html I appreciate and love art but have noticed that my students have very little knowledge about famous paintings/artwork (much unlike their insane knowledge of cartoons, video games, and apps).  So, it’s difficult to find things that they do not have prior knowledge of to use for inferences/predictions.  I was browsing my photos of artwork that I took at the Art Institute of Chicago from when I lived there last year and thought that perhaps merging paintings and language therapy could yield interesting results!
I preface this material by saying that I have not yet used this with my students and therefore don’t know how it will turn out.  (Isn’t therapy all about trying new and different ideas though?!?)  So, I’d love your suggestions, reactions, and therapy stories… If I need to make adjustments to the document to make it more useable in your sessions, please let me know as I’ve only made the PDF available for this material.
I hope this is useful for you and that it is enjoyable and challenging for your students!
Download the PDF of the Artwork Inferences and Predictions document now!
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