Just because we’re labelled the “speech teacher” doesn’t mean we spend our days sorting out lisps and funny “r’s.” Most of us spend the majority of our time working on language and communication in all of its forms–spoken, written and read, and all the social skills that go along with them.
Take a look at why you should raid your speech closet ASAP!
1. Redundant materials: Our students require much more exposure to a topic and minute increases in difficulty level as they work toward mastery of a skill. This means instead of one lesson on comparing objects with -er and -est endings, I might have twenty.
2. Engaging activities: We’re used to competing with classroom homework, ballet, soccer and karate for after school time, so our activities tend to be irresistible fun! Sometimes this means adapting a traditional game you already own or creating something novel.
3. Social skills: We love social skills! As a result, SLPs have lots of ideas for “get to know you” games and icebreakers.
4. Creativity: Our tiny budgets and expensive specialty tests and forms mean we are particularly sensitive to price constraints. We are very creative with what we already have!
5. Listening tasks: You don’t need to sell us on the importance of following directions! This ever present goal in our room means we have hundreds of ideas for targeting attention to detail, concepts like before/after and multistep directions.
6. Tough cases: While I couldn’t manage a classroom of 20+ all day, I have endless patience for that ultra-fidgety, disruptive kiddo in your room. Ask me for ready-made reward charts, fidgets (to keep hands busy) and 2 minute movement breaks to help keep that one in line.
7. Parent resources: Parent handouts are a standard part of our practice and cover everything from developmental milestones to recommendations on reading at home to when to start kindergarten.
8. Data tracking: We love research and data collection! When you need a journal article to support you approach or form to track progress, we’re the ones to ask!
9. Differentiated lessons: We specialized in differentiated education. Our lessons often include gross motor movement, fine moto skills and sensory experiences.
10. Stuck in that utility closet at the end of the hall and often running between several buildings, SLPs are often starved for interaction with colleagues! We’ve got a gift for gab, so please join us!
