Looking towards summer....

This school year, more than any other that I've experienced thus far, has been challenging. So many changes come with getting a new superintendent and principle than I realized or noticed during my student days. 

I am grateful for the challenges, the changes, and the growing that both my students and I faced this year. It has made all of us stronger. 

I am grateful for the ideas rolling around in my head for next year. 

I am grateful for other SLPs continuing to visit this blog. It keeps me inspired to find new ideas and make new materials. 

And, I am grateful for summer being right around the corner. 

To everything there is a season....

It's hard to believe that it's May 11th and the end of school is just around the corner. I've been busy with kindergarten screenings and the teachers are just starting the end of year district benchmark assessments. It is a little bit different than our previous benchmarks as the entire school schedule has been shifted. 

The change and working on cause & effect with one of my inclusion groups inspired me to try my hand at making a foldable activity. 

Students have to tell me a possible consequence (effect) of the written action. Then, they get to pick a number and do whatever is hidden.

 

The actions range from making a silly face to describing an object and even to play-acting what they would do/say in the situation.

You can grab your copy of Consequences here.

Lessons from Kindergarten Screening

We are currently in the middle of Kindergarten Screening. It has really snuck up on me this year. My mother and grandmother are certainly right in saying that time has a way of passing you by before you even notice it. So here are my reflections on this year's screening.

1. The test developers REALLY need to consult with a Speech-Language Pathologist before creating future articulation tasks. They also need to consult us on the horrid "I Spy" task too. 
2. I hate tweezers. 
3. The language section seems to take 10 times longer than any other section. (The only exception to the rule is when you have someone taking a really long time to score.)
4. The screening goes much more smoothly when everyone pays attention to what sections a child has/has not completed and brings them to X area for a needed section. 
5. Blocks should not be used in the children's waiting area. It makes it very difficult for other children to pass the hearing screening.
6. You will always have a least one kid who pitches a fit at the sight of the headphones & audiometer. Unfortunately, some are easier to reassure than others. 
7. You will always have someone show up late when its about time to leave.
8. Never say "will you"....without expecting someone to eventually refuse.
9. The rhyming task is a nightmare. Always has been and always will be. 
10. You will be ridiculously tired the next day for no reason at all.