Getting to Know You (Conversation Skills)

If you ever had a young student with a language delay, I'm sure you have observed that it can be difficult for that child to find the words that are necessary to initiate friendships or  to begin a simple conversation.

When I teach these students I begin by setting up a very simple story that explains how to start a conversation.  The story is 3-4 sentences and describes the steps that he/she can use to get a peer's attention.  Skills such as asking questions, choosing different topics and turn-taking are scripted and broken down into steps.  I have observed that use a guide or script or breaking down each task helps the student to internalize the skill.  With consistent repetition and using different scenarios and situations, the student can make valuable gains.

Below I have provided a link to one of the activities I use with my students that lack basic conversational skills.

Getting to Know You

Enjoy!

Beverly

How to Make a Memory Game in PowerPoint

Hi,

Wow, it's the first day of 2014!  It's time for new beginnings. Is one of your goals, this year, to learn how to use technology in your class or therapy sessions?  Well, if it is and playing memory games with your kiddos is an activity you use, then this is the post for you.
 
I know my kiddos love memory games.  Memory can be played with all sorts of topics and subjects!  Language, Math, Science...I think you understand-no need to keep listing topics.  :)   Memory games are fun and beneficial for children and adults.

Memory games:
1) improve brain power (at any age)
2)  improve positive social interactions (with adults or other children)
3) improve problem solving, comprehension and reasoning skills
4) and of course, improves memory

Since memory games can be tailored to any age group, you can make variations of the game by using a low-tech models (cards) or high-tech models (computer programs, apps).

Today, I will be focusing on a 'high-tech' model.  I'm sharing 2 video- tutorials that will teach you how to make a memory game using technology-PowerPoint.  There is a third video-which you can search for on youtube. It's all there for you to view at any time.  Enjoy making an interactive computer based memory game!  Have fun!

 

    

Exit Ticket

Exit Ticket

An 'Exit Ticket' is a strategy that helps students to summarize and reflect upon information learned during a lesson.  

 An 'Exit Ticket' helps students to:

*  review key ideas

* summarize their thinking in a few words or sentences

An 'Exit Ticket' helps educators to:

* evaluate the effectiveness of a teaching process

* create an informal tool to measure a student's understanding of a lesson or a concept

There are several templates and types of  exit tickets that are offered in the internet that you may download.  Also, there is a wonderful website that helps you to create exit tickets digitally.  Educators can register for free, plus there are videos that guide you through the process of creating exit tickets. 

This is the website, The Exit Ticket Student Response System:

www.exitticket.org

Below I have offered an 'exit ticket' I created.  It is mostly visual, due to the needs of some of my students.  Click on the link.

Exit Ticket

I hope this is useful!

Beverly

Creating your own ClipArt and Icons with Microsoft PowerPoint

Hi,

Are you ready to set some attainable goals for yourself in 2014? I sure am.  One of my professional goals is to learn how to create my own clip art.  I've been searching for software that I can learn how to use.  I've found a few options, but it is quite of an investment for me at this time.  During my 'searches' I viewed a youtube video on creating clip art and icons with Microsoft PowerPoint.  Personally, this is a wonderful option for me, as PowerPoint is accessible, affordable ( it's part of my computer programs anyway ) and best of all I know how to use it!  I am sharing the video with you!   I can't wait to try it!   :)    Enjoy!

I hope some of you find this useful and that you will be able to reach your personal and professional goals in 2014!

Happy New Year,

Beverly

A Gift from Me to You!

Hello All,

I'd just like to take this time to thank you all for your support by reading my little blog.  I love sharing and giving to others, especially during this season.  I hope you all have been able to use some of the activities and freebies.  To show my appreciation, I am sharing another activity with you.  This one is a bit more substantial as it has many more pages than what I usually post. I hope you can use it and if you can't and know someone who would benefit from this freebie, please refer the person to my blog.

Click the link for the freebie.  Merry Christmas (because this is one way that I acknowledge my savior Jesus Christ), Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Kwanza.  Whichever way you celebrate this season, I wish you ALL; happiness and much love.  We all need LOVE!

A Gift for You!

Enjoy!

Beverly

Basic Concepts and Temporal Directions Activity (Pirate Theme)

Hi Everyone!

If you're looking for a basic concepts and temporal directions activity and you love pirates,  click on the link for a freebie!

A Pirate's Life for Me


Enjoy!

Beverly

Parking Lot and Landing Strip Vocabulary Activity

Hi,

I've created an activity using a parking lot and landing strip as a motivator to increase knowledge and usage of antonyms, synonyms and homophones.  I used it with my own students and they really enjoyed this one and were engaged in the activity.  Click on the link for access to the activity.

ParkingLotLandingStripVocabulary




Enjoy,

Beverly