How do SLPs make their schedules?

Scheduling is hard, really hard. The first year I was an SLP, our reading specialist came in and helped me organize all my groups and figure out how to do it. It was a blessing! I don't think I would have figured it out without her! I want to share with you how I do it now (independently!).

First, print out or write out a paper copy of your caseload that includes the child's name, their grade, their teacher, and their minutes divided into 4 columns: articulation/phonology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics.

So I would write out/print out:
                                                                           Artic          Semantics          Syntax          Pragmatics
Johnny Smith      K      Mrs. Alligator                    60                  30                   30
Mary Mellow     K       Mrs. Alligator                    30                 30  

etc.

Group all kindergarten together, all 1st grade together, etc.

Second, see what kind of groups you can make. I try to group 3-4 students together, all with the same goal area (semantics, syntax, etc.), all in the same grade. If they're in the same classroom, that's even better. If same grade isn't possible, I usually group K and 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and so on.

Third, block out times in your schedule over which you have no control (i.e. duties). I have morning duty, lunch duty, and dismissal duty.

Fourth, grab your school's master schedule and try to get schedules from every teacher as well. I try my best to pull from science and social studies. Our school does not allow us to pull from gym, art, music, recess, etc. Sometimes, I end up pulling from reading or math and that stinks. Sometimes, there are no other options. It's okay!

Fifth, make an excel spreadsheet. Across the top, I put days (we use an A-E schedule, but Monday-Friday would also work for some). Down the left-hand column, I write times. Our day starts at 9:00 and I usually have 30 minute groups. So I have 9:00-9:30, 9:30-10:00, and so on.

Sixth, start plugging groups in, cross-checking with the master schedule, the special education teacher's schedule, and the teacher's schedule to make sure there are no conflicts. I like to color code the groups as well- orange for speech, red for language, yellow for mixed groups, blue for plan time, evaluation time, and lunch, and green for supervision duties. I'm also very lucky because our special education teacher often works around my schedule.

You will inevitably have groups that have to start at odd times (2:20, 1:35). You will inevitably have to change it once it's written. You will inevitably have to have mixed groups. It's okay! You are creative and you will be able to address every one's goals!!

Good luck to everyone who has yet to start the year!!! Welcome back to all who have already started!