How to tell others that it's time for speech...

Hilarious...I'm sure many of you are familiar with this scenario. You ask so and so to get so and so from Mrs. Smith's classroom. He goes to the door, opens it up, and yells into the classroom, "We need xxx to come to speech now!" Here is a video model of what NOT to do:

And here is a video model of what would be better:

I had so much fun making these! I hope you can use these with your students to help them understand the polite way to interrupt class!

More to come soon!

Pragmatic Skills & Video Modeling

My coworker and I have started making videos of various pragmatic language skills. I can't wait to share these with you! First of all, they make me laugh. For all of them, we will show a model of what to do and what not to do. The first one (see above) shows you how NOT to initiate conversation when someone is working. Notice, my coworker doesn't even say my name to gain my attention. She's essentially talking to the back of my head.

In this next video, her initiation is a little bit better. She at least addresses me by name to gain my attention.

In this video, she provides a good model of how to initiate conversation....

I can't wait to use these with my students to show them what this looks like. I rarely have another adult in the room or a good peer model, so this is the next best thing! I hope you can use these too!

More to come...
*How to tell others to come to speech/language
*How to maintain conversation
*How to terminate conversation
*Turn taking
*How to change topics
*Making relevant comments
*Expected versus unexpected responses to questions
*Body language
*Eye contact
*Proximity
*Greetings/partings
*Gaining attention of others
*Watching the listener to gauge their reaction
*Polite refusal
*Good sportsmanship
*Joining a conversation
*Using an appropriate voice for the message

Enjoy!

Beginning of the Year Slump

I don't know about you, but I always have trouble in the beginning of the year with lesson planning. I start providing services to students on Monday and am drawing a big blank when it comes to lesson ideas. It always takes me sooooo much longer in the beginning of the year!! By October, I'm a pro- knocking down a whole week of lesson plans in one hour on a Sunday night. But right now, I'm staring at the cursor with no ideas!! My first day, I have 4 students I'll see for "Speedy Speech" (5 minute articulation 1:1 sessions), 2 speech groups, 2 language groups with students with autism, 1 semantic language group, 1 snack group for students with autism, and 1 pragmatic language group.

I rather work on decorating my room...

I love my smallish classroom! My first year, I was in a huge classroom and it was too much space for me and my students. I had some trouble with students getting up and wandering, looking around, etc. In this room, students are better at staying seated when I need them to be. Love this room!

Help me with my writer's block!!! What would you do with my groups????

Day 4: Monster Emotions FREEBIE!

I work with many students with autism who find it difficult to make connections between the emotions they are having and the vocabulary to express it. Today, I have another free resource for you: Monster Emotions. I must say, I ADORE these monster graphics. They are so cute! I will be using these cards to help my students learn more about emotions this coming school year. I can imagine some pretty funny role-playing/charades-like activities with these cards!

Here's a preview for you:

Hope you enjoy! Download it here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Monster-Emotion-Vocabulary-Cards-1294536

I also have had several students that can identify emotions in pictures, cartoons, and others, but cannot label it when it comes to their own emotions. In the past, I have used a mirror, so that whenever they are having a feeling, I can show them what they look like to help them recognize what they look/feel like when happy, sad, angry, or mad. Does anyone else have some ideas for helping children learn how to identify emotions in themselves?

Have a wonderful day!
Grace