Poppin' Place Value Freebie

 

If you are looking for a way to review place value with your students, you will love this adorable Poppin' Place Value I Have Who Has Game. I Have Who... Has? games  are a great whole group activity that can be used for review, test prep, fluency, listening skills, and mental math.

This set includes 30 cards that focus on place value with an adorable bubble gum - poppin' theme. Answer key is included. Your students will love practicing place value with this fun game! 

You can download this freebie here.

What My Supervisor Wants Me To Know... (plus a freebie!)

I have been supervising graduate interns a couple semesters now.  Each semester I learn more and more as a supervisor.  Whether you are taking a graduate student intern or if you are an intern (going to be an intern soon) this post may give you some guidance!

• Don't hesitate to ask!  We want you to ask questions.  We don't expect you to know everything.  The worst thing that can happen..your supervisor may say "try it and see!"
• We expect you to make mistakes!  You are learning!  We may let you make a mistake purposely so you learn from it.
• Be flexible!  Don't be so focused on making a lesson go exactly as planned.  It may not and that is ok.  We want you to change and adapt if necessary.  Don't write a lesson plan with step by step of what you plan to do and think you have to stick with it. I know I would rather you write a framework.  With that said...
• Plan for the unexpected.  What can go wrong?!  Can you predict all of the scenarios?!  This way, you can be prepared for it all!
• Use time wisely!  Use prep time to look up ideas, browse through my materials to get ideas, collaborate, evaluate progress data, work on paperwork/data collection/reports to write.  There is always something to do!
• Be organized.  Either get a lesson plan book or create your own ways to write down everything.  This way, you remember: did you do that lesson with that group yet?  What materials will you need for each group?  Keep your materials in a way that doesn't get ruined if it rains and you can easily find it.  Since you are a traveling SLP (placements and school), you want to keep things in a way that you can be the most organized.  I used these expanding file holders.  I would get a large one for worksheets and activities I created.  I would use a small one to hold articulation cards I created and picture visuals.  I would also use index card holders to hold flash cards I made using index cards!

• Observing isn't a free session/break.  We want you to learn from us.  I know when I have students observing, I plan specific lessons on purpose.  I want them to see certain things.  What goal was I addressing?  How did I reach it?  What behaviors of the students did you observe?  How did I handle behavior management?  How did I differentiate?  I created a form that I like my graduate students to use while they are observing me.  This way, they have a guideline of what to look for.  Not only that, they also have written down several lesson ideas that they can take away with them!  

If you are a supervisor, you may want to offer this form for your graduate students.  If you are a graduate students, you may want to impress your supervisors having it ready to go to take notes!  I made this form available as a FREEBIE in my TpT store.  You can access it HERE!

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links!

Back to School Round-Up! (activities, freebies, ideas, and more!)

Although it is sad to think about, it is time to prepare for back to school.  Some of you go back in August while others, like me, go back in September.  Regardless...I have made your life easier by putting a variety of back to school materials and ideas available from this one post!

My Activities:

Back to school basic vocabulary pack

Back to school early language file folder activities

Back to school articulation roll, say and color

If you take a mouse to school storybook companion pack

My freebies:

Back to school wh- board game

In the backpack articulation practice

Whole Body Listening

My data/organization ideas/resources:

iPad Rules Sign

Receptive & Expressive baseline data collection

RTI Pre-referral speech/language materials

SLP Annual Review Kit

Speech/Language newsletters

Speech Memos

Speech word art

Speech/language therapy note template

Organization Fun Blog Post

My favorite books:

I hope this round-up helps you organize and prepare.  You can also view my round-up post from last year by clicking HERE!

Scheduling Would Be Easier If... (tips, ideas, and a freebie!)

Scheduling is probably the most HATED aspect of the job.  Many dread going back to school after a relaxing summer because of it.

I recently posted on my Facebook page the statement for you to finish: "Scheduling would be easier if..."  Below were the common or funniest responses:

• If I didn't have to do it
• If teachers were flexible
• If I had a magic wand
• If I was retired
• If I was the only service provider
• If someone else did it for me
• If I was a millionaire
• If I could get kids whenever I wanted them
• If the administration didn't change the schedule
• If I could group kids based on goals not availability
• and so many more....hop on over to my page to see them!

My one word of advice...RELAX!  It will get done, it always gets done!  What do I do?!

• Go through entire caseload, double check mandates, find out what classrooms everyone is in and see what other services they are receiving
• I use Excel and make spreadsheets to help keep myself organized
• I walk around to each teacher to let them know that I have a student in their classrooms on my caseload and to make sure I have their up to date class schedules
• I make sure with administration there are or aren't any "blocked" times I am not allowed to pull students from 
• Grab a blank schedule: either draw it onto a HUGE dry erase board, make it on a file folder, use it directly on a computer, or print it out and work on a piece of paper.  Do whatever works best for you!
• I like to go through each student and write down what times they are available.  See if there are similarities in availability with students of similar age/grade/goal (if ideally possible!)
• Start plugging these slots into your schedule.  Move around if necessary.  Be flexible..it's going to change once you find out when the social workers, OTs, PTs, resource room teachers, and others need these students!  I like to create groups, write them onto Post-Its and move the post-its around the template!
• Write in pencil or something that can be erased!!
• Each time you change your schedule, DATE IT!!!  There are so many times I forget which version was the most recent one!!

How else do I stay calm, organized, and focused?!  I give memos to teachers with their students' speech times.  This allows for quick transfer of communication and they can easily let me know if there are conflicts by writing on the memo back!  I have shared my memo used as a FREEBIE in my TpT store!  It is so easy to use.  All you have to do is complete it with the student's name, circle the days of the week and write in the time!  

You can access it by clicking HERE!

Quick Articulation Data Forms! (ideas and a freebie!!)

I've been browsing the speech therapy Facebook groups a lot lately.  It seems like data collection is a HOT topic!  People have been asking about forms, methods, etc.  I have also seen people talk about 5 minute articulation programs.  Yes, there are quick articulation programs commercially available (I have reviewed on my blog two programs currently available -- check them out by clicking HERE and HERE!).  But I also like to create my own programs that can be individualized for my specific students! Soooo....I created my own form that I can easily use to create a program and collect easy data!

This form I plan to use this next school year.  Before the student comes to speech, I will fill out a chart section.  Each section has 10 slots for a "target."  What can the target include:

• sounds in isolation
• CV, VC, or CVC words or nonsense words
• words
• phrases
• sentences
• or anything!

I have a slot of the top for the date, place to put + or - to mark data and a place on the bottom for total results.  I plan on photocopying this form double sided and making MANY copies and placing them in a file folder on my desk.  Once I start completing these forms, I can keep them in the students folder, file in my filing cabinet, or in my data collection book that I keep for ALL my students.  Learn more about this book by clicking HERE.

How will I create my word lists??  It depends on the student!!  Do I need one syllable, two, or more??  Have they mastered some words but not others??  Do I was minimal pairs?  There are TONS of word lists available on the internet!  One of my favorite websites to grab word lists is Home Speech Home.

I know I am looking forward to this method since it is easy to prepare, use, and collect data. You can access this form in my TpT store FREE by clicking HERE!

Back to School Roll, Say & Color VERBS! (freebie!)

My roll, say and color articulation activities are such a hit I decided to create a fun one that can be used to target verbs in a variety of ways!!

Grab 2 dice, print the page of the target sound working on, and some crayons and you are ready!  No laminating involved!

Students roll the two dice.  One dice will tell them which row to look at.  The second dice will tell them to count across to determine the verb! 

You can have students use these verbs to work on the following goals:

–Expressing present, past, or future tenses

–Determining if it is a regular or irregular verb

–Using verbs in a complete sentence

–Using verbs to ask a question

–Use the verb to tell a story

–Or more!

To grab this freebie, hop on over and "like" my Facebook page!!  Then visit the "free downloads" tab!!  It is as simple as that!!  Already a fan, well then just grab it!  If you like it, leave a comment, it may inspire me to create more similar to this in the future :)

The Curriculum Challenge (PART 2!!) --- freebie plus a giveaway!!

Did you catch my previous post regarding the "curriculum challenge?"  I have received amazing feedback from it!  I have also received several questions...so...I have answers and more!

What are some places you go to for curriculum materials/resources?

• Ed Helper:  This website has great reading comprehension activities.  I have taken short stories and created speech/language activities with them.  Like what?  Pull out articulation words, make Venn diagrams to work on compare/contrast using facts from the text, and creating timelines to work on sequencing.
• Reading A-Z:  This website has leveled books.  They have books related to curriculum content areas.  You can print out ones at your students' level.  It can be used for working on vocabulary.  It can also help you understand what vocabulary words students are expected to know related to that curriculum topic.
• Teachers pay teachers!  Just search for the topics your students are working on!!  You will be surprised how many resources you can find!  I have found great sorting activities for vocabulary concepts, cause/effect activities, and other graphic organizers!

How is this different than what a resource room teacher or classroom teacher will do?

We have a different approach!  We work on skills first, then carryover.  For example, work on compare/contrast, make sure students understand how to and can express responses using complete sentences, then give them two science terms to compare/contrast.

We can break down the concepts and see where our students will struggle with our knowledge of their difficulties.  If your students can't answer wh- questions, they are going to struggle answering questions about a text read in their classrooms.  What can we do to help?  Make visual aids to help them recall the different wh- questions.  Pull out the text and show them how using their visuals can help them!

What kind of form do you use to keep teachers informed or to ask what they are working on?

I have created a newsletter template that can be easily completed to keep parents or teachers informed on what is going on in your therapy rooms.  It can be difficult to touch base in person with EVERY teacher you work with (especially if you are in multiple buildings).  You can find this newsletter resource in my TpT store by clicking HERE!

I also have a standard form I use to easily complete and place in teachers' mailboxes.

How do I use these?  I make several copies, cut them apart, and store in a file folder on my desk.  This way I have them ready to go!  All I have to do is complete for a student or place in a teacher's mailbox for them to complete regarding a student.  Although some teachers don't like extra paperwork, others have found that by completing these, I am able to help them and their students more and found it worthwhile!  You can access this freebie in my TpT store by clicking HERE!

I hope these posts have helped you with the curriculum challenge!  How about a giveaway of my speech newsletters?!  Enter to win below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Organization Fun!

Organization fun --- is that even possible!?  Well...every summer, I am always looking up ideas and trying to come up with new ways to be organized in the upcoming school year.  I try my best throughout the year to keep organized.  I will say, when I am organized, I definitely do a better job!  I remember to complete all tasks before upcoming meetings, paperwork is up to date and completed, and reports are written in a timely manner.  

This week, I am joining in a new linky with Busy Bee Speech.  Check out her blog to see how she and other bloggers stay organized!!

How do I stay organized?!  I use a data binder to keep everything in one place.  I use a binder with a clear insert on the cover.  In here, I put my schedule.  In this binder, I have tabs for each student.  For each student, I have an IEP cheat sheet, parent communication log, IEP goals printed out, an attendance form, and a data log for progress monitoring.  Check out my previous blog post about this binder by clicking HERE!

You can grab a FREE copy of my data collection form in my TpT store by clicking HERE!

What are my organization goals for next school year?

• Clean up my drawers filled with lesson materials so I can find things easily and quickly.
• Keep frequently used graphic organizers/worksheets in a nearby spot so I can easily grab them at any point.  I found these great magnetic holders that I can use!  Click HERE to see them for yourself!
• Not forget about some great materials and products that I have!!  Things get hidden or pushed into the back of cabinets and I forget about them!  Boo!  So not fun!
• Put things away right after I use them!  I hate the piles and clutter!
• Remember to look at my calendar and planner!

Have you seen my other previous posts on organization??  

Data, data, data!

Show me the data linky

RTI Update

Love it & list it: organization fun

Worksheet Wednesday

Today I am linking up with a free worksheet for The Teaching Tribune's Worksheet Wednesday!

Who doesn't love a little School House Rock?

My students had so much fun learning about subjects and predicates with Mr. Morton.  

I made this free worksheet to go along with the video.

You can find some more freebies at my store here.

And.. don't forget to hit the linky at The Teaching Tribune to find some more amazing freebies from amazing bloggers!

Also, if you haven't entered already, head over here for a chance to win a $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Certificate!

Rainy Day Synonyms! (freebie!!)

April showers bring May flowers!  April is here!  It's looking like the weather forecast for the next week or so is looking like a lot of rain here.  I may be on spring break but I know many of you are already back at work after yours.  Is it rainy by you?!  Looking for some fun rainy day themed materials?  How about a freebie to work on synonyms using context clues?!  Check out this one!!

Four clouds with adjectives are provided.  Students must match the raindrop sentences with the cloud that has the synonym of the underlined word!  Encourage students to use their context clues to help figure it out!

Provided activity in black and white in case you want to use this as a craft!  Students can color all of the pieces as they match them and then glue them onto construction paper!

You can access this FREEBIE in my TpT store by clicking HERE!

5 For Friday April 11 2014 Giveaways and Freebie!

One more week until Spring Break, one more week until Spring Break, one more week!  I can do this!  Not quite time for Spring Break yet, but it is time to link up with DoodleBugs Teaching for Five for Friday! I always love peeking into everyone else's week and sharing mine!

This week started with baseball opening day.

We had to arrive at the park at 7:15 AM to get ready for opening ceremonies.  It was absolutely freezing!  As you can see from Luke's expression and attire, it seemed more like football weather than baseball weather!

Luke is playing Farm this year and is doing great!  He has already been complimented as one of the best ball players on his team!  Woo hoo Luke!

Do you see that snack haul?  One of the moms handed out bags filled with kettle corn, Big League Chew, baseball cards, and Gatorade!  Setting the bar high for snacks!

Tyler was camera shy and I only got shots of his back - this one was the best I could get of him.

He is #34.  He is playing mostly first base this year and pitching a little.

This week was our state tests.  In Nevada they are called CRT's. I left a note for my kiddos as a word of encouragement.

I call them Smurfs because they wear blue uniforms :D  We may watch a lot just a little bit of Kid President!

After testing most of the morning, I tried to make afternoons a bit more entertaining with some fun math games.

In case you didn't notice... my blog has had a major face lift and I LOVE it!

In honor of the new look I am having a giveaway!  Be sure to enter if you haven't already!  Also, there is one more day left to enter my monthly $25 TpT gift card giveaway.  I give one away each month, so even if you don't win this time, be sure to follow so you can enter again!

Last but not least, I have a freebie for you!

You can download it for FREE at my TpT store.

Guest Posting At Classroom Nook - FREEBIE ALERT

Today I am guest posting over at Classroom Game Nook.  You see, Rachael is a little preoccupied for the moment after giving birth a little less than a month ago to the most precious little girl ever!  Anyway, this is my first guest post EVER, so I am quite thankful for having this opportunity.  I am sharing this fraction domino freebie over there, so you will most definitely want to check it out.

Be sure to set aside a little time, because if you have never visited her blog, you will find yourself immersed in all of the AMAZING activities she has to share.  Don't say I didn't warn you!

Before you go, make sure to enter my Teachers Pay Teachers $25 gift certificate giveaway if you haven't already!

Manic Monday Freebie!

Manic certainly describes today in the Malloy household for sure!  I woke up this morning like any other ordinary Monday, took hubby to work and was working on getting the 8 year old ready when my 13 year old came up to me crying, "Mom, I really need to go to the doctor!"  He had been complaining about his ear hurting yesterday, but he said it was worse this morning.  So... I rushed to my computer to dash off some sub plans and request a sub. I went to the school to drop off said plans and other son and began to make copies. Of course the copier in my wing was down so I had to rush to the other hallway! AGG!  I really hate having to get ready for a sub and I keep cursing myself for not making emergency sub plans, but I never seem to get around to making them.  Anyway.. finally left there and took my son to the doctor where it was confirmed that he has an ear infection and tonsillitis.  Well, at least I had the time off to complete a new freebie for you!

You can download it on Teachers pay Teachers here or Teacher's Notebook here.

Hoping your day was less manic than mine!

Winter Context Clues Graphic Organizer FREEBIE!

I have been searching high and low for an organizer to fit my needs for working on context clues.  My students are having a hard time identifying HOW they developed their answers.  They have a hard time locating the actual clues.  I took ideas from a variety of sources and put them all together to create one that works for me and my students.

I created one with a fun winter/snow theme to use for the next few weeks!  How will I use it?  I will use this graphic organizer worksheet while reading a text or playing a context clues game.  Students can fill out a row each time we come to a work they do not know the meaning of!  It doesn't need to be completed in one sitting or one activity which is best part!  It can be used with a wide variety of activities/task cards/texts!  I love graphic organizers that can be used so widely!  It teaches students how to use context clues and offers tons of practice!

It is available as a freebie in my TpT store which you can access HERE!