A New Year, a New System

You know what I love about being an SLP? I never do anything the same way twice! Imagine if I was in a classroom proper and I was bound by the same curriculum year in and year out!

Each year I find myself taking stock of what worked, what didn't, and what might with a little tweaking. This reevaluation keeps things fresh for both me and my students.

At the beginning of this school year I was thinking about how to modify my room and my positive behavior system, at the same time as I was unpacking my materials. I was also thinking about how I could encourage my students to be more invested in their speech program and to have more autonomy. As I was unpacking my materials and my thoughts I came upon the new Test of Word Finding-3. I typically remove my tests from the boxes because they take up less space. Now understand, I have a difficult time discarding things and garbage is no exception (check out this post). The TWF-3 box was just awesome and I wondered how I could use it.

This is what ensued. I first painted and decorated the box to match my owl-y room decor.

I then added "poly-pocketed" dividers. Using washi tape I indicated the grades on each tab, K-8. I can then keep any relevant grade level materials in the pocket.

Last year I gave each student a library pocket to store their speech bucks. The speech bucks were made by The Dabbling Speechie, but unfortunately, I cannot find the link to purchase them. I had them taped to a cabinet door, but they kept getting ripped and the speech bucks fell out. I gave each student a file folder and taped each library pocket on the inside. The pocket also has a name tag that is placed on a clip chart for behavior management. Initially, each student personalized their folder and was given an explanation as to how we would be using them this year. 

Personalized Folder by a kindergarten student :)

When students enter the speech room, they grab their folders. Inside I placed everything we might need for speech.  

I add two months worth of homework. The students can select the page they would like for the week. This gives them autonomy and I am not scrambling for homework every day.

Having students keep track of their own data helps with carryover and ownership.

Each student with articulation goals has a copy of Mia McDaniel's "steps to good speech" in their folder. I also placed a copy of my letter of introduction in each folder for the first week of school (thanks to Natalie Snyders).

Each folder contains a graph where students can plot how they are progressing in a particular goal area. This a great motivator and provides them with some accountability.

I keep several copies of Teach Speech 365's ISIP sheets to send home with students. This is a great way to communicate with parents about what you have worked on as well as letting them know that their child has received their services that day.

I am loving this new system and so are my students. They are so cute when they walk in and grab their folders, look to see if there is anything new in there and place their name tag on a clothespin! They are particularly excited about choosing their own homework. I have one student who faithfully NEVER completed homework. Since being able to choose his own he has completed EVERY one!

I wonder; am I the only SLP that changes things every year? Comment below and share some of your reinventions.

Ahoy! Talk Like a Pirate Day is Upon Us!!

Back to school has absolutely capsized me! While I was actually looking forward to a calm return, it just didn't pan out that way. I came back to reevaluations, referrals, IEPs, and the bane of the school SLPs existence; the dreaded schedule!! Alas, my social media fun was stowed like cargo and I was out to sea without a paddle.

Fortunately for me, there are creative SLPs in this big blogging ocean to help keep me afloat with material, so I am linking up with Tracy of Gold Country Speech for some pirate fun.

I love capitalizing on a theme. It makes my therapy planning easy, engaging, and productive. International Talk Like a Pirate Day is no exception. In fact, I like this one so much and I have so many materials, I stretch it out over two weeks.

I am not a prolific TpT author (future blog post topic). On the contrary I think I'm a pretty lame TpT author, however I am a pretty good SLP. I have a few clever ideas and I know how to utilize the clever ideas of others. This post doesn't contain products, just a couple of ideas that my students love.

First of all, I LOVE to dress up! It just adds a little bit of spunk to things. (I like this picture...I look thin!) Then I inject an accent here and there throughout my speech, I "talk like a pirate." Yes, for two weeks ;) I will admit I love accents. I am fairly good at them, too, except Russian. That /l/ eludes me. I have been watching some YouTube videos on how to perfect my accent.

My pirate book booty is only four books large. If I know myself, it will expand!

I found a mini Pop-Up Pirate game on Amazon last year. It was very inexpensive. Yay! Not really, it stopped popping pirates this year! Boo!

My son loved(s) his Play Mobile toys. He would spend hours creating a "set up." When he spied me bringing this to school, he got a little nervous. I had to assure him that I wasn't plundering his collection. He's 15.

I have a subscription to Vocabulary A-Z and I love it! I created data sheets (if you would like the data sheet, comment with your email address and I will "ship" it off) for intermediate and middle school students and pair the vocabulary with articles from Wonderopolis and Newsela. My middle school students have been reading the Wonderopolis article, which I pasted into Google Read and Write, watched the corresponding video and then designed their own pirate flag. After creating the flag they wrote a "biography" of their pirate using the Expanding Expression Tool. I suppose now you understand why this takes two weeks!!

Of course, I use the myriad of materials I have amassed from the SLP fleet of amazing and talented folks in addition to the aforementioned. Here are a few of the items that are part of my pirate arsenal: Jenn Alcorn , Sparklle SLP, Speech Snacks

Well, It's time for me to lift anchor and set sail and I promise, no more pirate puns!

R.I.P. Pen and Paper

As the controversy over whether students should be taught cursive rages on, I thought I would celebrate what is quickly becoming a lost art, putting pen to paper. I have previously mused on the benefits to heart, mind and soul from writing (Writing Heals) and my predilection to collecting (The Ties That Bind). Among my hoards of "stuff" I possess varied writing journals that serve varied purposes! I have my vocabulary journal, my verse mapping journal, my childhood journals, my journal of positive thoughts, and on and on. It is remarkable to reread entries. It's my autobiography! I have wept when I read about my sadnesses. I have laughed at the comedy that has been my life. I have looked at my foibles with eyes crossed and wondered at what a doofus I have been. I imagine my future as an old lady and dream of contentment.

Today I decided to feature a guest blogger, writer. Grampa Joe, my dear friend's father, is determined to keep letter writing alive, so encourages his grandchildren to write him letters. He occasionally writes to our son. Mack is always excited to receive a handwritten letter, although it is not easy for him to read the cursive. I also am excited! What follows is a recent snail mail treat.

Dear Mister Mack,
The use of pen and paper is becoming a vestigial skill among your generation, as most have now evolved into thumb twitchers, screen strokers and keyboard tappers. For years G.A.S.F. (Grampa's Augmented Stimulus Program) has provided an incentive to grandsons and others to learn and retain this skill- not unlike the ability to send a cedar shaft with turkey wing feather fletching on target with a wooden bow as opposed to the carbon fiber, plastic fletched arrows released by a mechanical wrist gizmo from an engineered pulley bow. Your reward is enclosed.

It's good to hear that you and Deadeye Dad will wear your bobcat bones this season and look forward to learning how things work out. My cervid [NOTE: this word is now in my vocabulary journal!] population is sparse and mostly nocturnal but apple trees heavy with fruit this year and clear trails through the yet un-mowed pastures are welcome signs. I plan to place tree stands this week.

Thank Annie Doyle for her note as well. It prompted me to visit her blog with _______'s help on her computer. You are fortunate to have parents with useful skills to share with you. Be well.

It is so enjoyable to hold paper in my hands and slowly read and reread. What is the cost to our fast past texts and emails? As pen and paper goes the way of bag phones, Spencerian Script, and disco so does spelling and proofreading! Society has two seconds to fire off a text or an email with little time to thoughtfully proofread for typos OR content or to even write cleverly.

A birthday present for our daughter! They"abe" cool!

Really? Needs no caption!

Grampa Joe is clever! After a weekend away with his friends and their family, Mack returned home with an artifact. He had "won" it for figuring out the riddle pictured here. Do you know what this picture represents? The first person to comment with the answer to this riddle can choose any item in my TpT store. My store is not the best, I will admit, but free is free, right? Have fun and good luck!

The Frenzied SLPS: Data Collection (and a freebie)

Summer vacation is winding down! I refuse to even consider that summer is over, because it isn't! Technically, of course, summer isn't over until September 21st and I'm holding on tightly! However, it does appear that my restful vacation is coming to a close and I have to return to work on Tuesday. I am mindful of how fortunate I am to have this time of rest and recuperation, but I will miss it nonetheless.

As our minds shift from relaxation to school speech language therapy the Frenzied SLPs decided to share data collection techniques and freebies. My data collection is cut and dry: no bells and whistles, no clip art, data,  just data. I also prefer paper. Some tricks old dogs just can't learn. :)

When progress report time comes I simply collect the percentages corresponding to the trimester I'm reporting, find the median score, and report the data. I use a median score rather that an average in order to eliminate the outliers. To find the median score arrange the data in order from least to greatest. The number that is halfway into the set is the median. If there is an even number in the set, take the two middlemost numbers and average them for the median score. As I collect the percentages I mark each box with an X or check, color-coding by trimester so I don't report the same data twice! I take data for every session. It's just the way I am. I also write an anecdotal. It makes progress reporting, parent conferences, and staffings so much easier. I only write a line or two. When I print, it's double -sided.

Sample data collection

I have included my preferred form. It is in a PowerPoint platform so it can be edited to your hearts delight! You can grab your data collection freebie here.

Now I'm off to the porch with my coffee and book (Noooooo, I won't go back!).

An InLinkz Link-up

Summer Linky with Sparklle SLP

Here is the story of my summer linky! This is not your typical blog linky, this is a story of how two bloggers became close friends and linked up. For real. In person.

There are so many internet horror stories, but this post is not about the evils of the internet. It's about what it can be that is good! I have written before that social media has provided me with some of the "best friends I have never met!" I have made countless connections and established professional and personal relationships, but some of these connections are special.

I began following Sparklle SLP  quite some time ago, I think by first connecting with her TpT store. I then moved on to her blog, Instagram, and then her Facebook Fan page. We began chatting through email, Facebook messenger, and Instagram sharing ideas, materials, life events. I will admit, Sparklle shared more materials than me because she is MUCH better at materials creation, but I shared more of my life, because it is an open book. Sparklle chooses to remain anonymous, however I had come to care deeply for this person. Actually, I have come to care deeply for many of the men and women I have "met."

One day this summer I was reflecting on these relationships and considered that life is too short. I have met some SLPeeps face to face (Erik Raj and I "link up" whenever we can), but I want to meet some more of my friends in person. I want to bake with Mary of Old School Speech. I want to hike with Pam of Chit Chat and Small Talk. I want to watch a Doctor Who marathon with Heidi. I want to simply talk long and leisurely with Amy of 3D SLP. So I texted Sparklle and proposed a crazy idea: Jim and I wanted to drive 1600 miles round trip to camp with Sparklle! To my relief she didn't think it was crazy!

It was a texting frenzy to prepare, but when I finally saw my friend on her bicycle with her three beautiful children I almost wept! I felt as if I had known her all my life. We are at different stages of our lives, she, in full blown mom mode and me much freer as the Mom of older teens. I must say, I longed for those mommy moments as I watched her with her children. She and her husband graciously gave us the tour of their beloved beach community, took us for the best ice cream EVER, provided boat rides replete with tubing (OMGosh that was fun!), and shared her life and family. Jim and I also had a chance to enjoy each other and I was introduced to some delicious drinks in cans!

Our home away from home. I love camping!

What became clear to me is that most people are good and represent themselves authentically. Social media can be scary, but more often than not it can be a gift, bringing people together to share ideas and lives. It was hard to leave them and I wish we lived closer together. I am comforted in knowing that this was just the first of many more opportunities for a "linky." In between we will have to be content with sharing emails and messages, photos and phone calls, but one thing is certain, I am a better person for having made these relationships and I am grateful.

The Frenzied SLPs: Surviving the First Week

D-Day is quickly approaching! August 26, 2015 is the day the teachers in our SAU (school administrative unit) return for our staff breakfast and in-service. Summer vacation has flown by, but it has been wonderful. I have spent blissful days leisurely drinking coffee on my porch, puttering in my garden, reading, and generally relaxing. I love these lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer and wish they would never end, but end they do and back to work I must go.

My first few weeks are chaotic. It seems my brain completely shuts off in June and when I return to school I feel like I've never worked as an SLP before!
Here is part of my week one to-do list:

1. Unpack and inventory materials purchased through speech budget and delivered over the summer.
2. Collect teacher schedules.
3. Update caseload database with frequency of services, grade, teacher, reeval date, IEP date, etc.
4. Update student lists to include any Special Education student who moved to the district during the summer.
5. Determine, with my new SLPA, how to divvy up the caseload.
6. Begin scheduling being sure to include preparation periods as per contract. Ideally this is done in concert with the OT and PT.
7. Screen K-5 students new to our school.
8. Check database for IEPs and evals that need to be done A.S.A.P.
9. Send note to teachers asking if they have articulation concerns about any students in their class  (I just want to be sure no one has slipped through the cracks).
10. Create a new homework tracker template.
11. Plan a generic, no-prep first week of therapy.
12. Find an ice cold corona and a tart lime!

Unfortunately, I also need to be prepared to revise my schedule again and again and again as the glitches in teacher and student schedules arise. In years past the first week of school has been difficult, but I was a different person and I'm praying for a smooth uneventful start. I can do this...again and so can YOU!

An InLinkz Link-up

We Can Do It...Again!

Photo credit: Nora Doyle

It's August 4th. I don't return to work until August 26th and students return August 31st. I am still solidly in summer mode. Last summer I wrote a post highlighting my goals for the 2014-15 school year. You can read it here. I can happily report that I was able to stick to my plan, so I really don't think I need to reinvent the wheel and cook up a new batch of goals. It worked for me. Overall, I had a decent school year and so my goal for the 2015-16 school year is to emerge unscathed!

I am aware through social media, that many, many SLPs have already returned to school, some with considerable anxiety, some choosing silence, some already feeling battered. I thought perhaps some suggestions from the personal and spiritual perspectives were warranted.

Here are my thoughts, for better or worse. Truthfully, my anxiety often stems from a feeling of not being in control. In this context I sometimes enter into a power struggle. That can quickly morph into defensiveness between all parties. My strategy is, when I start to feel that anxiety rearing it's nasty head, I reframe my thinking to "What is the value of pressing my point," or "Why does that statement threaten me, what is MY thinking?" Shazam! Anxiety in check. This also allows me to practice acceptance of others as I choose not to control them or the outcome.

I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating; don't personalize. I practiced this one in earnest and experienced success toward the end of the year when a parent called me and SCREAMED at me for providing services to her child at his regularly scheduled time during the last week of school. This was a problem because his class was playing board games. I'm choosing not to go into the specifics because there is no value in dredging it up again. Suffice it to say, I was triggered by the assault, but was able to engage in self-talk that reiterated that the parent's behavior was about her. I was able to exit the situation with both my professionalism and grace intact by not personalizing. It works!

Our jobs can be a theatrical event. Sometimes the drama outweighs the educating. I do my level best to steer clear of the histrionics, gossip, and general *%$# stirring. When approached or drawn in I ask myself, "What is the value for ME in this conversation?" If there is no value, I listen with a compassionate ear and make my escape. Sadly, I am not always successful in avoiding the drama, but I am practicing and every day I become more proficient.

I know we are SLPs, but do we always have to talk? In the last year and a half I have been listening more and more. The benefit is, when I actually do have something to say, people listen. They begin to expect some sage suggestion, some speech language pathology chestnut. I don't like to admit it, but in the past my big 'ole ego would get in the way, and these days I know where my significance comes from and it ain't from the people at the table!

As recent as last school year, I found myself ruing Sunday night, getting anxious for the following day and the week to boot! I hear myself saying,"It's almost Friday," "Two more days," "Six more years." It occurred to me just this week that I'm not living for today! I'm not living in the moment! I'm wishing my life away! For what? I gave this some thought and tried to view it from a spiritual bent. I want to work for today doing kingdom work. I want to reframe my thinking so I'm not focused on working for "the man," but for the Lord.

To do so I must see every colleague, every student, every parent as a child of God. I once heard that we should look for Jesus in the eyes of everyone. Doing that on a cognitive level will go a long way in creating an atmosphere of peace where I can behave with compassion. Yeah, not always easy, but this thinking will keep from getting triggered and bearing down on myself.

I'm more optimistic for the new school year to start than I have been in years. Each start is becoming a little easier as I practice my hard won skills. I hope sharing my thoughts will help you approach the start of school with a new energy and a sense of peace and I wish all of you a wonderful 2015-16.