Words with Multiple Syllables

If your child needs to practice words with more than 3 syllables you can print these pages to practice at home.  After your child can say the words clearly, he/she can practice saying them in a short phrase like, "I see the ____;" and then in longer sentences.

Click HERE for the practice pages for multi-syllable words.

Pirates!

This month our theme is Pirates and Other Characters.  Here are two games to print or play on the computer with our Pirate theme.  Start with a pile of pennies, or other small items (cheerios, fish crackers...) to represent "coins".  As players complete the directions on the cards, they collect coins (in the vocabulary game they get one coin for each direction they follow).  If a player gets a card that says "Boom!", they have to put all of their coins back.

Pirate Articulation
Pirate Vocabulary

September Home Practice

I'm going to try something a little different with home practice this year.  I am sending home a "Home Practice Log" for parents to initial, indicating that they practiced with their child 5 times during the week.  Home practice sessions should not take a lot of time...5-10 minutes per day, and all the work should be done out loud (nothing needs to be written--except for a drawing sometimes).  All the children should have received a speech folder to keep in their backpacks.  This folder has the Home Practice Log and will have a copy of the homework page for the month.  The language homework pages (grades 1 and 2) have a list of activities--parents will choose 2 to practice each week.  Please contact me if you have any questions!!

Click here for Phonological Awareness home practice activities for September
Click here for grade 1 Language home practice activities for September
Click here for grade 2 Language home practice activities for September
Click here for Articulation home practice activities
Click here for the September board game for articulation practice

Froggy Fun!

Graphic by Scrappin Doodles

Here is a PowerPoint game to help keep your child interested in practicing his articulation skills.  If you need a word list check the Articulation page of the blog.  Enjoy the last few days of summer vacation!

Froggy Fun game

Bugs that Boogie!

Here's a language activity for this week.  Watch this video for the book "Bugtown Boogie" and then encourage your child to discuss his answers to these questions (taken from the website.)

1. What does it mean to “boogie?”
2. What are some of the bugs you recognize enjoying the Bugtown Boogie? What sounds do some of those bugs make?
3. Do you think any of the bugs noticed the boy watching the festivities? 
4. What happens to make the music halt and each and every bug go silent?
5. How does the Queen Bee react?
6. How do the bugs know when it is time for the party to end?

For articulation practice, after listening to Bugtown Boogie, print out this "Connect the Dots" page.  Have your child use his word list to practice his sound, and after he says 10 good productions he can connect two dots.  Encourage him to continue practicing his words and connecting dots until his picture is finished.

Imagination!

Have you seen this video?  It's about a 9 year old boy in Los Angeles, who created his own arcade out of used cardboard boxes.  It is amazing!

Here's the challenge...

Our first theme when we get back to school in September is "At the Fair."  Now, if you've ever been to a fair, you know that there are lots of games like the ones Caine created.  Your summer homework is to create a game (it doesn't have to be as big as Caine's games) and be able to explain how you made it, and how to play it.  If it's small enough, you can even bring it to school and we can use it in our speech group!

I can't wait to see what you create!

Speech by the Seashore

Articulation practice at the beach?  Why not?  Pack a word list in your beach bag and try these games...

Wave Jumper--Have your child say her word every time she jumps over a wave.

Tic-Tac-Toe--Draw a grid in the sand.  Use shells and rocks instead of x's and o's  Make sure your child says her word several times before she takes a turn.

Target Practice--Draw three circles (one inside the next) to resemble a target.  Take turns tossing small pebbles or shells trying to hit the bulls-eye.  Remember to say articulation words before taking a turn.

Erase a Word--Write a word from your list in the sand just inside where the waves reach the shore line.  Challenge your child to say the word 5 times before it is erased by the waves.

Scavenger Hunt--Go for a walk and try to find items with your sound.
L sound:  castle, pail, shovel, sunglasses, lotion, towel, sandals...
S sound:  sand, sun, sailboat, seaweed, starfish, shells, rocks...
R sound:  rock, reed, red towel, cart, car, frisbee, crab...
K sound:  crab, castle, candy, back pack, cooler, can, blanket...
F sound:  fish, flag, whiffle ball, coffee, taffy, feet..

What other words can you think of?

Did you say Pirates?

If you are looking for a fun way to practice following directions and understanding concept words, you might want to try my Gold Giveaway PIRATE game.  It's best if played with more than 3 players (although it will work with 2).  I have included a printable version and a PowerPoint version.  The links are below...

Gold Giveaway (PowerPoint)
Gold Giveaway (printable version)

I've also added another version of The Krabby Patty game on the My Games page.  You can use it as a motivator and to keep your child's interest in articulation practice (I hope!).

Have a wonderful weekend!

SpongeBob goes to Speech

We sure plunged into summer this week!  I hope you were able to find a cool spot to beat the heat.

My two sons were watching SpongeBob the other day, and I thought of a game that you might like.  You can print it and play it at home to practice several different skills such as articulation, vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms), and grammar (plural and verb tenses).   I will also be trying to think of a way to adapt it for the computer.  Hope you like it!

The Krabby Patty Game