Why "Speech Lady"

I got an email from a co-worker the other day asking me what I prefer to be called in paperwork- speech therapist, speech pathologist.  It got me thinking of all the wonderful names that the kids and others call me in this job position. 
I have 3 year olds yelling "Gretz!" down the hallway.  It reminds me of college...no one went by their first names in college. 
There's always "That one girl".  I was at a school last year one day out of the week and apparently this teacher had no clue who I was or why I was there.
Out of all these, I get the biggest kick out of hearing what my speech kiddos tell their friends in the hall as I pass them-  "Yup that's the speech lady.  She teaches me how to talk."
So that is how I got Speech Lady.  Whatever you do just don't get my attention by saying "Hey little girl!"

Yes, I've also had a teacher think I was a student... 

A tour of the Speech Lady's room

I realize not all of you get a chance to come to Back To School Night and Meet the Teacher, so here is a tour of the speech room.  Now you can picture your child in the room working hard on articulation, language, fluency, voice, and social skills!

Welcome!

Sticker Charts

12 stickers = Treasure chest, picking a game, or sensory break activities.

Mirror Wall

"Mirror Mirror On The Wall Who Has The Best Sound Of Them All?" -I came up with that all by myself (pretty pleased if you couldn't tell)

Calendar and Reading Corner

I find it's helpful to move kids from station to station so they don't start getting antsy.  It helps Ms. Gretz not get frustrated with wiggle worms!

Therapy Table

This is where the magic happens! As in the kids (hopefully) listen as I give them strategies to reach their speech goals.  Lots of hard work happens at this table.  We try and have a little fun too. 

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

I think it's really important to remind my students (especially after summer break) what sounds they are working on in speech.  Every time a child comes to my room and they are working on articulation, the first thing I ask them is "What sounds are you working on?", and/or "What sound do you want to focus on today?".  This helps the kids take responsibility (hopefully) for the speech sound they have in error and the goals we are all working on helping them to achieve.
The first book of the year that I like to read is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. 

The kids love this book and it makes them giggle...which in turn makes me giggle.  I like to use this book because it goes through the alphabet and the sooner my little kiddos can start identifying the letter that goes with their sound in error, the better it is! I like to have them raise their hand when they hear the letter that corresponds to the sound they are working on.  The first day of reading it they raise their hand for every sound, but with some reminders by the 2nd or 3rd reading they have it down. 

Let's just say Chicka Chicka Boom Boom has taken over this Speech Lady's room. 

The kids picked out their sounds and placed them on the appropriate leaf.

Each leaf has a stage of obtaining an articulation goals.  Can they get the sound in isolation, in words, in phrases, in sentences and/or in conversation.

My younger kids made these take-home craft projects to help themselves and parents remember what their goals are this year. 

"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom _______ is working on these sounds in the speech room."

Even my kids working on language got in on the fun of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

They listened and gave each other directions on where to put each letter.  "Put the "O" next to the "G"." Lots of work on spatial concepts and putting complete sentences together so a peer can follow the directions they give.  One child told me my coconut tree looked funny.  I never claimed I was the best artist. :)

Parent tips:

Talk with your child about what sounds they are working on. When you're out and about find words that start with their sound.  

Feel free to shoot me an email telling me if your child said all their sounds right during an activity or practice.  I make a big deal about it and their speech friends give them a little pat on the back. 





 

Welcome

I'm going to attempt to create a blog that the parent's of students I serve in the schools can use as a resource. I will be adding helpful links, homework and fun ideas that you can use with your children to increase language skills, intelligibility, fluency, social skills etc.
Please let me know if there is a topic you would like addressed and I can do my best to add a link, post or supply any information I might have.
Enjoy!