Using open-ended print and digital activities in speech therapy.
Open-ended activities are a valuable addition to speech therapy because they can be tailored to meet various speech and language goals, reduce the time needed for lesson planning as well as make individual and small group sessions more productive. Plus, the fun nature of open-ended activities keeps students engaged and motivated. This is why I enjoy creating and using open-ended activities in speech therapy with my students.
As summer winds down and signs of going back to school are popping up left and right, I thought I would share how I use my Back to School Open-Ended Activity Cards for speech therapy. This activity is available to download for those who subscribe to the Speech Hamster Newsletter.
The printable activity includes 24 playing cards (18 numbered cards and 6 wild cards), 48 collection cards (2 sets of 24 school-related images) and 4 backpack collection mats (2 color, 2 b/w). Directions: Students take turns choosing a numbered playing card and practicing their speech/language (or other) targets. The number on each playing card represents
A. How many trials to practice and
B. How many school items to add to the backpack collection mat.
Wild cards are optional but if used, they can be discarded or placed back into the draw pile once chosen.
The digital activity includes one or two player options plus a Tic Tac Toe Bonus activity.
It can be used as a token reinforcement resource when you want multiple practice trials for any of your articulation, language or other targets.
For Single Player: Choose a number then practice the same number of sounds, words or other targets. Click on the number to reveal how many school items to move to your backpack. Beware! One of the numbered boxes is empty making it difficult to collect all 12 school items in one round. Total rounds: 4
For Multi-Player: Choose a backpack & add your name. Take turns choosing a number then practice the same number of sounds, words or other targets. Click on the number to reveal how many school items to drag and drop onto your backpack. The images are layered to disappear "into" the backpack. Who can collect the most for each round? Total rounds: 4
PREVIEW⤵ THE FIRST 4 CARDS ON THE BOOM LEARNING PLATFORM
Here's why I love using these back-to-school open-ended activity cards:
➜ Versatility: the open-ended structure means I can use it with all my students in any environment. Even when pushing into the classroom. These activities are number-based. When a student draws a card (or selects a digital number icon), the number represents how many school items to collect but it also represents "how many" speech trials to practice. Insert any speech/language target and you've got focused versatility at its finest.
➜ Portable: most SLPs travel throughout their school(s) so it's important to have activities that are portable and fit easily into a therapy bag.
➜ Interaction and engagement: my students love playing games and I have found our interactions during those times to be the best way to build connections. I am a big proponent of play-based learning. However, if I'm in a situation where free play on the floor isn't an option, then I wholeheartedly embrace gamification as much as possible.
➜ Quick drill: this is a great way to get those 50+ trials in or gather data for progress monitoring while still having fun. I mean, come on. We gotta keep it fun, people. As much as possible, that is.
Subscribe to the Speech Hamster Newsletter to download the Back to School Open Ended Print & Digital resources today!
Other ways to use the printable cards:
Use the playing cards to build a square or rectangular game board. Use dice and game tokens to move around the board, practicing speech/language targets until all the school item cards have been collected.
Place collection cards on magnetic tiles and cover each with a "window" tile. Flip over the tile so the images are hidden. Use the playing cards as intended. The number on the card represents "how many" trials to complete before flipping the tile over to view the school item image. Try to collect all the images and use the magnetic tiles to build a school, a maze, a container or whatever is of interest to your student(s).
Math practice (addition and subtraction). Draw two cards on each turn then add or subtract the numbers to determine how many speech/language trials to practice as well as how many school item image cards to collect.
Use the collection cards to play a "memory" or "go fish" game for vocabulary practice.
Use the collection cards as a describing activity. There are two sets of each image. Flip one set face down and one set right side up. Have your students take turns selecting a "face down" card and describing it without giving away the name/label. The other student then searches for the matching image and uses the word in a sentence.
Relational vocabulary practice: use the numbered playing cards to determine how many collection cards to pick up and then name how they are related (or name their functions or categories or compare/contrast or answer simple "wh" questions (what is it, where would you find it, when would you use it, etc.). You get the idea.
Once you become familiarized with the cards, more ideas for versatility will come your way or your student's way. Let them make up a new game!
Subscribe to the Speech Hamster Newsletter to download the Back to School Open Ended Print & Digital resources today!
Open-ended activities bring a dynamic and engaging element to individual and small group speech therapy sessions. They offer variety, adaptability, and opportunities for meaningful communication and social interaction.
So, why not give open-ended activities a try? You may find that they not only lighten your load for lesson planning but also bring a renewed sense of excitement and enthusiasm to your sessions.
Do you already have these cards? Are you looking for similar printable and/or digital activities to add to your therapy bag? I've got you covered!
Grab the Open Ended Print & Digital Activity Cards Bundle to access 12 more themed printable and digital activities.
Are you eager to get your therapy bag in order for the start of a new school year? Are you looking for a refresh to help with your own sense of enthusiasm and engagement? #-I'm-not-bored-You're-bored 😆 Consider adding these printable activities as well:
Articulation Game Strips: Build Your Own Game Board
Following Directions Task Cards Seasonal Bundle
50 - 100 Trials Themed 1-2 Player Articulation Games
Pop It Fidget Activity Sheets
Articulation Task Cards using Parts of Speech and Building Sentences (coming soon!)
As we look forward to the new school year, there's always a sense of adventure in the air. I wish you a smooth start filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. Remember to take time for self-care along the way. Wishing you well!
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