National Day Themes in September - Week 2: Themed Activities and Ideas for Speech Therapy
- shannon | speech hamster
- Sep 7, 2025
- 19 min read
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
September 8 - 14
September brings no shortage of conversation-ready themes, and Week 2 is filled with creative ways to approach speech and language practice. With topics ranging from literacy and kindness to teddy bears, coloring, and even chocolate, there’s something here for every child to enjoy while working toward their goals.
Welcome to National Days in September Week 2! From celebrating stories on International Literacy Day (September 8) and heading into space for Star Trek Day (September 8), to hugging a friend on National Teddy Bear Day (September 9) this week offers a full mix of meaningful practice.
This blog post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you make a purchase through them, with no extra cost to you.
Use the table below to explore some of the national days celebrated the second week in September. To avoid scrolling fatigue, use the quick links to view activity ideas and book suggestions for each theme.
View other weeks in September:
To view themes for all 12 months head over to 10 Reasons to Use National Day Themes for Easy Speech Therapy Planning.
*Free resource links listed here may change over time. Please check the original source for current availability and terms.
September National Days Week 2
Date | National Day Quick Links |
September 8 | |
September 9 | |
September 10 | |
September 11 | |
September 12 | |
September 13 | |
September 14 | |
September 8:
📚 National Literacy Day (September 8)
About: International Literacy Day began in 1966 when UNESCO, a worldwide team of countries that work together to improve learning, science, and culture, wanted to remind everyone how important reading and writing are. Today, it’s a day to celebrate books, stories, and the power of learning through words.
Fun Facts:
The word literacy comes from the Latin word littera, meaning letter.
More than 770 million people worldwide still struggle with reading and writing.
Some libraries lend unusual things besides books… like musical instruments, sewing machines, or even baking pans.
In the U.S., library cards are usually free and can be used to borrow both books and e-books.
Articulation:
Bookmark Bingo: Draw a simple bingo board and add the letters that represent target phonemes in each square. Grab a thick book and place bookmarks in it. Students choose a bookmark and search the page for target words to fill their bingo board. Search these free Bingo Board Templates on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Roll and Read: Roll a die to see how many times to practice a target word found in a book before turning the page.
Read the Room: Have students identify words (or objects) around the room (or in the hallway, etc.) containing their target sounds.
Phonological Awareness
Rhyme Hunt: Hide rhyming cards in books and search for pairs (e.g., cat/hat, pen/ten, ship/flip).
Clap out and sort words into 1-, 2-, or 3-syllable shapes (e.g., book, page, pencil, cover, library, eraser).
Blend sounds to “read” simple words (b–oo–k = book).
Play a Sound Change Game: swap one letter in a word and notice how the word changes (cat → hat, cat → cap, cat → cut).
Vocabulary
Build a Word Wall with library and reading words such as author, illustrator, chapter, library card, catalog (is that still a thing?!).
Talk about different kinds of books (e.g., fiction, nonfiction, poetry).
Discuss new vocabulary from the books you read in therapy that day.
Listening/Following Directions
Play Book Knowledge Simon Says: “Touch the cover, then open to the first page.”, "Turn to page 8 then touch the last word on the page."
Use auditory memory tasks: read a short list (pencil, paper, book) and have students repeat it.
Give silly “reading directions” like “Open the book upside down, then close it gently.”, "Read the first sentence forwards then read the second sentence backwards", "Find the third sentence then read every other word".
Narratives/Describing
Book Cover Detective: students describe a book cover and predict the story.
Story Retell Relay: each student adds one detail as you retell a short story together.
Create simple “story frames” (first… then… finally) to support narrative skills.
Encourage describing a favorite book character with at least 3 details.
Open-Ended & Game Ideas
Roll story dice with pictures to create a new story.
Spin a Tale: use a spinner for “who, where, what, how” questions to make a silly narrative. Examples of question types/prompts include:
Who is/are the main character(s)?
Who will help them?
Where does the story take place?
Where is the problem discovered?
What goes wrong?
What do they need to do first, next, last?
How do they solve the problem?
How do they feel?
Add these free WH Questions "Fast Spins" Story Spinners to your toolbox.
Crafts/Printables
Make a DIY Bookmark decorated with stickers and drawings, earned through practice.
Create a Mini-Book Maker: fold paper into a small book to illustrate a short story.
Popular Children's Books:
How Rocket Learned to Read – Written and illustrated by Tad Hills: Rocket the dog discovers letters and words when a little bird teaches him to read. Step by step, Rocket develops a love for stories and books. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
We Are in a Book! – Written and illustrated by Mo Willems: Elephant and Piggie realize they are characters in a book ... and then start talking to the reader. With simple text, repetition, and lots of humor, this story is perfect for perspective-taking and expressive language. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud
Thank You, Mr. Falker – Written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco: A girl who struggles with reading is encouraged by a caring teacher who helps her succeed. It’s a powerful story about perseverance and the importance of support. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
🚀 Star Trek Day (September 8)
About: Star Trek Day celebrates the first episode of the original Star Trek TV series, which aired on September 8, 1966. It honors the show’s creative storytelling and hopeful vision of the future.
Fun Facts:
The phrase “Beam me up, Scotty” was never actually said in the original series.
The Vulcan salute was invented by actor Leonard Nimoy and inspired by a Jewish gesture.
NASA has named real spacecraft after Star Trek references.
Star Trek inspired many real inventions, including cell phones and tablets.
Printable Resources: Search through these free Star Trek themed resources created by How to Be a Teacher on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Logical vs. Illogical: define these concept words then sort different "actions" into these two categories. Example:
National Star Trek Day - Logical vs. Illogical activity idea (downloadable image) Star Trek Monologue Fill in the Blank: find this free resource on TpT.
Hand Signals: Just as Spock displayed his trademark "Live Long and Prosper" hand sign, have students create their own hand sign and tag line.
Coloring Pages: If you go to StarTrek.com, you can save and print a few coloring pages provided by Smart Pop Books (see below).
Popular Children's Books:
Star Trek: My First Book of Colors – Written by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Jason Kayser: Young Trekkies have the opportunity to explore strange new worlds and view the universe from the perspective of a Starfleet cadet. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
Star Trek: My First Book of Space – Written by Erin Macdonald, illustrated by Jason Kayser: The youngest Trekkie can now discover strange new worlds and view the universe using a Starfleet Academy telescope. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
Search for Spock: A Star Trek Book of Exploration: A Highly illogical Search and Find Parody – Written by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Craig Boldman: text 📖 [Amazon Link]
September 9:
🧸 National Teddy Bear Day (September 9)
About: National Teddy Bear Day celebrates the history of the cuddly toy named after President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. It’s a day to appreciate the comfort and joy teddy bears bring to children and collectors alike.
Fun Facts:
The first teddy bear was created in 1902 after a cartoon showed Roosevelt refusing to shoot a bear cub.
Teddy bears were first made in both the United States and Germany at the same time.
The world’s largest teddy bear stands over 60 feet tall.
Many children bring teddy bears with them to help feel safe and calm.
Articulation:
Teddy Bear Counters: How many bears can your students collect while practicing their target words?
Teddy Bear Game Board: Use Sandy's Learning Reef's free R-Controlled Vowels Teddy Bear's picnic board game on TpT for practicing those vocalic "r"s.
Hide number cards and one heart card under small teddy bear stuffies or picture cards. Students search to find the heart and practice the same number of words as each number card they find.
Phonological Awareness:
Clap out syllables in teddy bear–related words like honey, picnic, or cuddly.
Sort rhyming word cards such as bear/chair, honey/funny, fur/purr.
Blend sounds to guess teddy bear words (b-ea-r, c-u-b).
Play “Change the Sound”: swap beginning sounds (bear → pear, bear → wear).
Vocabulary:
Name descriptive words for teddy bears such as soft, cuddly, stuffed, furry.
Compare different types of bears: polar bear, panda bear, teddy bear.
Introduce story vocabulary like picnic, forest, or den connected to teddy bear tales.
Listening/Following Directions:
Take turns giving directions to move a teddy bear: “Put the bear on the chair, then under the table.”
Create a teddy bear picnic where students follow multi-step directions to set it up
Use auditory memory by giving students a list of 2–3 items to remember and find for their teddy bear.
Narratives/Describing:
Ask students to describe their own teddy bear with 3–4 details.
Make up a story about a teddy bear who goes on an adventure.
Use a teddy bear picture as a prompt for describing what might happen next.
Open Ended Game Ideas:
100 Teddy Bear Trials: Download this free open-ended 100 trials printable PDF card game and 100 trial worksheet:
Play Pass the Bear: each student says a target word before passing the teddy bear around the circle.
Roll a die to see how many times to say a target word before moving the teddy bear on a game board.
Craft: Check out Speech Language Lady's free Build a ear for articulation and language craft on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Popular Children's Books:
The Teddy Bear's Picnic – Written by Jimmy Kennedy and illustrated by Alexandra Day: A musical rhyme that takes readers on a playful journey as teddy bears enjoy an adventurous day in the woods with music, games, and a grand feast. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
We're Going on a Bear Hunt – Written by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury: A rhythmic and repetitive story about a family’s adventurous journey through various obstacles. Great for sequencing, vocabulary, and sound effects.📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
Bear Snores On – Written by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman: A bear sleeps through a winter gathering of animals in his cave until he finally wakes up to join the fun. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resource on TpT]
September 10:
💡 National Swap Ideas Day (September 10)
About: National Swap Ideas Day encourages people to share thoughts and trade creative solutions with one another. It’s a day to celebrate teamwork, imagination, and collaboration.
Fun Facts:
Brainstorming with others often leads to more ideas than working alone.
Some of the greatest inventions, like airplanes, were created by two or more people working together.
Sharing ideas helps people solve problems in new ways.
Classrooms often use “think-pair-share” activities to encourage idea swapping.
Articulation:
Play a Word Swap Game with any game board: students earn tokens each time they say a word correctly and then swap tokens for a turn in a board game (e.g., 2 tokens = one roll of dice, .3 tokens = draw a card from a mystery pile ... which could be words, silly actions or quick challenges..., 4 tokens = move one player back 2 spaces, 5 tokens = roll dice twice in one move).
Create silly word pairs by swapping beginning sounds, then practice the new words.
Phonological Awareness:
Play a Rhyme Swap: give students a word and have them swap it with another word that rhymes.
Practice blending sounds to create words and then swap one sound to make a new word.
Use a “sound swap” activity: change the first sound in bat to make cat.
Vocabulary:
Brainstorm synonyms together and “swap” words like big/large, fast/quick.
Introduce "swap" style vocabulary such as suggest, trade, and exchange.
Listening / Following Directions:
Play Swap Seats: give a direction like “If you like pizza, swap seats with someone else.”
Give multi-step directions that involve swapping items.
Read short directions aloud and ask students to “swap” one word for another.
Narratives / Describing:
Tell a simple story, then ask students to “swap” one part of it to make a new version.
Use picture cards to describe characters, then swap cards with a partner and add to the story.
Practice retelling a familiar story but change one swapped detail, like the setting or character.
Just For Fun: Download this free Would You Rather Swap This or That page to see what your students would choose.
Popular Children's Books:
What Do You Do With an Idea? – Written by Kobi Yamada: A beautifully illustrated story about nurturing big ideas and seeing them through. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
Ish – Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds – A young boy learns that art doesn’t have to be perfect and that creativity is all about expression. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
The Most Magnificent Thing – Written by Ashley Spires: A story about persistence and creative thinking through invention. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
September 11:
🇺🇸 Patriot Day (September 11)
About: Patriot Day is observed each year on September 11 to honor and remember the people who were affected by the events of September 11, 2001. For children, it can be a day to think about showing kindness, helping others, and being part of a caring community.
Facts:
In the United States, flags are flown at half-staff on Patriot Day to show respect.
Many people pause for a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit the Twin Towers.
The day is also called the National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging acts of kindness.
Activity Ideas:
Make paper flags or patriotic stars with crayons and markers
Create kindness cards to take home or give to a teacher
Color a community helper page after practicing speech targets
Assemble a simple badge craft to wear as a “thank-you” for helpers
Create a gratitude chain, adding one link for every idea of how to help others
Brainstorm together how students can show respect and kindness at school
TpT Resources: The 911 Day of Service store on Teachers Pay Teachers offers free resources for all grade levels.
Popular Children's Books:
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey – Written and illustrated by Maira Kalman: This true story tells how an old fireboat came out of retirement to help fight fires in New York City on September 11, 2001. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resource on TpT]
September 12: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right – Written and illustrated by First-Grade Students of H. Byron Masterson Elementary: Children share how life continued after the attacks, focusing on hope, routines, and reassurance. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resource on TpT]
September 12:
🌟 National Day of Encouragement (September 12)
About: National Day of Encouragement began in Arkansas in 2007 to remind people how powerful kind and positive words can be. It’s a day to lift others up and offer support.
Fun Facts:
The day was later recognized across the United States to spread the message of encouragement.
The word encourage comes from the French word corage, meaning “to give heart”
Encouragement can mean giving someone a compliment, helping them try something new, or cheering them on.
A single kind word can change someone’s whole day.
Activity Ideas:
Ask students to describe a time when someone encouraged them
Tell a short story about a character who feels nervous, then describe how encouragement helps
Practice sequencing by ordering a “problem → encouragement → solution” story
Introduce encouraging words such as kind, brave, helpful, strong
Make a word wall of positive adjectives students can use with peers
Kindness Jar: Create a Kindness Jar filled with 20 simple acts of kindness ideas for students to draw and discuss ways they would complete the act of kindness.
Popular Children's Books:
Giraffes Can’t Dance – Written by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees: Gerald the giraffe learns to dance in his own way, with encouragement from a tiny friend who helps him find his rhythm. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
The Day You Begin – Written by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López: A gentle story about feeling different and finding courage when others encourage you to share your story. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
The Kindness Book Written by Todd Parr: Showcases various ways to be kind, including giving compliments. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? Written by Carol McCloud and illustrated by David Messing: A book that teaches the value of kindness through the metaphor of filling someone's invisible bucket with care and positivity. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
September 13:
🍫 International Chocolate Day (September 13)
About: International Chocolate Day is celebrated on September 13, the birthday of Milton Hershey, founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company. It’s a day to enjoy and learn about the sweet treat loved around the world.
Fun Facts:
Chocolate comes from cacao beans, which grow on trees in warm climates.
Ancient Mayan and Aztec people used cacao to make a bitter drink.
The first chocolate bar was created in the 1800s.
More than 3 million tons of cacao are produced each year.
Activity Ideas:
Teach chocolate-related words such as cocoa, bitter, sweet, bar, wrapper
Discuss how chocolate changes form: bean → powder → bar
Sort words into “things you can eat” and “things you cannot eat” categories
Create a list of foods that contain chocolate
Describe the steps of making hot chocolate from start to finish
Semi-Edible Cookie Craft: Students decorate a paper cookie with a real chocolate chip after practicing a target word or completing a language task. Repeat until the cookie is full of chocolate chips. Once completed, students can eat the chocolate chips!
Popular Children's Books:
Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory Written by Margret & H. A. Rey: Curious George explores a chocolate factory, leading to a series of adventures. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
The Chocolate Touch – Written by Patrick Skene Catling, illustrated by Margo Apple: A boy named John discovers that everything he touches turns into chocolate, leading to unexpected challenges in this chapter book. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
The Chocolate Chip Cookie Queen – Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by LeUyen Pham: A girl enters a cookie competition and learns that kindness might be the best prize of all.📖 [Amazon Link]
🥜 National Peanut Day (September 13)
About: National Peanut Day celebrates the popular legume that grows underground and is used in snacks, peanut butter, and recipes around the world.
Fun Facts:
George Washington Carver discovered hundreds of uses for peanuts, from food to paint.
Peanuts are not true nuts… they are part of the legume family.
More than 6 pounds of peanuts are used in each jar of peanut butter.
The world’s largest peanut statue is in Ashburn, Georgia.
Activity Ideas:
Play Pass the Peanut: students say a target word before passing a toy peanut or ball around the group
Teach peanut-related words like allergy, legume, harvest, protein
Sort food cards into “contains peanuts” and “peanut-free”
Introduce descriptive words such as crunchy, smooth, salty, roasted
Popular Children's Books:
Peanut Butter and Cupcake – Written and illustrated by Terry Border: Peanut Butter is looking for a friend to play with, but everyone he asks is busy. At last, he finds Jelly, and the perfect friendship begins. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
The Peanut Pickle – Written by Jessica Jacobs, illustrated by Debbie Tilley: A boy learns how to handle life with a peanut allergy and finds ways to feel safe while enjoying everyday activities. 📖 [Amazon Link]
The Princess and the Peanut Allergy – Written by Wendy McClure, illustrated by Calef Brown: A birthday party brings challenges when one friend’s peanut allergy collides with another’s peanut butter cake, teaching lessons about friendship and compromise. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
🙂 Positive Thinking Day (September 13)
About: Positive Thinking Day reminds us that focusing on good thoughts can help us feel better, try new things, and spread kindness to others. It’s a day to practice looking on the bright side.
Fun Facts:
Smiling can actually make your brain feel happier.
People who think positively often find it easier to handle challenges.
Encouraging words like “I can do it” can build confidence.
Positive thinking can even help students learn and remember better.
Activity Ideas:
Clap out syllables in words like pos-i-tive, hap-py, con-fi-dent
Teach positive words like kind, brave, helpful, strong
Sort cards into “positive words” and “negative words” piles
Ask students to describe a time they tried something hard and kept going
Make a sunshine craft where each ray shows a positive word
Popular Children's Books:
The Magical Yet – Written by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez: This story reminds children that even if they can’t do something today, the “Magical Yet” is there to help them keep practicing and growing until they can. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud] 🛒 [Free Resources on TpT]
The Power of Yet – Written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler, illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler: A girl learns that even when things are hard, adding the word “yet” can change the way she thinks about trying. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
Think Positive for Kids – Written by Zig Ziglar, illustrated by Richard Watson: Short stories and examples show kids how positive words and thoughts can improve their daily lives. 📖 [Amazon Link]
September 14:
🎨 National Coloring Day (September 14)
About: National Coloring Day celebrates the creativity and relaxation of coloring. Children and adults can use crayons, markers, or pencils to make colorful designs.
Fun Facts:
The first coloring books were created in the 1800s.
Coloring helps improve fine motor skills and hand strength.
Many adults use coloring books as a way to relax.
There are even online coloring apps for kids and families to enjoy together.
Activity Ideas: Coming soon
Articulation
Use coloring pages with target words printed on them; students say the word before coloring a section
Play Color and Say: roll a die to decide how many times to practice before choosing a crayon
Hide articulation cards under crayons; students must practice before picking a color
Make a rainbow word list: each color represents a different target sound to practice
Color By Number: Check out my free Spring Sampler Color By Number Articulation Pages for L & L Blends on TpT. Or see the full resource here:
Engage your students year round with these FALL, WINTER, SPRING & SUMMER Color By Number Printable Articulation Pages for all speech sounds. Directed Drawings: For students that like to draw but prefer direct instructions, try out my Articulation Art resources ($) below or sign up for the Speech Hamster Newsletter to download the free sampler for 2 Element Clusters.
Click image to view bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers
Vocabulary:
Teach descriptive words such as bright, dark, light, shade, pastel
Practice naming and labeling common coloring items (crayon, marker, paper, design)
Compare and contrast two coloring pages by describing their similarities and differences
Sort crayons into categories like warm colors, cool colors, or favorite colors
Listening / Following Directions:
Give multi-step directions like “Color the star red, then circle the square in green”
Play Mystery Coloring: describe an item without naming it, and students color it in
Use auditory memory: list three colors and shapes, then have students follow the sequence
Create a group coloring poster where each student adds to it by following spoken directions
Open Ended & Game Ideas:
Play Roll a Color: roll a die to pick which crayon to use for the next part of the page
Set up a “Color Shop” where students request colors using full sentences
Do a partner coloring swap: students switch pages after a few minutes and continue coloring
Use coloring pages as a reward activity after speech practice rounds
Popular Children's Books:
The Day the Crayons Quit – Written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers: Duncan discovers letters from his crayons, each expressing frustrations about being overused or neglected. Using humor and creativity, he finds a way to satisfy all the crayons. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
Harold and the Purple Crayon – Written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson: Harold creates his own world using just a purple crayon, showing the power of imagination. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
I’m NOT Just a Scribble - Written by Diane Alber: little scribble feels left out because the other drawings don’t accept him, but soon, he shows them that scribbles can be fun, creative, and unique. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
✂️ National Live Creative Day (September 14)
About: National Live Creative Day is all about trying new ways to use your imagination. It encourages people to explore art, music, writing, and creative play.
Fun Facts:
Being creative helps your brain grow and solve problems.
Creativity isn’t just about art… it can also be used in science, sports, and storytelling.
Kids are naturally creative and often come up with ideas adults wouldn’t think of.
Some workplaces encourage “creative breaks” to help with new ideas.
Articulation:
Invent a silly creature with a target-sound name (e.g., a /s/ “Socktopus” or /sh/ “Sharky Shoes”) and practice saying it in sentences
Play Sound Sculptors: students use Play-Doh or blocks to “sculpt” something while practicing words
Play Mystery Bag Words: pull objects or pictures from a bag and create a funny invention sentence with the target sound
Phonological Awareness:
Swap sounds to invent nonsense words and then describe what those silly words could be (e.g., “glap” is a new candy)
Play Phoneme Inventors: blend sounds to make brand-new pretend words
Rhyming Inventions: think of two rhyming words and imagine a new item that uses them (hat/bat → “hat-bat” = a bat that wears hats)
Vocabulary:
Brainstorm invention or creative words like invent, brainstorm, design, build
Create compound word inventions (tooth + brush = toothbrush, but what about shoe + phone?) and draw them
Sort vocabulary cards into “real” and “imagined” inventions and discuss why
Listening / Following Directions:
Play Build It by Directions: use blocks, tangrams, or paper strips to create a structure by following multi-step directions
Give silly directions like “Draw a triangle, then turn it into a pizza hat”
Do a collaborative “yes, and” listening game: one person starts an idea, the next adds on after listening carefully. Example:
Student 1: “I saw a dragon on my way to school.”
Student 2: “Yes, and it was eating a giant sandwich.”
Student 3: “Yes, and the sandwich had jellybeans inside.”
Popular Children's Books:
Beautiful Oops Written by Barney Saltzberg: A beautifully drawn, interactive book that shows how mistakes can turn into something creative and wonderful. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
Not a Box Written by Antoinette Portis: A rabbit turns an ordinary box into endless creative possibilities, inspiring kids to use their imagination in crafting and play. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
The Dot - Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds: Vashti believes she can’t draw until her teacher encourages her to just make a mark—a simple dot—which leads to a journey of self-expression and creativity. 📖 [Amazon Link] 🎥 [YouTube Read Aloud]
Look Ahead to September Week 3: Play Dough, Pirates, and More
September Week 2 highlights reading, kindness, and creativity through themes kids naturally love. From books and bears to chocolate and colorful crafts, these days provide low-prep, high-interest opportunities to support speech and language goals. Stay tuned for Week 3, where play dough, pirates, and playful adventures continue the fun.
See More National Day Themes for September:
Quick Link to View All 12 Months: 10 Reasons to Use National Day Themes for Easy Speech Therapy Planning (each month's themes are noted at the end).
Hi! I'm Shannon, creator of Speech Hamster. If you have found the information in this blog post useful, there's more where that came from! Subscribe to the Speech Hamster Newsletter to gain access to the Free Resource Library; a hub containing a host of National Days downloadable resources and so much more!
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