A Voice to Be Heard: Supporting Student Speech & Language

Funded Oct 22, 2023

Thank you so much for your generous donations. Because of your help, my students were able to gain access to colored printed worksheets, numerous picture books, sensory toys, games, and articulation supports (mirror, mouth model). With our new picture books, students were able to work on their receptive and expressive language goals including but not limited to: answering wh-questions (who, what, when, where, and why), identifying story elements to retell a story (identifying characters, setting, problem, solution, character feelings, and lesson learned), making predictions and inferences, learning new vocabulary words (synonyms, antonyms, words with multiple meanings), practicing rhyme, identifying character thoughts and feelings and taking character perspective. Not only were these books extremely helpful in helping students work on their goals, but they were also extremely enjoyable and fun for students to read and/or listen to. In addition to stories, I have also used articulation supports with my students who are unintelligible or those who present with speech sound distortions. The use of a mouth model and mirror give students an opportunity to look at their own mouth and tongue placement to help them practice a particular sound. The mouth model puppet is also helpful in showing students how to produce a sound. Students have also thoroughly enjoyed games during our session to use alongside our activities or to be used after as "choice time" or as a break. The legos have been extremely motivating for kids who can become easily tired and/or distracted when working on challenging tasks. Using Legos as a motivator helps keeps my students engaged for a longer duration of time and has even helped some students who demonstrate work-avoidance behaviors. Last, the sensory foam beads have been incredibly helpful for my students with tactile needs and for those who become easily frustrated during difficult tasks. I've used this with a particular student who sometimes becomes discouraged when he is unable to answer questions correctly. Anytime he becomes upset or frustrated, the foam memory beads help keep him calm, serving as a tool for him to squeeze during these moments. Your donations are greatly appreciated by me and my wonderful students. We are so grateful.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Sabrina