Planning for Mixed Groups

Scheduling in 2020 has been very challenging (understatement of the year) BUT- I’m not going to let planning for mixed therapy groups be an extra level of stress. Why? Because LITERACY has always been the foundation that I build most of my sessions upon. I may tweak things around here and there... but using a picture book or non-fiction article helps me focus my language and articulation goals around relevant themes and topics.
.
Why use a text? I can easily target a wide variety of language goals. PLUS since a text is made up of WORDS I can target almost any speech sound as well! Here’s how I tie in articulation goals into the text.
.
I like to start by asking... Is the individual learning to produce the sound in words, phrases, sentences, or conversation? Based on that information, I can choose my question/stimulus that’s relevant to the text. Here are my tips 👇
.
🔆Working in words? Try phonological awareness activities. Have them swap their target sound for the end or beginning sound of a word from the book.
.
🔅Phrase level? Have them answer “wh” or inferencing questions using their correct speech sound!
.
🔆Sentences? Ask them to describe or define a vocabulary word from the text using their sound.
.
🔅Structured conversation? Read the book and stop periodically so they can summarize information. At the end, ask them to retell the text making sure they hit their sound targets.
.
SIDENOTE- this obviously is not a one size fits all decision and some treatment approaches wouldn’t necessary fit in seamlessly. However- phonological awareness and story grammar are good “bang for your buck” activities and are so beneficial!