2 freebies is better than 1!

This month's Speechie Freebies from my blog are here! I have had some challenging students with "ch" and "dj" goals, so I made these a while ago and really haven't premiered them in a while on here so I thought this was a good time of year to do just that. It is a short and simple activity so its meant as a quick activity and not a full blown articulation activity. I have given these to students for homework and it worked out really well.

Today you get a 2-fer! Two freebies=1 post! I used the same clipart in both and I have used these items for challenging articulation words for students who are increasing in their capabilities.

Grab the CH freebie HERE

Grab the J Freebie HERE

Thank Goodness for.....The SLP Christmas Song

I joined the linky with Teach Speech 365! 

The SLP Christmas Song

by Amy Minor

Major Speech Pathology Fun by a Minor GIrl

On the first day of Christmas my students gave to me
A smile when they came in the room.

On the second day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Two Idioms
and a Smile When They Came in the Room!!!!!!!

On the third day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Three Irregular Verbs

Two Idioms

and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

On the fourth day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Four Synonyms

Three Irregular Verbs

Two Idioms

and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

On the fifth day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Five Minutes of PEACE

Four Synonyms

Three Irregular Verbs

Two Idioms

and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

On the sixth day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Six Perfect R's

Five minutes of PEACE

Four Synonyms

Three Irregular Verbs

Two Idioms

and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

On the seventh day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Seven Fluent Phrases

Six Perfect R's

Five minutes of PEACE

Four Synonyms

Three Irregular Verbs

Two Idioms

and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

On the eighth day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Eight Listening Ears

Seven Fluent Phrases

Six Perfect R's

Five minutes of PEACE

Four Synonyms

Three Irregular Verbs

Two Idioms

and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

On the ninth day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Nine Associations

Eight Listening Ears

Seven Fluent Phrases

Six Perfect R's

Five minutes of PEACE

Four Synonyms

Three Irregular Verbs

Two Idioms

and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

On the tenth day of Christmas my students gave to me:

Ten Multiple Meanings

Nine Associations

Eight Listening Ears

Seven Fluent Phrases

Six Perfect R's

Five minutes of PEACE

Four Synonyms

Three Irregular Verbs

Two Idioms

and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

On the eleventh day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Eleven verbalizations

Ten Multiple Meanings

Nine Associations

Eight Listening Ears

Seven Fluent Phrases

Six Perfect R's

Five minutes of PEACE

Four Synonyms

Three Irregular Verbs

Two Idioms

and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

On the twelfth day of Christmas my students gave to me:
Twelve Reasons I Love My Job
Eleven Verbalizations
Ten Multiple Meanings
Nine Associations
Eight Listening Ears
Seven Fluent Phrases
Six Perfect R's
Five minutes of PEACE
Four Synonyms
Three Irregular Verbs
Two Idioms
and a Smile When They Walk in the Room!!!!!!

Happy Holidays from.......

My TPT wish list, items I recommend that I have already purchased and items from my store that might interest you!

Thanks Jenna at Speech Room News for doing this linky for all of us to see what everyone recommends and what is in THEIR carts for the sale! 

(Picture used with Permission from my friend over at Sublime Speech!)

There is a big sale going on December 2nd and 3rd on TPT! These are some of the items on my wish list! I have a short list this year to premier as I am heading on maternity leave in February and funds are now going mostly to baby instead of school items =) (which is to be expected right!?!) Anyways here are a few awesome products that you should consider! These are my top 6 (I had only 5, then I couldn't help but add another!!) I have other items in my cart too, but I really wanted to feature these!

1. Here are new items from my store that you might want to check out!

Check out my TPT store for 28% off all of my items including bundles! That makes for way more than 28% off those bundles! Here are some preview pictures of some of the newer items in my store!

Check out all the descriptions HERE in the store or you can CLICK each image to go to a specific product and add it to your cart!

I have interactive items (no print), bundles and many new items included in this sale!

       

Synonym Match Up is a higher level vocabulary activity for secondary students. 

Is vs. Are is an interactive item that targets subject-verb agreement.

     

Carryover Currency is an item I made to target carryover for articulation goals with my secondary students! It was a huge hit! I have an Ipad professional development presentation and a Presentation for personal use. Please read the description to make sure you purchase the item you intend to!

    

These next two are interactive! One is a no print interactive articulation item and the other is a sentence structure lesson and worksheet bundle or just the lesson!

    

Last, but not least, I have the interactive language packet with tons and tons of slides of language activities and the sentence structure word order activity for secondary students or older elementary students! 

Check out these awesome freebies I have available in my store too. Click my store icon below and it will take you to the store so you can grab them all!

Check out all my other items in my store by pressing the Major Speech Minor Girl Icon and add them to your cart while they are HOT and ON SALE! 

2. Here are some items in my cart this year!

I always try to incorporate culture and cultural diversity in my speech room and this will be a perfect item to go along with other holiday themed items this year!

Check it out at CC's TPT store HERE

Next up is an item from Speechy Musings! If you all haven't purchased this item- YOU SHOULD! Enough said.

Check it out in Speechy Musings Store HERE.

Next up is an item from Crazy Speech World. I have a few students working on Irregular Past Tense Verbs and my older students love technology, so this was an easy pick for this years sale. 

Grab it HERE.

Next up is an item from Jenna over at Speech Room News! I love her new items with real pictures. I have quite a few students with social goals this year, so I can't wait to get this item and start using it. Grab it HERE.

This item is from Lauren over at Busy Bee Speech and it has it all! Just go check out all of the goals that can be targeted using this item and you will be sure to add it to your cart too! Grab it HERE! 

This item is made by Nicole Allison over at Allison's Speech Peeps! It's awesome and I want it BAD! Check it out HERE!

3. Up next are items I own and recommend for your carts!

Nicole also has a K-5 version! It's amazing and a must have!

Can you tell Nicole's items are on my mind? That's because they are AWESOME! Check this carryover item out HERE! 

This next item is from Mia McDaniel! It's an awesome companion for an awesome book! Check it out HERE! 

This next book companion is from my friend Felice over at the Dabbling Speechie! Check it out HERE! 

Happy Cyber Monday and Tuesday Shopping!!!!

Thank Goodness for......Edublog 2013 Nominations!

This is my first year doing nominations! 

Best individual blog: Playing With Words 365. Katie always has some of the best informational blog posts that I have ever read! 

Best group blog: Speechie Freebies This blog is full of freebies by practicing SLPs and you can't beat that kind of background for posts!

Best student blog: Speechy Musings. Shannon has some awesome new resources with a student clinician background and I wish I was that ahead of the game in grad school!

Most influential blog post: If only I had Super Powers post! This post hit me so much. You can feel CC's love for her students in this post. We SLP's really do have a connection to our students and this blog post tells that story (very well). 

Best ed tech/resource sharing blog: PrAACtical AAC There is so much information on this blog

Best twitter hashtag #SLPeeps, the professional group of Speech-Language Pathologists shares such great information for professional issues.

Good Luck Bloggy Friends!

Thirty things I am thankful for!

The thirty things I am thankful for:

1. God, who provides for me at all times. Whatever religion you may follow, you are welcome here.

2. My husband. Who has been a great friend and companion for 10 years! He is a very hard worker as a oil rig technician and he is also a volunteer fire fighter in his spare time. He is one of the many heroes in my life.

3. My family. They have encouraged me to be the best I can be from a young age! My parents are two people that are my best friends and support me in every way.

4. My job(s). I am thankful I get to wake everyday and love what I do whether I am working in the schools, acute care or inpatient rehab! My job has been so much a part of my identity the last few years that when I had to start making decisions about leaving different places in order to prepare for the birth of my son, it was like I was loosing a piece of me.

5. My iPhone/iPad. A weird thing to be thankful for, but I keep everything in my phone/ipad and it helps to keep my life very organized!

6. Food. I am thankful there are so many recipes out there that I can still love to cook and eat despite a gluten intolerence.

7. Fall clothing accessories. I love scarves, sweaters, boots, leggings and beanies!

8. My co-workers/SLP friends. I am a much better SLP because they support me and increase my knowledge every single day.

9. Ugg boots. Yup I said it. I am very thankful for my Ugg Boots! I LOVE LOVE THEM!

10. My laminator. I am very thankful for my laminator because I am able to keep the wonderful things that people make and sell last a long time!

11. TPT. I am thankful there is an avenue that allows us to be creative and generate a small side income based on what we already make for our classrooms.

12. My blog/My blog facebook page. It has allowed me to reach out to people and share my insights into this wonderful field of speech pathology. I never would have dreamed that my blog would be as big as it is. I love meeting all of you and gaining new perspectives on the field.

13. Water. I drink so much water that I am really glad we have a well. You will never find me without water.

14. Marathons. A weird thing to be thankful for, but I am thankful I had the opportunity to run a marathon at least once in my life. It taught me work ethic and stamina in a way that nothing else in my life has. It was one of the ahrdest things athletically I have ever done and completed.

15. My animals. Jordan (my cat) and Ellie (my dog). They are the most precious beings and they keep me company when my husband is gone and truly love me unconditionally.
16. Clowns. I collect them and have over 200 of them. I think I am most thankful for the memories and thoughts behind each one.

17. My students. They have taught me so much about overcoming obstacles, goals and the ability to find success in the little things in life.

18. My SLP blogger friends. This blogging adventure started as an outlet to share ideas with my friends at school. It slowly grew to a close knit group of friends that I have never met that are encouraging, helpful and genuinely as passionate about their careers as I am. I love you all and I can't wait until we can all meet someday!

19. Cards. I love receiving cards in the mail. I love the hand written note that usually comes along with it. I lost my sister in law a couple years ago and she wrote cards for every occasion. Since I have kept pretty much every card I have ever received, I have her words safely in those cards for the rest of time.

20. Shark Tank. Have you guys ever seen that show? I LOVE IT! I have learned so much about being an entrprenuer, marketing and business strategy. My dad is very savvy in all these areas, so it has peaked my interest before, but this show has really highlighted my curiousity for this area.

21. Blankets. My husband's family joked that the first couple times they met me, I was wrapped in a blanket. Very true. If I am home, sitting on the couch, I am wrapped in a blanket (usually a giraffe print one that my best friend gave me for a wedding gift 4 years go =)).

22. The beach. Although I don't live anywhere near a beach anymore, I love to visit. I love the peacefullness and the repetitiveness of the waves. I love the sun and sand between my toes.

23. The rain. I am one of those weird people that get rejuvinated by the rain. I love cold fronts and movie days and dark rain clouds. (although I could do without the severe storms for a while).

24. My expedition. One month after I bought my expedition I got in a horrible car crash when somebody hit me on the interstate. It saved my life. It also safely brings me to everywhere I need to be. It will hold my husband and baby, when he arrives in February, and all our wonderful belongings.

25. The corny holiday songs and movies. I love Christmas songs and holiday movies. Hocus Pocus on Halloween. All of the Charlie Brown specials. Toy Story Story of Terror on Halloween. The Hallmark channel with all the thanksgiving and christmas movies. Yup me=addicted.

26. Quiznos Subs! Ok I know I have a gluten intolerence, but when I cheat it is at this restaurant. My favorite meal is the classic club with bacon, cheddar cheese and lettuce and that yummy seasoning they put on! I also like the raspberry lemonade and plain sun chips to go along with it! I don't cheat very often, but when I do it is here!

27. Tennis. Although I don't play much anymore at all, tennis taught me a lot. I started playing tennis when I was 10 years old. (a late start for tennis players). It taught me work ethic, success, leadership skills when I was team captain, passion, failure, how to overcome obstacles, teamwork, mental stamina, physical fitness and control. I played tennis on scholarship to a D1 university and prevented my parents/myself from paying college tuition for my undergrad degree and minor. Tennis has brought me all over the United States to tournaments and I have met so many people that have had an impact on my life through tennis.

28. This comes from #27. I am thankful for my minor in psychology. It has helped me be a better SLP. I have recalled various things I have learned in behavioral psychology, social psychology and abnormal psychology. I never knew how much the two intertwined until I started practicing speech pathology.

29. Cheese. Yes Cheese. I like string cheese, block cheese, different types of cheese, shredded cheese, velveeta cheese, cubed cheese, parmesian cheese, sliced cheese etc.

30. To be me! I am happy with myself. I am a positive person that loves to bring joy to others. I love to help people and do better for the people around me. I love to give compliments and smile. I am not the best speech pathologist in the world. I don't work at the biggest hospital in NYC. I am not the top seller on TPT. But I am good at what I do and I have helped a lot of people. I feel I have a good balance between work and my personal life. I know I am appreciated by people around me. On my annual review at one of my hospitals, I was ranked highest in the category "fullness for life" of all my co-workers. THAT is my kind of success. THAT is how I want people to know me as. THAT is how I make my impact everyday. I cannot wait to share my "fullness for life" with my son who I am already thankful for!

A hysterical story!

Ok I received this in an email from one of my teachers the other day and HAD to share! This was extra funny since I am 27 weeks pregnant at the moment!

It didn't have any source, so I was unable to state the source. This story was not deveopled by me. I dare you not to laugh though!

The 'Middle Wife'
by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back.

When I was a kid, I loved Show-and-Tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, Show-and-Tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.

Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater.

She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.'

'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.'

She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.

'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. 'She walked around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.)

'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.)

'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!' (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!)

'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe.
They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, so there must be a lot of toys inside there. When he got out, the middle wife spanked him for crawling up in there in the first place.'

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat.

I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's Show-and Tell Day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another 'Middle Wife' comes along.

Live every day as if it is your LAST chance to make someone laugh.

3 new products I've been waiting to premier!

I have been using these items this year to address my higher level students that are so very close to being dismissed. 

The first item I wanted to address articulation carryover since a lot of my students with articulation goals are on their way out of speech therapy at the junior high level. I am all about accountability in my speech room and this packet makes the student accountable for their progress with carryover and their ultimate goal of dismissal from speech.

Here are a few of the pictures from the Carryover Currency! My junior high students love earning "money". I have used the money included in this activity as well as the lakeshore money I bought from Lakeshore last year. Either way they love seeing a "financial gain" to their progress. I always tell them it is like the real world. The more you love what you do, the money will come. The harder you work, the money will come. 

This item is in mostly black and white for easy printing and use. You can download the preview and see the entire product prior to purchasing. You can purchase the item here!

The next item I am premiering tonight is a language activity that targets higher level vocabulary for secondary students. This was also designed for my higher level language students that are getting ready to be dismissed. I really wanted to do something extra challenging and they were stumped at first, but are getting quicker each time we complete the activity! See the pics before for examples of what this item entails. You can also download the preview on the TPT page to see the entire product prior to purchasing. 

You can download the preview and purchase the item here! 

The last item I am premiering tonight is a freebie that has already been downloaded by others today =) This item was featured to help some of my students with social goals realize that facial expressions are not the only way to communicate non-verbally. This activity was meant to show that a game of charades is communicating and it narrows it down to acting out emotions/feelings. I felt it was a good transition from something fun to something more serious and transitional into a real life scenario. 

You can grab the freebie here! 

Thanks for reading about my new activities!