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Friday, August 30, 2013

SLPs Hopping Back Into School-Blog Hop




I am so excited to be participating in my 1st ever blog hop!

I did not know they could be so much fun or that you could get so many wonderful treasures. Everyone is a winner who participates in this blog hop because each participating blogger is offering you a freebie from their individual TpT stores. That means nineteen (Yes, you read that right, 19!) fabulous new items to begin your school year. Also three lucky people will win big time, because we are giving away three major prizes. Our sponsors have been so very generous with donating things some fabulous PRIZES!    Here's what you could win:




 


Want to play?  Here is all you  have to do. Visit each blog starting at the beginning, read it, click on the that person's FREEBIE to download it.  Next, find the secret letter contained within each person's blog post, remember it so you can enter it in the final blog to register for the prize drawing through rafflecopter located on the last blogger's post.  Easy peasy right?  Now let's get started.

Here's my FREEBIE!   Go download it now, then continue your blog hop for other FREE materials!

Click here



Now you can start collecting the letters you'll need to enter the drawing for the BIG Prizes!  

Here is my secret letter.  It goes with the other letters you will find with the scissors icon on them to spell out a 5 letter word.


Now you are ready to continue your hop!  Have fun!

Click Here


Click Here





All of us sincerely thank our sponsors for their generous gifts to make this the most fabulous of BLOG HOPS!  











Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The Impact of Product Feedback

Product feedback isn't just for me or the other sellers, it is for you as well, to help you make a wise and informed decision before spending your money.  So let me share a couple of thoughts about the topic of product feedback and also to reward one lucky person who left me some awesome game changing feedback.  (...and it is literally game changing, you'll see why I say that in a minute).

The obvious reasons for you to leave feedback on the Teacher Pay Teacher products you buy is to share with others what you think of the product and to get credits which can be spent as money on future purchases. Very worthy reasons don't you think?  Each credit is valued at a nickel so 20 credits equal a $1.  It doesn't take long to accrue these credits either.

When you leave feedback you are sharing your opinion which does effect how a future customer will view that product, so your words are very important.  While we all appreciate and love to be stroked with kind words like "Great product!" and "Love it," we would really like to know WHY you loved it.  Likewise, when you say "great product," but rate it less than great, we would like to know in what way you felt it was lacking.   We can improve our products when we receive comments that direct us to make it better.





I received some fantastic feedback this week concerning my WH Question game that I want to use as a perfect example of good feedback. In fact, her feedback alone will cause me to update and add to that product to make it better for you!  Here is what she said:

"I liked the activity but would have liked more places and people also, for asking where and who questions."
She was specific in what she would like to see improved about it.  That I can do! I have to admit that the timing of her comment was perfect because I had just purchased some people and places clipart during the big sale, so it will be easy to add to the product.  I will let you know when I update it, so if you have purchased it you can download it again with the updates!

So you see, we do read your feedback and what you think is important to us and you can impact what we create and direct future improvements.   The moral of this blog is this leave feedback it pays!

Now it is reward time!  That wonderful feedback was left by NICOLE BOWERS!

Congratulations, Nicole Bowers, you just won any downloadable product  (hard goods are excluded) you want from my store!  It's free with my thanks!  Please contact me (fishy1981@gmail.com) and tell me what you would like to have and I'll get it to you!  And thank YOU for helping me make my WH Question game better!

This blog is part of a delightful link party so be sure to see the others!


Dean

Dean Trout's  Little Shop of SLP

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Dean-Trouts-Little-Shop-Of-Slp






Sunday, August 18, 2013

De-Stressing SLPMomma Style

One of the biggest sales of the year for teachers is the big Back To School Sale by Teachers Pay Teachers.  All of us, with stores, have been focused on this one event for months.   I found myself back in May thinking about new resources I could create for the upcoming school year and followed those ideas up by creating them. That lead to revamping the look of my store by creating cover pages for my products which was a fairly lengthy task.  But the really big chore (and it was a chore) was when I realized my downloads were not protected. YIKES!  So I literally spent weeks (plural) password protecting each and every page of each and every file for every item in my shop.  All of a sudden I looked up (figuratively speaking, of course) and it was time for the BIG SALE, summer was basically over, and I had not spent any time in a lazy summery way.  (NOTE: One should never lose one's life this way.)

At my age, life is not all ahead of me anymore, it is the NOW, the PRESENT, and that is truly where I try to spend my time.   Sadly, I had lost my summer looking at the future...the next upcoming thing...I lost many "todays" looking at "tomorrow".

I could feel the stress starting to build and decided it was time to walk away from it, to just Let It Be. (Thank you, Beatles.)  It was time to DE-STRESS!  So come with me as I share how I spent a beautiful Friday in Johnson City, Tennessee, De-Stressing SLPMomma Style:


A major stress buster for me is to drive a convertible.  Nothing will blow the cobwebs out of your head faster than the wind blowing through your hair, as you cruise down the highway.  Come on there's room for 3 more! 


A great lunch spot in Johnson City is Cranberries.  The food is excellent and the decor inside is whimsical, which strikes my fancy. However, on a perfect day like today, who wants to eat inside?  I dine outside, which always brings back very delightful memories of eating in Italy.  


Tomato and basil quiche with a side of fruit and a glass of southern tea...mmm!   I leisurely eat it instead of scarfing it down as I normally would because look doesn't this view just cause you to pause?



With my sunglasses back on, it's on the road again with no particular destination, but like all women,  I ended up here:  


A little retail therapy is good for the soul too.  I have never been a "weekend shopper" for many reasons (no money, rural locations, no time, etc., etc.) so it was a real treat to simply amble around in the stores and just browse.  I normally shop with a get this, this, and this, and a get on home mentality, but today I looked and touched and smelled and was just present in the moment.  Now if I can just remember that I saw something I want to go back and get for our Trout Christmas girl exchange gift :)

When I did finally come home, I hit the couch for a nap, because obviously, my de-stressing worked :)

Are you letting your todays slip away from you? Tell me how do you de-stress.

XOXO,
Your SLPMomma

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Getting ready for BACK TO SCHOOL!

It is that time of year when we go back to school with great expectations and hope for a really good year.  This year WILL be better than last year because we are going to make it better!

It is also when we take stock of our materials to see what we have that we can use this year and what needs to be pitched.  Sometimes the things we use daily are so good we simply wear them out and we really do need to replace them. Other times it is simply outdated materials that just need to be thrown away!  I need to pause here and ask how many of you still have outdated materials in your cabinets/closets that you don't use but are afraid to pitch because you "might" need that some day?  I know when I retired I had 17 of those huge black school trash bags full of materials that I "might need" but never did.  So today I give you permission to pitch those things to make room for more current material.

With the creation of Teachers Pay Teachers, Teachers Notebook, and other online marketplaces we now have access to 1000's of fabulous products that are used effectively everyday by SLPs just like you and me.  These are tried and true activities that work.  These activities are created by SLPs and reflect their individual therapy styles.  Just as we all don't like one particular style of clothing or jewelry, we each have our own style of delivering treatment approaches in therapy.  Todays new venue of buying downloads and creating your own material is the perfect solution to tailoring your materials to your teaching style.  And when you leave that position to go on to your next, you can take your materials with you because they are your materials.

This week and weekend is the BIG BACK TO SCHOOL SALE for both Teachers Pay Teachers and Teachers Notebook sites.  I have duplicate stores at both sites so can visit either one.

My "Little Shop of SLP" at Teachers Notebook has a sale going on today through Monday night.  25% off!  Click here to visit it.

I'll be participating in the Teachers Pay Teachers big sale starting Sunday the 18th and Monday the 19th.    Click here to visit my store there.  Everything in my store is 20% off and TPT offers an additional 10%!

I have created some new things over the summer months that I think you'll find everyday useful.  So take your time perusing my shop and don't forget to look at your wishlisted items because everything in my store is on sale even those bundles that I said I wasn't going to include are included!




Monday, August 12, 2013

Fun Stuff for Your Week

Many of you are back in the groove of school already and many are getting your rooms ready to start again very soon, either way everyone is B-U-S-Y!  If you are anything like me (or the way I was) those first few days back in a new year totally wiped me out. I was good for nothing after I got home in the evenings! So I thought I bet those girls (and guys) don't have time to peruse their blog rolls and see what is going on this week.  It is with that thought in mind that I decided I'd summarize a few of the fun things going on that you might not want to miss.  Things I know you'd want to take advantage of if you knew about it!

#1.  Let me share there is a Back To School blog hop going on that involves 17 SLP bloggers!  You can corral some really fun things for those first few days back in the saddle, partners.  (I bet you hear the clink of my spurs as I type this can't you?)  Seriously though, they are having a giveaway where you can win prizes and get many great freebies..woop-woop..for FREEBIES!   So check this out-
SLP's Back To School Blog Hop   The prizes are pretty amazing and something anyone can use!

#2.  On Tuesday, August 13th, Natalie Snyders is going to celebrate her birthday with a one day sale on a few selected items from her TPT store: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Natalie-Snyders   

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR NATALIE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Wishing you good health, and happiness in the coming year!

#3. Also on Tuesday night you can join in some FUN online and enter to win free items of your choice from Figuratively Speeching SLP! You won't want to miss the SLP Trivia Night with Jessica Schulman.

#4 This is going on all week so you can still jump in on the fun of this one!  Enter to win prizes as Kristin celebrates her 2nd blog birthday!  You are the winner in her celebration.
http://kcummingsslp.blogspot.com/2013/08/happy-birthday-to-you-simply-speech-is.html?m=1

So take advantage of these 4 great things going on this week.  After all, they are just for YOU!  

Have a great week!
Dean


Sunday, August 4, 2013

It's My Blog Birthday!



It's my blog birthday!  



I have been at this for 3 years. 

I posted my first blog on July 28, 2010.  

Wow, and I haven't stopped talking since! 


This month marks the start of season 4 :)

I feel like celebrating so let's have a SALE!

And what better time than as you start your new year!


I feel 3 years deserves 30% off don't you?

What better place to have a  BIG BIRTHDAY BASH than at my Teachers Notebook shop!

Just click HERE to enjoy my gift to you my readers!
(The sale will last from 8/4/13-8/11/13)

My sincere appreciation for hanging with me these past 3 years! 

Dean


Friday, August 2, 2013

A Dozen Great ideas for the Start of a New School Year!

No matter how old I become, I will always be aware of the beginning of a new school year.  Ok, I admit it is hard to miss with all the commercials on TV and in the media, but for me it is more than that. It is an internal rhythm set about by 57 years of living on a school schedule, either as a student or school staff member.


 I still love the smell of new crayons and a freshly sharpened pencil. 

 I love the look of a clean sheet of paper. 
  
The crackling sound a new hardback book makes when you open it for the first time.

The jittery excitement you feel when you walk into the building on that first day.


Going back to school is exciting for many reasons and today I'm going to share with you a dozen great ideas for your start to a new year!   I have compiled a list of things to either help keep you organized throughout the year,  management systems for your classrooms, or to decorate your room and make it fun for you and your kiddos! These items are all readily available from Teachers Pay Teachers stores, which means they are accessible to everyone.  You don't have to live in a big city to find them!!  Isn't that great for those of us who work and live in rural areas?

There are several different planners and data binders listed.  I'm sure you will find the one that matches your style!

1. Speech Therapy Organization and Data Binder by The Speech Bubble 

It doesn't matter if you are just starting out or seasoned veteran, being organized can be tricky. This cute binder contains cover pages and resources to help organize your day, week, year, whatever you may need.
This binder includes: 
- Cover pages for all sections
- Communication log
- Screening tracker
- RtI letter/consent, data tracking form, and progress note
- 2 different data collection sheets
- Session planning form
- Student note sheet
- Testing planning form 
- Monthly calendars from August 2013-December 2015

- Yearly calendars for 2013-2015




Help organize your speech life with this planner! Included are two different designs, polka dots and chevron, so you can mix and match to your style preference! 
-August through July Calendar: Offers enough space to jot down important meetings and give you a broad view of your month.
-Monthly Paperwork Page: Designed to keep track of upcoming IEPs, Re-Evaluations, Screenings, and Evaluations. You have tables to keep jot down student names and due dates.
-Weekly To Do List Page: A view of the week Monday through Friday, making it easy to keep track of what needs to get done!
-Weekly Theme Planning Page: Help organize your therapy by listing books, materials, crafts, and other things needed to plan for the week.
-Cover & Back Pages: Two different cover pages, one reads "SLP Planner" and one "Planner". 


3. Speech In Space-Room Decor by The Speech Bubble

Want your speech room to look out of this world? This packet will help you get your room stellar for you and your speech cadets. This space themed packet contains:

- Clip Chart Behavior Management System ( 6 circles )
- Space theme lettering for bulletin board spelling out “Speech in Space”
- Two large space themed figures for bulletin board
- Speech room rules set: Sign and 4 rules
- Two space themed speech and language certificates for your speech cadets

- 4 hall passes: nurse, office, bathroom, and blank for you to customize


4. Let's Get organized by Simply Speech

This packet includes printable to help keep you organized. It includes:
1. IEP Student List
2. Consult Log
3. Parent Contact Information
4. Parent Contact Log
5. Speech/ Language Referral Log
6. Speech/ Language Screening Log
7. Data Sheet
8. Anecdotal Data Sheet

9. Labels (pre-made and blank)


These pages are designed to print and insert into a three ring binder. 

Contents:
Pages 1-4: Four different cover options
Page 5: Content list
Pages 6-31: Calendar Pages (July 2013-August 2014 plus blank month)
Pages 32-43: Planning Pages (M-F, one page each for AM and PM sessions)
Pages 44-45: Student Goal Sheets
Page 46: Contact information Sheet (use to keep track of student contact info)
Page 47: Contact Log for documenting parent contact
Page 48: To Do List Page
Page 49: Notes Page
Pages 50-51: Examples of How I use the Planning Pages and Student Goal Sheets.
Pages 52-55: Data Collection Book Covers if you choose to keep these in a separate binder
Updated Per Request to include:
Page 56: Eval & Screening List
Pages 57-68: IEPs and Meetings Monthly Lists
Pages 69-70: Student Attendance


6. Rainy Days and Sunshine Rays Weather Behavior System by The Little Speech Nook

For speech-language pathologists, having a classroom management system in place allows us to maintain a productive, collaborative classroom. This download includes:
*Directions for how system works
*7 classroom posters indicating: "Outstanding Effort!, Making Good Choices, Ready to Learn, Think About Your Choices, Loss of Privilege, and Parent and/or Principal Contact" upon which students monitor their behavior.
*2 pages of numbered cards 1 through 12 that the SLP can use to tag student classroom chairs.
*3 identical pages of smaller versions of numbered cards 1-12 for SLP's to use for tagging clothespins, Velcro-ing, or drawing from a box for use with the classroom system.

*A bar graph worksheet upon which students can monitor how they are feeling each time they come to speech. One page should last for one month. At the end of the month, the SLP can conduct an extension activity discussion how to interpret the graph.


7.  My First Week In Speech by Nicole Allison

Everything you need to start your year off right! Students will know what to expect when they walk into their speech and language room. Stay organized, inform students of their goals and be prepared for school year 2013-2014!

In this 43 page document, you receive:
*1 “Speech Rules” Header
*10 rules, along with 2 blank to create your own
*”My First Week in Speech” in both worksheet and booklet to discuss goals with your students
*”My Speech Room” worksheet
*”My Teachers” worksheet
*17 “Get to Know Me” conversation cards or game
*2 Data Progress Reports for students to keep track of their data
*1 Data Progress Reports for the clinician to keep track of data
*12 Month Calendar, along with 1 blank to keep track of IEPs and evaluations
*2 Star certificates
*3 Parent Letters, along with 1 Intervention Permission Slip

*6 Binder Covers



8. Speech language Pathologist Decor Set Brights by Natalie Snyders

Does your speech-language therapy room need a makeover? Want to add a little pizazz to your existing classroom decorations? This product is for you! (This version includes Rainbow Brights, Retro Rainbow, and Summer Brights. 
This is a complete classroom decor kit designed for SLPs, and includes:
- "Welcome to Speech & Language Therapy" Pennant Banners - 2 versions (rectangular and triangular)
- Incentive Charts - 2 versions
- Speech Sound Signs (for all consonant sounds)
- "Speech-Language Therapy" Sign
- "Speech-Language Therapy with ____" Sign
- Monthly calendar (1 page each for August 2013 - July 2015)
- Rules Poster (1 filled in, 1 blank)
- Small and Large Blank Labels
- Large scalloped letters (2 per page) that spell out "Speech & Language" and "Communicate" - 14 pages

There are 54 unique pages in each theme, plus 14 pages of black and white letters.



9. I Can Statement Posters for SLP Aligned with CCSS by Natalie Snyders


This set of "I can..." posters is designed for speech-language pathologists to use in therapy to help comply with the Common Core State Standards. This stylish set of 28 posters is written in child-friendly "I can" language, and comes in three color schemes (Rainbow Bright, Retro Rainbow, and Summer Brights - please download the preview for samples). Also included is a 5 page chart that lists each "I can" statement and corresponding ELA CCSS (grades K-6). There are 33 unique pages offered in this product, with the rest being different color options. It coordinates perfectly with my SLP Classroom Decor Set in Rainbow Brights!




This set is for any professionals working with students that may need some incentives for improving behavior and acknowledging when a student has gone above and beyond. We all feel good when we know our hard work has been noticed. Use in the classroom, speech therapy or in your counseling sessions.




Documents to help jump-start your career as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Included:
~ Student Referral Form
~ Articulation Concern Referral Form
~ Caseload Schedule Planner
~ Daily Session Planner
~ Weekly Session Planner
~ Therapy Notes form
~ Attendance Data form
~ Speech Progress Chart
~ Progress Chart
~ Communication Log
~ IEP at a Glance
~ IEP Meeting Notes




What better time to learn about the classroom than the start of the new year? 
Create a thematic language unit with the classroom as the focus.
Create 82 task cards for the skill areas of 
Attributes 
Compare/Contrast 
Thinking/Reasoning 
Problem Solving
Following Directions

1 Open Ended Board Game-”Best in The Class”
• 22 task cards for learning item attributes through WH questions: What is it? What do you do with it? What is it made of? Where would you find it? What are its parts?
20 task cards for comparing and contrasting items; How are a chair and a rocking chair alike? How are they different? 
20 task cards for thinking and reasoning; Besides a book shelf where else could you put books?
20 task cards for problem solving; Someone spilled milk on the table. What should you do?
2 blank classroom pages, 2 pages of classroom furniture/items in pictures, and 24 directives to follow for pasting the pictures on the background. This could also be used for a barrier activity!


Here's to a great new school year!  Any of these products will help make it so!


Bonus for you!

 My friend CC sent me these after I posted but I wanted to share them anyway. She didn't know I was posting today ;) I love the at a glance pages she created:

Super Planner
Includes:
-Yearly calendar
- IEPs at a glance page
- Evaluations at a glance page
- 12 monthly calendars
- 52 weekly calendars
- Note page (blank)
- Notes page (lined)
- Contacts page

- Contact Log

Posters:
-Speech is Super on one page
-“Speech is Super” spelled out on multiple pages to be cut and displayed
-3 versions of Speech Rules
-Noise Levels
-Behavior Clip Chart

Beginning of the Year Activities:
-Fill in the Speech Rules
-Build you own Super Hero

-Super letter to parents


Dean :)