Today I’m super pumped to be joining Jenna over at Speech Room News for a linky party (I love these and hope you do too!)
This month’s theme is “Games I love.” I believe therapists and intervention specialists have a special gift in this area. What appears to be a simple game to an observer is actually the environment most learning takes place for many of our students. Here are some of my favorites stocked in my cupboard:
This game is a simple (and fun) way to address comprehension, main idea, fact/opinion, summarizing, antonyms/synonyms, idioms and more!.
2. HedBanz
This is one of my newest additions to my game cupboard and I am loving it! My kiddos with social language goals especially seem to benefit from practicing asking questions and answering them. You’ll have lots of laughs in your therapy room with this one!
This classic game is great for customizing and was the topic of one of my first blog posts! To journey back in time and grab up some free inserts for this game, click HERE.
I put a twist on this game and only use the picture cards. First, I lay out all the picture cards face up so everyone can see them. While taking turns practicing our goals, I have a student say “I spy….a seahorse.” The kids love racing to see who can find the card with the seahorse first. The one that does, keeps the card. When not incorporating goals with this game, it’s great to play alone for vocabulary development and naming.
5. Last, but certainly not least, is dear old Ned’s Head.
Ned has become a close friend to the speech crew in Mrs. Allison’s room and is by far my most requested game. Ned only comes out for VERY special occasions (so as to preserve the novelty) and is perfect around Halloween because of all the gross items. This game is also easy to customize for your own therapy goals. To see a previous blog post all about Ned, click HERE.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour of my favorite games. I’d love to hear what you own and any must-haves on your list!
Come as you are. Leave encouraged.
I'd love for you to join my newsletter family so that I can start sending weekly encouragement as well as access to an entire library of free resources like this Student Self-Progress Report Sheet!
Jenna Rayburn says
July 18, 2013 at 10:51 pmThanks so much for linking up Nicole! I’m such a fan of all the games you picked! What a fun job we have!
Jenna
Speech Room News
Carrie Manchester says
July 18, 2013 at 11:14 pmThese are all great games! I love Ned’s Head and Cariboo! I have the original Cariboo at school and Cariboo Island at home for my son!
Nicole Allison says
July 18, 2013 at 11:16 pmI used the original Cariboo during my student teaching and have been searching for one since! Too bad they don’t make it anymore…lucky you!
Julie A says
July 19, 2013 at 1:16 amI put Ned’s Head on my list, too… but am surprised how little cross-over I’ve seen overall on the “Love It and List It” link-up. Love Cariboo & Hedbanz, too, so now I guess I’d better try the No-Glamour game. Thanks for the idea!
Julie
Wide World of Speech Therapy
Sharon says
July 19, 2013 at 1:46 amGreat list!!! My students love Ned’s Head as well! On a recent Goodwill trip I found the “Operation” game in which you choose a card and have to reach into the head to find the object. The guy talks and buzzes when time is up. We haven’t played it yet (summer break) so I’m wondering if the kiddos will like it as well as Ned!
Lauren LaCour says
July 19, 2013 at 2:23 amI Spy has a memory game?? Fun! I’m going to have to place an Amazon over soon after all of these fun suggestions!
Lauren
Busy Bee Speech
TeachSpeech365 says
July 19, 2013 at 12:22 pmI found an old school Cariboo at a consignment shop and love it!!!
Julianne says
July 19, 2013 at 3:49 pmGreat games! I love the I Spy game and book!
Speech2U says
July 20, 2013 at 2:58 pmFun Games. My kids love Ned’s Head. Cariboo Island is on my list of garage sale games to pick up.
Amy Minor says
July 31, 2013 at 11:35 pmI just ordered this from Linguisystems the other day with my “testing credit” I am so excited to use it!!!!!!!
Nicole Allison says
August 1, 2013 at 1:49 amYay! I love it-hope you do as well!