SLP Secrets to a Successful First Week Back to School
If you're gearing up for the chaos (ahem, excitement) of the first week back to school, I've got your back. Let's kick off the school year with some juicy secrets to rock your first week back and set the stage for a stellar year ahead. From taming wild behaviors to mastering speech schedule Tetris, I’ve got it all covered!
Secret 1: Behavior Systems
Let's face it, we've all had those students who can turn a simple game of Bingo into a WWE match. Implementing a solid behavior system from day one can work wonders. How about a card system where students earn free rewards like sitting in the “teacher chair” for great speech and behavior? I’ve got blog posts dedicated to everything from incorporating mindfulness to punch cards to scented rewards, so be sure to check them out here!
Bonus Resources
Secret 2: Back-to-School Activities
Break the ice with fun back-to-school activities. Create a faux social media profile to learn about each of your students so they can showcase their unique personalities and speech goals! Review goals with your students using a game of Trashketball or a simple craft.
Bonus Resources
Secret 3: Creating a Speech Schedule
Ah, the coveted speech schedule! The key here is organization. Color coding, sticky notes, and a touch of magic can help you create an efficient schedule (at least as efficient as it can be to start out the year). Check out this post for Speech Scheduling 101 and make scheduling not-so-scary!
Secret 4: Task Management
Ever feel like you're juggling while riding a unicycle? Yeah, me too. To keep your tasks in check, try using a digital calendar and tracking your caseload by due dates for the year. I also love using this SLP-specific planner to stay on track. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and getting your tasks in line may take time at the beginning of the year.
Bonus Resources
Secret 5: Classroom Setup
A well-organized classroom really does make your job feel a bit easier. Consider alternative seating, areas to incorporate movement, storage options to hide away games when they aren’t in use, and a student-free area for your desk.
So, in conclusion…
Gear up, grab that coffee, and kick off the school year like the champ you are. Your students are lucky to have you, and remember, you're not just an SLP, you're a speech-tastic wizard making communication dreams come true. Let's do this! 🌟🎤🦸♀️
