by Anne Page | Nov 17, 2014 | Books, Inspiration
I was talking to my sister Cati, another book nerd like me, about The Book Whisperer. We were brainstorming ideas of what I could do to get my students excited about reading. Her 11 year old son Jack (yep, another reader) was listening to our conversation and told us about the time his class walked into an empty room. They found a paper by Anonymous that said “I hate to read. I don’t like Language Arts. Why do I have to read? I hate to read. I don’t like Language Arts. Why do I have to read?” Just those three sentences repeated again and again for the length of the page. Sigh. Poor kid.
With so much focus on testing comprehension and regurgitating facts we are vacuuming out all the joy and companionship found in stories. 
Recently when I was doing activities to go with the book Dragons Love Tacos I read the story aloud for two consecutive sessions with one group. On the third session, I said “this time you get to tell me the story”. My sweet little 8 year old student sadly shook her head “but I can’t read.” My objective was to have her do a story retell, but I wanted her to have a positive experience with reading even more. We held the book together, I read aloud and she moved her finger under the words. She felt empowered.
Books are so rich with language, I love using them to stimulate language and build vocabulary. Working with books can take a little more time and thought. And while it can be more difficult to get measureable results when talking about books; the conversational back and forth is so much more naturally occurring than worksheets and drill.
Since I have been reading The Book Whisperer, I have been talking to my students about books. I ask them what they are reading and I don’t roll my eyes if the say Pokemon. I ask them what their favorite books are and why. I am learning a lot.
Kids love a good story. If we can help our students and clients learn to equate reading and book time with entertainment and imagination, we are giving them a gift that will far outlast the short time we spend with them.
by Anne Page | Nov 12, 2014 | Books, Inspiration
I have been reading Donalyn Miller’s The Book Whisperer and I’m hanging on every word. Yes, I am a book nerd. I have always been an avid reader. I love everything about books: the colorful covers, the back flap, the different fonts and the feel of the edge of a page as I get ready to turn it.
Through books I travel, I make friends, I build character, I open my mind, and for a brief time, escape the demands of the day.
When I was a little girl, about 8 or 9 years old, my mom took me to one of my favorite places, the library. She told me I could stay while she went across the park to the grocery store. This was in clean, green Boulder city, a safe little town (back in the day). I was in heaven and quickly became lost in my book reverie. When I had my stack of books, I placed them on the counter and waited to check them out. And waited, and waited.
I was really shy then, but soon called out a timid “Hello?” No answer. I had been so quiet, the librarian didn’t realize I was there and had left. When no one answered, I went to the door. Locked. I was scared and trapped. No cell phones back then, I had no way of contacting my mom.
I opened the mail slot in the heavy wooden door and looked out into the street. I must have started yelling because I remember a lady on the sidewalk saying “Little girl, are you locked in there?” Luckily, the police station was right next door and my mom came to pick me up right as the police were helping me out. I’m sure she got a scare!
I still love libraries, no permanent damage was done. My point is how many of the kids that we work with love books and reading so much that they can get lost in them? How can we get them to be enthusiastic about books when they have language impairments and reading disabilities? Is it possible?
Donalyn Miller says a resounding “Yes!” and I agree with her. But it’s not going to be easy and many things will have to change.
The Book Whisperer is all about making reading magical again. In Donalyn’s classroom there are no book reports, comprehension worksheets and group reading. The focus is on independent reading and individual choice of reading material. The kids get excited about reading and learn authentic reading behaviors. Her 6th graders read 40 books a year AND achieve high scores on standardized tests. Best of all, she is creating a new generation of readers! I want to do that too! Watch for upcoming posts on what I try.
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by Anne Page | Oct 23, 2014 | Therapy Ideas
This packet contains games and activities to support the book Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin. The book is instantly engaging using humor and fun illustrations.
I have been trying this out for the last two weeks with great success. The kids love the story and are able to remember details. Using puppets and the games/cards from the activity has been a great combination.
The Activity Pack, available on TeachersPayTeachers contains two levels. Level 1 is designed primarily for kids with special needs. These are kids who are working on using longer sentences, who are learning spatial concepts and who are learning to answer “wh” questions. I made some of the materials in a large size to accommodate visual impairments and to facilitate focus (larger is easier ). I also kept the graphics very clean and simple.
The vocabulary in Level 2 (for Kindergarten to 4th grade) includes card for definitions, synonyms, antonyms. Just cut out these cards and use them during a simple board game. I just give the kids a taco card for each correct answer.
Level 1 also includes positional words (spatial concepts): These concepts can be really difficult to grasp. I made the images large (a full sheet). Concepts included are behind, in front, on (because it’s easy) and under. Hold up the card and say “Where is the taco?” If correct, give student a taco card to hold. Use the sheets to cue for Taco Bingo if needed. Bingo sheets are included. Sometimes bingo chips are too hard for the kids to grasp; try plastic water bottle tops or pompoms.
For both Level 1 and 2, there are “Wh Questions”. I created some visuals to help with the “wh” questions. The picture sheet is for use in cuing and for kids that are less verbal. The “wh” question cards are for use with the students that are able to answer questions but are still working on knowing the difference between a “who” question and a “where” question. Kids are given a taco card for a correct answer, they like seeing who can get the most tacos!
I hope you have as much fun with this as we have!
by Anne Page | Oct 16, 2014 | Therapy Ideas
I am always on the lookout for great picture books that have a fun message, colorful illustrations , a little humor, and appeal to a large age range. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, is a book that delivers. It appeals to my K through 4 students and my special needs students. I am a big proponent of bringing more literacy and the gift of story to all children. (Click on book title for a link to Amazon.com)
I look for ways to make the story come alive for students that are working on very basic communication skills. Visuals, sound effects, and a crazy enthusiastic reader (me) are all strategies that work! I don’t read at them, I include them in the story by getting them excited. This year I have a couple of student that respond really well to puppets. So I decided to make some puppets and “props” to help support the story in Dragons Love Tacos.
These sock puppets were sooo easy to make! I bought a really soft pair of socks from Target (the kids love the feel of these) and some felt sheets. It was really simple to make some wings and hot glue them to the socks. My husband helped me, and we made a stream of fire, and some fun little tacos for the dragons to eat.
When the puppets talk to the kids, the kids are sometimes more responsive. The puppet can ask them yes/no questions, “what’s your name?”, and ask them questions about the story. It’s just so much fun! I really encourage you to try it. Watch for my Dragons Love Tacos book companion COMING SOON!
“Beautiful Speech Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.”
by Anne Page | Oct 9, 2014 | Inspiration
I am on fall break this week and enjoying every minute of it! This is a great time to recharge. And here in Phoenix, October is the month when our HOT months are over! It’s planting time and outdoor life time. Brad and I took a little road trip to northern Arizona and got to enjoy the beautiful aspen groves. It’s so important to have work/life balance; I am grateful for this time! I hope you have some time to take a breather this month.
Hey there I’m Anne Page. I help heart centered SLPs and educators put the fun in functional communication. 