SLPs Hopping Back Into School Blog Hop

Welcome to another stop on the blog hop!

If you are just starting the blog hop, head on over to the very first blog so you can read the instructions for it all.

I am so glad you're here!!  I wanted to share a simple freebie with all of you that I hope will make life a little easier!

My inspiration for this set came from my placement this summer.  We had a box with a picture of each child in it.  The pictures were separated by group/time they were in. So we had a Monday AM group, Monday PM group, etc.  This really helped me.  However, I wish there was more info on the back about their age, likes, goals, etc.

So I created these cards to help you do just that.  You can keep them in a box or on a binder ring.  It is to help you have a quick reference that you can pull out and glance at in the middle of the group if need be, without having to sort through all of that child's paper work.  I tried to make the pictures diverse to work for all settings. A black and white card for both boys and girls has been included as well.

 

You can download this freebie from my TpT store here.

Here's your clue for the blog hop:

You seriously don't want to miss out on the prizes of this blog hop.  They are FABULOUS!!

To continue hopping, click on the picture below!

A HUGE thank you to all of those that contributed to this blog hop!  Check them out below:

Make Time for Fun

Do you work long hours?  Do your work one job and then go to a second job either that day or on the weekends?  Are you overwhelmed by the amount of work that piles up?  Are you overwhelmed by scheduling and reading IEPs right now? I have one message for you:

Yes you heard me right. You might think I'm crazy. Maybe I am.  I can very well guarantee you that I would be even crazier if I didn't make time for fun.

I don't know about you, but here's what I'm like when I'm stressed and don't take time to have fun.
I'm grumpy.
I'm tired.
I'm tense.
I say things I don't mean.
I blame things on others when they don't deserve it.
I have less patience with my students.
I'm more likely to snap.

Sound familiar?

Someone once told me that humans are social beings. We're made/wired to be around other people.  While I do agree with this somewhat, I also know that some people get more energy from being alone/not being around people (aka. introverts).  There is absolutely nothing wrong with being an introvert versus an extrovert.  I know people draw their energy/get recharged from different sources, so I'm not going to sit here and tell you exactly how to have fun.

Read a book. Paint a picture. Do a little retail therapy.  Exercise.  Get a manicure. Meet up with friends. Do something that makes you happy.  Just do something!

So why am I telling you this?  Not only is it a reminder for myself as I'm writing this, I hope it can be a reminder for you in this busy, stressful time of year!

You may or may not know that stress can actually negatively impact your health.  So it's good to take time to relax.  Let me say that again:  it's HEALTHY and necessary to take time to relax.

I think sometimes it's easy to get in the routine of life and claim that we don't have time for ________ (insert fun activity here).  I would then recommend that you schedule it in.  Make time for it.  Here's why: I took two courses this summer.  I had both finals on Tuesday. I also had the opportunity to go to the lake for the weekend right beforehand.  Did I want to go to the lake? Absolutely.  Did I need to study? Yes. Here was my compromise:  I went to the lake for one and a half days (Friday afternoon thru Saturday evening). I studied until the lake trip, attempted but failed to study at the lake, and studied once I got home.  Did it stress me out a little? Yes, I'll admit it did. I didn't know if I had studied enough going into the finals.  But I can tell you I was more relaxed than I would have been if I had been freaking out all weekend.  In the end, I did fine in both classes, and I didn't regret going to the lake.  I would have regretted not going to the lake with all my friends.

So schedule it in.  Don't live your life regretting what you could have done.  Live your life to the fullest.  Make a plan and make that plan happen. Your SLP work will get done, I promise.  It always does.

Make time for fun, friends. You won't regret it.

Expressive {App Review and Giveaway}

I just completed a course in AAC this summer, so it has been on my mind a lot recently.  We had to opportunity to play with some of the devices and apps that are available out there.  Today, I want to take the time to show you one of those options- Expressive by Smarty Ears.

The Basics:
-It is a mid-level AAC app
-It is intended for children and adults
-It uses 10,000 Smarty Symbols
-It has male and female voice options
-Can use it horizontally or vertically
-There are options for text-to-speech
-It is based on categories to help clients build phrases.

How to Use:

First off, I would recommend that anyone who wants to use this app watches the video tutorial available here.  I think it helps to see it in motion!

You open the app and it takes you to this screen:

You can see the basic categories there.  If you click on one of those folders, it will open up specific vocabulary under those pictures.  Just click on the picture and it will move it to the white space at the top.

One thing I love about this app is that you can customize it for the user.  You can add your own folder or specific vocab under any folder. Note: It is for ONE user, not multiple users.

You can add your own images or you can add from the Smarty Symbols library (10,000 symbols)! These symbols and folders can be color-coded, too, for easy organization!

There are several setting options, too.  You can lock the screen so that the child/adult can't change what's already on there.  You can also have it automatically erase the message once it has been spoken once.  The slider at the bottom controls the speed.  You can also change the voice output used- there are 2 male voices and 2 female voice options.

Expressive also offers back-up and restore options under the info button (blue) at the bottom! This is such an important feature to have with an AAC system.

Bottom Line:

This is honestly one of the easiest AAC apps to use and played around with.  It is so intuitive. The way it is organized just makes sense to me. It's not complicated, and is organized in a very logical manner.

Updates I'd like to see in the future:

I would love to see a way to print the boards out.  I know this may seem counter-intuitive since this is an app, but it is SO important to have back-ups and back-ups of those back-ups.  A printed copy of the boards would ensure this.

You like this app?? You can find it on iTunes currently for $25.99.

Smarty Ears was generous enough to give a copy to ONE lucky reader. Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win! It will be open until Friday night, August 30.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: A code for this app was provided to me for my review.  No other compensation was received. 

Love It And List It Linky: Organization

Happy Monday, everyone!  Today's topic is organization.  This is one of the most important things for grad students (and busy SLPs).  This post is a part of Jenna's linky party called Love It and List It!  Check out her original post and the entire linky party here.

These are three simple ways that I have stayed organized as a grad student.  It makes life a lot less stressful when things are organized!!

1.  My number one way to stay organized is with a good planner.  I write everything down....everything.  I posted one picture the other day.  Here are some more for you to check out, for those of you who were asking. It is from Erin Condren, and YES, it is worth the price.

 

2.  I've always had this organizer.  I think it started out as a Beanie Baby holder.  I then used it as a shoe holder. Now I'm using it as a place for all of the little cards that come with TpT products!

3.  Another way I try and stay organized is with all of my "little" things like pens, staples, or batteries. I started this project a few weeks ago and haven't had a chance to finish it yet.  It has been awesome so far though!!

There you have it- THREE simple ways to remain organized as a busy grad student (or SLP). Happy organizing :)

Fab Find Friday: 8/23/2013

It's back to school time!!  Some of you are already back at school. Others will start soon.  Where did summer go???

1. Miss Speechie over at Speech Time Fun posted a whole list of websites that you can use with older students!! Check out this awesome list here.

2. Speech Snacks posted a great new STUDENT planner with checklists, weekly organizers, homework charts, and much more! Check out this great post and product here!

3. Maria from Communication Station: Speech Therapy LLC posted about using playdough and cookie cutters in therapy.  Check out this great idea here!

4. Jenn from Crazy Speech World posted another great DIY craft, this time for a chalkboard frame.  Check out her cute craft here.

5. Miss Kindergarten wrote about how to use Scotch Expressions Tape in her classroom.  She has some great, cute ideas here!

6. I heard this quote recently, and it has just stuck with me.  I created a poster for it, so I thought I'd share it with you.  Enjoy it!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Please note: All images have been used with permission. 

10 Products This SLP-to-be Can't Live Without

This past year and a few months of graduate school has had some real HIGH highs and some really LOW lows.  We've all been there right?   I wanted to share with you some ways I stayed organized, on track, and SANE this year during school.  I'm sure that they will apply to real life, too!  There are some affiliate links for your convenience.

1. A PLANNER!

I know this is totally a Type-A thing to say, but I would probably be lost without my planner.  I've tried using Google Calendar by itself, and it just doesn't work.  I do use it, because it'll send me reminders for when I don't have my planner in front of me!

Here's a sneak peak into mine. Not too full yet, since school doesn't start until next week.

2.   Cleaning Wipes

I don't necessarily consider myself a germ-a-phob, but I do like to keep my hands and the surfaces that I'm working on clean.  I'm pretty sure using these has prevented me from getting sick multiple times.  Our clinic has them all over the place, but I also have my own, just in case we run out.  This is NOT a substitute for washing your hands, though.

3. Colored Pens

As you can see in my planner, I have everything color-coded.  For the most part in my planner, Blue=class, Green=fun/personal life, Pink=blog, Orange=exercise.

4. Binders

Being Type-A and all, I had to have everything organized by class.  How did I do it? Binders galore.  You should see my shelves.....It's BAD.  Except that everything is organized.

5.  A Keurig

I told myself for a long time that I would never become a coffee drinker.  I would drink water and stay awake that way.  Then finals week happened, and I needed caffeine...I caved and bought a Keurig.  I admit it was a TOTAL impulse buy for me, but it was so worth it.  I come from a family of coffee and tea drinkers anyway, so having one around while I have company is not necessarily a bad thing.

By the way- I'm still not a coffee drinker.  I have coffee with my creamer instead of creamer with my coffee, if you know what I mean.

6.  Good Books

One of the last things I usually want to do is read because we already have to read SO much for school.  However, I've learned that taking even just a few minutes at the end of the day (or at the beginning) can make a huge difference for me.   I just recently finished Gone Girl, and Cold Tangerines has always been a favorite of mine (each chapter is a quick little story with a little lesson).

7.  Head Phones

This may seem like a funny thing that I can't live without, but I really can't live without them.  I know they are terrible for your hearing, so I try and keep the volume as low as I can while I use them.  I use them while running or working out in the gym, walking to class, or when I'm at school in our student lounge.  It's not that I'm trying to be anti-social, it just helps me zone out what's happening around me and focus on the task at hand- be it running 5 miles or finishing a paper.

8. Fresh Flowers

Something about fresh flowers in the apartment just brightens it up.  I also live in a place with white walls, so it helps bring a little color in.  I don't know what it is about flowers, but they just make me happy! I discovered that Trader Joes actually sells fresh flowers for a fairly cheap price.  You can get some bouquets for $3.99, $5.99, or $9.99!! Let me tell you, the $9.99 bouquets are HUGE.  I'm so impressed.  They're always so beautiful, too!

9.  A Memory Foam Pillow

A good night's sleep is one of the most important things you can do for yourself in grad school (and the real world!).  This pillow has saved me from having really bad neck pain.  I rarely wake up with a kink in my neck or a sore back (just from my pillows).  I love it so much that I generally take it with me when I travel home, even though we have a million pillows.

10.  Meal Shakes

For some reason, my school thinks it's a good idea to schedule classes over the dinner hour.  It's quite annoying and makes it really difficult to plan meals and when to eat.  I decided that I needed a fast and easy solution for those nights.  Meal shakes have been that option for me, since they fill me up enough so that I just need a little snack when I get home from class.  It's not necessarily something I would recommend all the time, but it works for those nights.  There are a lot of different companies out there for this, so I won't post a specific picture. I personally use Shaklee.


What are some products you can't live without??? 

S...peachy Feedback Linky Party: August

First of all, thank you SO SO much for all of your purchases and feedback that all of you have left.  I cannot tell you how much it means to me! You are ALL amazing!!

It's that time again--Feedback Link Party hosted by Allison's Speech Peeps! Your feedback is SO important to us as bloggers, so thank you for leaving it!! You all made this a VERY tough decision. All of you left such wonderful feedback. So hard to choose.  

Today, I'd like to give the shout out to Julie Graham.  Julie, thank you for being a faithful supporter from very early on in my blogging adventures! I so appreciate you and the feedback you left on my EBP binder! I love Julie's idea to print it and put it in her planner!

Julie, please email me for your choice of a product from my store!!

Just so you know, the huge sale is still going on tonight! You have until midnight Hawaii time tonight to make all those purchases (aka 6am Eastern time)!