Pages

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Processing Auditory Messages Exactly and Totally {Review}

For those of you who are fans of my Facebook page you know that my district recently provided me with therapy materials to use with students. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting reviews of those materials. There is an overwhelming amount of products to choose from out there, hopefully, my posts will provide you with info regarding  items you deem worthy enough to add to your SLP toolkit.

Processing Auditory Messages Exactly and Totally (PAMET) is a 60 page workbook meant to target auditory memory and processing via black and white reproducible illustrations.

Cover

Two instructional levels are provided (I and II). Level I (below) contains simple directives such as, "Circle the bug" or "Underline the chipmunk that is holding the mushrooms."


Level II (below) contains longer more detailed directives such as, "Find something that can move even though it has no legs or hands. Color its eyes green"


A variety of language skills can be targeted through the use of this unit.  Additionally, the comprehension and use of: vocabulary words, prepositions, verbs,"wh" questions, as well as strategies to aid with memory can all be addressed with this simple and straightforward workbook.

Despite being presented as an activity for younger ages (2nd - 5th grade), I find that my students lack many, if not all of the skills targeted by PAMET ($26.55).

In many cases, the idea of coloring may seem rather juvenile to your middle schoolers. As such, I use highlighters instead of crayons/markers, as they serve to "mature" the activity. Also, to add an element of competition (and curb "cheating") to my therapy group, students set up barriers using their speech folders.

What activities/materials do you use with your students to target processing/comprehension/memory?

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Middle School Confidential: Real Friends vs. the Other Kind {Review & Giveaway}

I think it's pretty obvious by now that I'm enthusiastic over the Middle School Confidential (MSC) series of graphic novel apps, as I'm devoting another post to it!  Real Friends vs. The Other Kind is based on book 2 of the MSC series and I must say, I am pleased yet again!



As the title suggests, friendship is the focus of Real Friends vs. The Other Kind, an issue that is very relevant to middle school. Readers will read about common problems as they relate to respect, peer pressure, fairness, rejection, breakups, and making friends.

Questions & scenarios are posed without being "cheesy
Newly added are the interactive quizzes that can be used to assist students in understanding why certain choices are better than others (see below).



Language skills such as figurative language, perspective taking, sequencing, processing, problem solving, foreshadowing, and social thinking can all be targeted with this easy to use and engaging application.

After purchasing this app  ($2.99), users can download a free 25 Leader's Guide that accompanies the MSC series that contains discussion questions and activities addressed in the app.  

App Compatibility:

Real Friends vs. The Other Kind is Compatible with NOOK, Kindle Fire, nabi, Android tablets, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. It requires iOS 4.3 or later.

Take a look at Real Friends vs. The Other Kind in action:



David and Annie Fox (creators) have graciously provided me with a promo code for you to download Real Friends vs. The Other Kind and use with your students!

***UPDATE***

David and Annie have given me 2 more promo codes making it a total of 3 codes that I will be giving away!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure Statement: I was provided a copy of this app by the developer. No other compensation was provided. This review includes solely my opinions. 


Pin It button on image hover