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It is no secret Mandy and I love a good theme! So as preschool speech-language pathologists, we use themed based therapy in a variety of settings. This month we are targeting clothing as part of The Creative Curriculum teaching strategies. While we have many small group activities, we always incorporate a whole group speech and language lesson targeting the current theme. Check out our speech and language clothing activities!
Keep reading to see how we planned and executed a clothing themed whole group lesson including a literacy component, a song, hands-on activity, and Smartboard task. Plus how we communicate our lessons with parents to encourage carry-over of speech and language concepts at home. Lastly, grab our free large group lesson planning template for themed based fun all year long!
We like being overly prepared for whole group speech therapy lessons. Typically we have four or five activities ready to go for a 20-30 minute large group session. And since we did the work for you this week, you will be extra prepared! So here are our five clothing themed activity ideas to do with a large whole class group!
Whole Group Clothing Speech Activity #1: Themed Book
To start things off, we like to read a story that fits with our theme! For this lesson, we often read “The Washing Line” by Jez Alborough. This story has it all…lots of language concepts, fun flaps, and a cute plot! Check out the read aloud link below!
There are so many awesome clothing themed stories out there for a variety of student levels. Mandy and I both like having the book to present while reading as well as playing the YouTube link for students to follow along. The read aloud link is also perfect to share with parents for continued concept exposure at home!
Whole Group Clothing Speech Activity #2: Interactive Fun
After listening to the “The Washing Line”, we love to recall the story with actual clothing items to keep things interactive! We create a clothesline complete with clothing pins. Students take turns coming up to the line and pinning on big or small clothing items that match the story. At the end, we like to spray the drying articles of clothing with water for a fun way to discuss wet and dry!
This speech and language clothing activity not only keeps students super engaged, but also supports occupational therapy goals! Your fellow OTs will thank you! Check out how else we like to collaborate with our OT counterparts in this blog post: SLP Tips For Collaboration with SW, OT, PT, Teachers, & Parents.
Whole Group Clothing Speech Activity #3: Technology
Not sure about your students, but ours absolutely love any opportunity to use the Smartboard! During our whole group speech lessons, we utilize BOOM Cards to target a variety of language skills. In addition, BOOM Cards are a great way to support student learning behaviors such as turn-taking, waiting, and more!
We love these Laundry Clean Or Dirty BOOM Cards by Learning Access Decks. Students can label items then decide if the article of clothing is clean or dirty. Great way to encourage adjective + noun phrases plus a review of basic concepts. These will definitely be one of your go-to speech and language clothing activities!
Did you know that you can share BOOM Card decks with parents? Just click the fast pin option to get a link. Send the link to parents along with the pin number for access to the deck for seven days! Students will love showing off their clothing knowledge at home!
Whole Group Clothing Speech Activity #4: Music Time!
No whole group speech and language lesson is complete without a super catchy (and themed!) song! For our clothing large group, we love the song “Get Dressed For The Day” by the ever popular Singing Walrus. We apologize in advance because this song will probably be in your head for the rest of the day!
Whole Group Speech Activity #5: Carry-Over Task
If you have gotten through all of the above activities and need another engaging task before your assigned time is up, we have just the thing! Check out our Clothing Vocabulary Scavenger Hunt for the perfect activity for those kiddos who love to move! We love hiding the concept cards around the classroom. Have students move around the room to find the clothing items and return to the circle time area. Project the vocabulary checklist onto the Smartboard then have students label, describe, or state the function of each item!
Grab your Classroom Vocabulary Scavenger Hunt here to complete your whole group lesson today!
Now that you have the best clothing themed whole group speech and language lesson, be sure to read 5 Tips For Planning A Productive Large Speech & Language Group and grab the planning template freebie to rock all of your whole groups!
We hope you have found some speech and language clothing activities and inspiration for your next whole group speech lesson! Tried one of these activities out? Let us know on social media. We would love to hear how it went!
Kate & Mandy
Talking Mama Bears
