What's Been Happening in the CCES and CCIS Speech Rooms?

Since my last post, we have been very busy in the ES and IS speech rooms working on our speech and language goals and objectives.  Our themes over the last month have included pirates (students really enjoyed this unit so we stretched it out over two weeks!), football, and community helpers.

This week we are doing a Zoo Animals theme.  Students are working on identifying and labeling zoo animals based on descriptions of each animal as well as using EET to describe the animals by their attributes.  Some of my students are practicing answering and asking wh- questions about zoo animals while others are following multiple step directions with zoo themed worksheets.

So far the favorite activity of the week is a "Who Am I?" PowerPoint.  I have provided a link to the document HERE that you can download if you'd like.  In this activity, three clues or riddles are provided and students are then asked to name the correct animal.  After that, we click on the animal's picture and learn more about that animal on the San Diego Zoo's website.  Students are loving expanding their knowledge with interesting information, pictures, videos, and even live animal cams!  The website is loaded with great information - you should definitely check it out! Another great zoo website that's a little bit closer to home is the Brookfield Zoo.  Fourth graders at Coal City Intermediate were lucky enough to visit the zoo in person on Tuesday, but you can check out what this local attraction has to offer by checking out their website.

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Next week will be a short week due to parent/teacher conferences on Thursday and Friday.  Although I do not set up a formal conference schedule, if you would like to schedule a conference in advance or just stop in to chat while you are in the building I would love to discuss your student's progress with you.  You can reach me by phone at (815) 634-2334, ext. 1363 or via email at apatten@ccu.net.

Greetings from Mrs. Patten

Hello and welcome to Tales from the Therapy Room!  I am so glad that you have found your way to our collaborative therapy blog and hope that you find some helpful information while you are here.  

My name is Amanda Patten, and I am the speech-language pathologist for Coal City Elementary, Intermediate and Middle Schools.  I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and my master’s degree from Northern Illinois University.  This is the start of my 12^th year working with the students in Coal City.  This is my fourth year as an employee of Coal City; prior to that I was employed by the Grundy County Special Education Co-Operative.  It is a joy and honor to work with the students, staff, and administration of this district.  My students teach me something new everyday and always put a smile on my face.  

In speech this year I am asking my students to work hard during their therapy sessions to in order to gain new “superpowers”.  Those superpowers are the goals and objectives that have been written for them in their IEP and include tasks like answering questions following a story, describing by attributes, improving expressive and receptive vocabulary, and expanding their use of age appropriate speech sounds in their conversational speech. 

Last week students identified one “ultimate superpower” that they want to master before the end of the year.  It was a great activity for helping students recognize and understand their learning objectives when they are in speech.  My students this year are very motivated, and I have no doubts that they will all do their very best at obtaining new superpowers in the speech room and beyond!

Make sure you bookmark this blog and check back often for updates from the therapy rooms throughout the district.  My contact information is located on the right sidebar of this blog - please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you ever have any questions or concerns about your child's speech and language development!

Welcome back friends!  I'm excited to be starting off another school year with the students, staff, and parents of Coal City Unit District #1.  My name is Jen Swanson and I am the occupational therapist for the district.

I have the pleasure of serving the entire district and enjoy the opportunity to work with students in all of our buildings.  Occupational therapy is a profession founded on the belief that people are healthiest when occupied with meaningful activity.  It is my job to help students to achieve functional skills and independence in performing activities within the school setting that help them to be successful in all they do at school.

Here is a little info about me.  I earned my undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Missouri--Columbia and my master's degree from the University of Indianapolis.  I have worked in the district for 10 years now (WOW!), 7 years with Grundy County Special Education Cooperative and the last 3 years as a district employee.  Areas of concentration for professional growth for me include sensory integration, visual impairments, and assistive technology.

I believe in the potential of all of our students no matter their level of ability.  I love supporting them and challenging them to become the best they can possibly be and helping them find joy in their journey.  Please continue to check back on this space for updates about what the students are getting up to in therapy as well as helpful information about supporting their growth.  I'm looking forward to an adventure-filled year!

Welcome to Tales From The Therapy Room!

We are so glad you are here! It is our goal to use this space to update visitors - students, parents, colleagues, and administrators - on the fun and exciting things that happen during speech and occupational therapy sessions within Coal City Unit District 1. We hope you find this blog informative, giving you an insight into what happens behind the closed doors of the therapy room.  There are many amazing things that go on during therapy sessions with the students of Coal City, and we can't wait to share them with you!