If you caught my September post about books in speech therapy, here is the October edition! If you have been around here before, you might have a hunch that I love using books in therapy. Honestly, it's my favorite way to plan lessons. Using a book really takes the chore out of planning, makes the perfect material for mixed groups and can be used for multiple sessions!
I've gathered some of my favorite books for October. The list is already long and keeps growing. I really have a hard time not using ALL of these books, as I really love this collection. Below you will find links to the books as well as a long list of general targets and a short "top targets" list to help your therapy planning needs for each book. There are MANY surrounding . Halloween, so if you don't use holiday books, check out some of the non-holiday titles in my Interactive Notebook Book Companions Bundle.
Here’s the list of books I have set aside for October.
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Here’s what I target with just about EVERY book:
→Sequencing, retelling, summarizing, story grammar/elements (character, setting, problem, events, consequences, ending/solution)
→Tier 1 describing, Tier 2 vocabulary, synonyms & antonyms
→Comparing & contrasting/similarities & differences
→Basic concepts, direction words, temporal concepts
→WH questions-basic and inferential
→Inferencing-social/pragmatic
→Verbs & pronouns
→Sentence generation-higher level structures, conversational, expansion
→Articulation
Here are my "top targets" for each book.
I Need My Monster
Describing characters, similarities & differences
Synonyms & antonyms
Asking questions
I just LOVE this book and so do my students. It's the perfect combination of sweet mixed with scary. Here is a link to my book companion. Are you using Boom Cards(TM)? Check out this digital story check.
Crankenstein
Inferencing-social/pragmatic
Problem solving
When questions-complex sentence structure (ex: When there's no more syrup, Crankenstein feels...)
This, too, is a MUST read. It's a quick read and will be one you may read over and over again. You can find my book companion activities here.
Big Pumpkin
Sequencing
Tier 1 describing
Predicting
Problem solving
I've been using this book for so many years. Earlier in my SLP career, we used to do a whole interactive skit with our students, complete with costumes and all. Check out my book companion here. It has been updated to include a Google Slides(TM) version!
Room on the Broom
Sequencing
Predicting
Tier 1 and Tier 2 vocabulary
This book is full of colorful language. My quick prep book companion can be found here. It has also been updated to include a Google Slides(TM) version.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
Sequencing
Problem solving
Onomatopeia
Tier 1 describing
I have been using this book since I was in grad school. I also have been known to bring in all the props and make a scarecrow with my students to leave up for the month. You can find my (first ever) book companion for this book here.
Creepy Carrots
Problem solving
Sequencing
Conjunctions
This book is a great reminder for anyone that might be getting too greedy! You can find my interactive notebook activities in this set.
Monsters Love Underpants
Story grammar
Rhyme
Some giant chuckles AND added language.
Combining monsters and underpants is definitely a win! Check out the interactive notebook activities in this set.
The Hallo-Wiener
Story grammar/elements
Inferencing-social/pragmatic
Similarities & differences
A great book for teaching students to rise above challenges. You can find interactive notebook activities within this set.
Turkey Trick or Treat
Predicting
Tier 1 describing-costumes/disguises
Regular past tense
Inferencing-social/pragmatic
The entire series by Wendi Silvano is just perfection. Your students will be rooting for turkey and all his disguises. You can find interactive notebook activities here.
Otis and the Scarecrow
Perspective taking
Tier 1 and Tier 2 vocabulary
Otis is seriously the sweetest character around. While this book tends to be on the long side when trying to fit it into a short session, the story line is absolutely worth it. You can find my quick prep companion here.
Now, which ones to choose this year? Do you have any other favorites? I'd love for you to check out my October Book Companion BUNDLE to start your therapy planning now.
