Do you use carrier phrase sentence starters in speech therapy? I do. ALL. THE. TIME.

Why should I use carrier phrases?

Sentence starters help to increase mean length of utterance. Students feel success knowing they can read many of the words in the phrases, even if they are non-readers, the repetition of the phrases quickly makes them readers! They often want to self select a carrier phrase strip to use yielding engagement in the activity.

How can I use carrier phrases?

I use my handy ring of carrier phrase sentence starters with almost any activity I’m using in therapy. Here are some easy ideas:

• Pair with a story read aloud for targeting grammatical structures (He has... They are...), labeling (I see... I found...) and categorizing and describing (A...is (a type of)... A...is/has (attributes)... A...can (function)...).
• Pair with articulation cards to move to the phrase and sentence level during therapy. I don’t often wait to use my carrier phrases. Once a target can be used correctly at the word level, we are quickly trying a carrier phrase!
• Pair with vocabulary cards for labeling (I have... It is...) or describing (A...is/has (attributes)...).
• Pair with mini objects for labeling (I found... I see...) or describing (using the interactive pieces).
• Use during group conversations to aid communication attempts (I like... He is... I want... Can I...)

Where can I get a set of carrier phrases?

Getting your own set of carrier phrases to use in all your speech therapy sessions is free and easy. Don’t miss out on downloading this free resource to aid in expanding student utterances! Simply click here to sign up to download this must have resource.

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Sparklle SLP

If you are like me, when workload tasks begin to overwhelm, I turn right to making attempts to organize (or reorganize) my spaces in order to clear the clutter from my view and hopefully my brain. Again, it is usually at these less than desirable times when deadlines are due and the clock is ticking, but nonetheless I find myself deep in the organizational trenches. So, whether you have a system for your speech therapy materials that might need a tweaking, desire a system for more efficiency, or are like me and tend to use this task to clear and propel other areas, I have a product that might be just what you need.

My Lesson and Materials Organization packet contains all the LABELS you need to set up a solid system for your speech therapy collections.

There are four (approximate) sizes:
8 x 10 Landscape
3 x 10 1/2 Strips
1 1/2 x 10 1/2 Strips
3 x 5 Rectangles

The labels are all in black & white and many include picture icons for easy identification. You can use these labels on bin storage containers, filing boxes or cabinets, binders, file folders, or zippered pouches.

Truly the possibilities are endless to organize (or reorganize) all your materials. The labels are simple, yet can add so much visual appeal to your therapy space. I chose to print my labels on white paper; however, you can also choose to print on the color of your choice to match your decor.

While labels are not editable; I have included months, holidays, seasons, a large collection of themes as well as speech therapy topics. Download the preview to see the list of all labels.

I start by taking some inventory on the materials I have and then sort them into themes or categories. I use storage containers for all my thematic materials.

Below are some Amazon Affiliate links that contain storage ideas.

I love these Sterlite containers and I was able to grab them on sale.



These Iris containers are great for themes in which I have collected a large amount of materials.



I tend to keep my non-theme speech therapy product materials in binders, bead/craft storage containers, as well as these photo storage boxes and zippered pouches.

 

While not pictured, I use the speech therapy target area labels on my filing cabinets and cabinets within my space/room.

You can also check out the other SLP organizational items to get your fill of organizing.

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Sparklle SLP

Whether you love to peruse the aisles or scroll online, this back to speech list for the school-based SLP may help make your experience a bit more efficient. I'm sharing my shopping cart of many items I routinely buy to stock up my speech room (Amazon Affiliate links included). You will also find a collection of my favorite speech therapy resources from my TPT store.

*This post was updated in July, 2024.

Velcro Dots-Little explanation is needed for these gems if you are a speech-language pathologist. These are quick and effective for prepping your behavior visuals to start the year off right. I use them to prep my visual schedule and token reward charts.

Use Velcro dots to create behavior support visuals.

Laminating Sheets-These help with prepping behavior visuals, task cards, or other interactive therapy materials. I like to buy the 200 count pack as I know I will go through these sheets quickly. My Scotch laminator has been serving me well for a very long time.

Sheet Protectors-I am obsessed with using sheet protectors for organizing my materials. I will use them for keeping originals safe in binders like these (no affiliation). Using sheet protectors and binders is one way I organize my book companions. I also use sheet protectors for student use to make worksheets interactive and reusable.

Use sheet protectors in binders to create interactive materials.

Document Holders-I have a collection of these document holders/job ticket holders that I keep handy to turn any worksheet into an interactive or reusable material. I also use one to hold my story dice and companion sheets.

Happy Paper-Worksheets look so much better on "happy" paper! It's an effective way to add color without using color ink. Plus, if you use sheet protectors or document holders you can reuse the materials printed on your "happy" paper!

Zipper Pouches-I now use clear plastic mesh zipper pouches for interactive materials, such as my barrier activities, where small pieces need to be contained. I've also started using the larger sizes for my games. Game changer! Just throw all the contents into the mesh pouch for easy clean up.

Magnetic Hooks & Rings -I have several metal filing cabinets, a metal storage closet, and a metal rolling cart (similar, no affiliation) so having magnetic hooks is perfect for hanging visuals and task cards on rings. I have both 1" and 2" rings. Check out my FREE Carrier Phrases and my Essential Visuals product.

Highlighters, Black Dry Erase Markers & Magic Eraser Sponges-I keep highlighters handy for having students highlight their target speech sounds encountered in text. I also write on tables all the time. I never go anywhere without black dry erase makers and magic erasers!



Tempera Paint Sticks & Paint Markers-Worksheets can instantly be engaging when using paint sticks or paint daubers. My students love them! Paint sticks are nice because they dry instantly. Paint markers last longer though.

Clear Spinners-I created no prep spinner activities for articulation and language targets. While a pencil and paper clip work just fine, my students really enjoy using these clear spinners.

If you want more storage organization ideas, check out this post. It shows my 10-Drawer Cart, Small Materials Organizer (similar), Thirty-One Fold N' File, and my toolbox with FREE labels.

Two additional storage items that has been purchased multiple times for my therapy room are these Photo Storage Boxes for corralling all my task cards and these Bead Organizer Boxes for my articulation cards. Check out these FREE labels here and here.

What are your back to speech essential buys?

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  All opinions are my own.

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Sparklle SLP