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It's that time of year where most of my younger kids are taking field trips to the zoo. They are super pumped about it, so why not tie in some zoo life into your therapy sessions?
A few months ago, we took our daughter to the zoo. It was so much fun seeing her expressions as she got to see and touch (with a lot of hand sanitizer) so many animals!
A trip to the zoo can really bring out some major language opportunities. For example, before you go, have the kids predict what they will see. Show them a map and maybe google image some picture of animals that live at the zoo. While you're there, ask them what they see, hear, and smell- although that can be a loaded question if you are anywhere near the elephants! Days following your trip, have them recall what they saw, who they were with, and what their favorite part was.
Every time I am given the opportunity to jump on a classroom's thematic unit train, I do it. Kids learn the best when they see the material in multiple settings and with many exposures, so why not bring it into the therapy room too? The zoo unit may be one of my favorites. A few weeks before the field trip, I like to bring out some zoo themed books. There are so many great zoo books out there but these are a few of my favorites:
Since I was spending so much time teaching about the zoo, of course I created a thematic unit of speech and language activities to go with it! This packet is full of activities that target: vocabulary, patterns, comparing & contrasting, articulation, and writing... just to name a few! There are also some open-ended activities included that you can use to target any goal desired!
What's a thematic unit with out a matching homework packet? I've got you covered!
You can download these activities in my TpT store here, or enter to win a copy below!!
