Building Successful Lives- Speech & Language Services: Fall Word Associations

Monday, September 30, 2013

Fall Word Associations

Last week, the weather here in Atlanta finally began to cool off a little bit. In the mornings, the temperature has been in the 50's or 60's and then warms up to 70's and 80's. I am sure for those of you that live more in the north the weather is much cooler than that. Anyhow, the leaves are already beginning to change around here and the colors are anticipated to be the most beautiful in late October to the beginning of November.

My students and I look forward to the change of seasons because it also means a new theme in my speech language therapy classroom!! Yeah!! I have already displayed a few of my fall themed books such as:

Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie by Herman Parish and Lynne Avril Grades Pre K - 1

There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves by Lucille Colandro Grades K-3

A is for Autumn by Robert Maas Grades K-2

Home-Field Advantage by Justin Tuck (great football/family theme as well) Grades K-3

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson Grades Pre K- 3

Fancy Nancy: Our Thanksgiving Banquet by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser Grades K-3

I often like to start my seasonal themed units with a word associations activity to get my students thinking about related vocabulary words. I love this activity because it allows my students to freely think of words they associate with the season of Fall. I always let them know that it is okay that everyone does not have the same answers. In fact, I encourage them to think of different answers than those shared by their classmates.

Here is a preview of my Fall Word Associations activity with photographs that I took. The pictures on the cover page are from my back yard about 2 years ago! I love photographs because they capture so many memories. I hope your students enjoy this activity to jump start the season!