I love all things summer: popsicles, lightening bugs, sleeping in, and of course, extra free time!
I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite SLP bloggers to help you figure out how to spend your free time this summer! Think of it as a choose your own adventure – SLP style! lol
If you’re an intense Type B speech-language pathologist like myself, you’re probably ready to relax with some good books. You love speech-language pathology and want to learn more… but you don’t want to sit in front of a computer screen or attend a CEU event. I’ve got your back with some wonderful professional reads! Grab some sunscreen, a big floppy hat, and head to the pool with one of these books!
*This post contains Amazon Affiliate links*
Scaffolding with Storybooks: A Guide for Enhancing Young Children’s Language and Literacy Achievement by Laura M. Justice and Khara L. Pence
This is one of my favorite reference books! It chock-full of research, but it’s easily digestible. You can totally read this by the pool! Speech nerds, unite! haha.. Each chapter examines an aspect of literacy, such as alphabet knowledge or phonological awareness. It begins by introducing the topic and then lists out different books and activities you can do to target that skill! It is truly a treasure chest of fun activities… that are evidence-based! It’s no longer in print, but I saw a used one going for just $1.05 on Amazon!
Comprehension Across the Curriculum: Perspectives and Practices K-12 by Kathy Ganske and Douglas Fisher
A must-read! In fact, I think I’m going to re-read it this summer! It truly is an enjoyable read and will equip you to tackle comprehension in a variety of subjects (science, social studies) and in a variety of grade levels. There are chapters that focus just on primary grades, intermediate grades, and even middle/high school!
Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction by Isabel L. Beck, Margaret G. McKeown, and Linda Kucan
I totally need to update my professional library with the most current edition of this book! This is my favorite book about vocabulary! I’m a word nerd (aren’t all speech-language pathologists?!) and this book is wonderful! It provides easily digestible research and loads of ideas to use in therapy!
Already Ready: Nurturing Writers in Preschool and Kindergarten by Katie Wood Ray and Matt Glover
Anyone else completely fascinated with writing development? If so, you NEED this book! It’s so good. This is another professional book that is easy to digest (my nice way of saying that it isn’t boring haha). This book is on the big side (although, it’s thin), but that shouldn’t be an issue with a beach bag! haha.. This book looks at what it “truly means to be a writer.” It provides research and real-life examples. I love how this book is organized. The beginning of each chapter provides research and information about the given topic (example: The Importance of Making Picture Books) and the chapter ends with a “Meet the Author” section. The author is a young writer and it discusses that child’s work. It’s a precious touch.
The Brothers and Sisters Learn to Write: Popular Literacies in Childhood and School Cultures by Anne Haas Dyson
I’m a big fan of Anne Haas Dyson’s research. If you’re new to my blog, one of my life’s passions is literacy. I love all things reading and writing. This book specifically looks at how a child’s culture influences their writing development. She follows five African American children during their first grade year and chronicles their learning. It’s wonderful. Truthfully, this book isn’t as easy to read as the previous books listed, but its content is so important. I wouldn’t recommend it for the pool, because it requires more concentration. This is a great book for a quiet environment though (on your couch, in a hammock in your backyard, etc).
Want more ideas for your summer break?!
- What kind of SLP are you?! Take this fun quiz on Sarah Wu’s Blog to figure it out!
- If you’re an Intense Type A, check out these CEU opportunities at Speech is Beautiful!
- If you’re a Low Key Type A, check out these ideas from TLC Talk Shop!
- If you’re Low Key Type B, check out these relaxation ideas from Speech Therapy Plans!
What are your summer plans? Leave a comment and let me know! Have a wonderful break!
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