My first time goal is to allow the students to think ahead and problem solve or use critical thinking skills. This is an easy approach to working on expressive language or fluency goals. I tend to ask questions like.. What do you think will happen next? Was there a problem with _____ (whoever the main character is) on this page? Can you tell me what has happened so far? The list goes on and on! I just try to keep my questions open-ended to avoid the "yes" or "no" responses!
My second time goal is for the students to "read" the book to me, using their specific sound target, fluency target, or grammar/language target with as much success as possible. If I feel like we should sequence the events of the story, then I use my handy dandy iPad and snap some pictures of the book. I then print those pictures out and there ya go, an easy sequencing activity!
I enjoy using wordless picture books with my fluency students! What better way to work on strategies than with a book that has no words?! It may seem harsh, but most of my students who struggle with stuttering have an incredibly hard time "reading" a book with no words. It causes loads of anxiety. What happens when a student who stutters has anxiety? They typically stutter. I dislike nothing more than having students who stutter in my room for therapy and they show no signs of stuttering! I believe we become "safe" and their anxiety lessens. I strive to cause that anxiety so that therapy is purposeful!
One of my favorite wordless picture books is No, David! by David Shannon. There is so much that happens in this book. The only words on the page are typically "No, David!", so I'm sure you can gather that he is doing everything a child should not do! Another favorite of mine is "Have you seen my duckling?" by Nancy Tafuri. This one only has the words "Have you seen my duckling?" throughout it. If you are interested in others, I have found a website that encompasses a lot of options! Click here!
Do you use books in therapy? Do you create activities with the books you use? Do you try to elicit blocks/prolongations/repetitions from your students who stutter through the use of books? I'd love to hear from you!
I use books in therapy ALL the time! Wordless books are great for eliciting language samples! If I use a book, I try to stick to ones that are short and simple, then I add an activity that is based on the book or the theme of the book.
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