When I was told by my employer that I would be a contract SLP at a middle school, I knew it would be a unique experience. However, I didn’t know how unique it would be.
The first thing that came to mind was, how am I going to plan therapy for middle schoolers? I wanted to find activities that were challenging and goal-oriented, but also activities that were exciting and motivating. I wanted activities that were central to their lives, but still something informative.
I decided on this (awesome!!) resource from Brain Waves Instruction on TPT. This resource served as a lesson I can use over numerous sessions, targeting executive function, receptive language, writing/reading goals, + many more. I’m having my students read background information and discuss their thoughts on segregation and the Civil Rights movement, read a passage and answer related questions, write thoughts and ideas about famous quotes, + so much more.
This activity is so informative, plus it’s goal oriented (and low-prep!!)
SO – starting out my day at Middle School I figured I would work on this activity, discuss our group’s thoughts, and answer questions. What I didn’t plan on was having deep conversations with students about racism affecting their lives and their emotions behind it. Middle schoolers have so many wise thoughts and deep feelings – today was much more than education on Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. Walking into school today I had no idea I would be consoling a student on how racism impacts him, but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to serve as a listener for this student and to provide a safe space for him to share his feelings.
Make sure you are always giving your students the opportunity to discuss what matters to them, and always listen. Always be a safe space. Always be a friend.
— Courtney B SLP