The luxury of providing services virtually is that there is no need to print, cut, laminate, cut some more, velcro…though some of us may have enjoyed how mindless and therapeutic prepping could be compared to the rest of the job! Finding virtual materials that are interactive + engaging with minimal prep work (and bookmarking for easy access) can still be therapeutic (in a different way).
I never forgot when one of my students threw up on a set of cards I made during my first internship. I couldn’t remember where I found the images, and it was almost as if I had made them for nothing. The best part of virtual resources is that once you save these sites and materials they will be with you forever (and you won’t have to recreate any of it after wear and tear…or vomit).
This month’s materials spotlight is one I use for all ages and all levels. It has been a personal favorite for moments when the session isn’t going to plan (a topic discussed in a previous post), when I’ve got a group with different goals, or even as reinforcement at the end of teaching a skill (to assess for carryover). To be clear- this is not an ad. I have no financial agreement or affiliation with this product- I love it a lot!
Baamboozle is a site that you can use for FREE or purchase an annual subscription if you’d like to create your own materials. The first year, I didn’t need a subscription and was completely satisfied with what it offered. I caved in and purchased a subscription when I realized I wanted to make my own games or edit the ones already offered (this isn’t necessary to be happy with the product- just a personal preference).
To use, type anything you want in the “Search for Game” tab. It can literally be anything from conversation starters, figurative language concepts, subject-verb agreement, specific speech sounds, interview questions, and fun activities like Would You Rather and Scattegories.
Once you select a game, click it and see all the trials that are included. Review to make sure it is appropriate for your student or group. If you don’t have a subscription you can click “Play” and will view it in almost a Jeopardy form. You may also view the items individually as a slideshow as a review before the game.
*Here’s an example of an activity if working on the /r/ sound
You can select the number of players (up to 8), grid size (field of 8-48), and decide if you want it to contain the target item or fun hidden options (e.g. take points from another player, double your points).
*This is the type of game you can access without paying for a subscription.
If you have a subscription, you can edit any item by changing the wording, deleting it, and/or adding additional items to the activity. Other options exist to use those items in BINGO, Connect 4, Tic Tac Toe, Memory, Soccer, Bowling, Story Dice, and a few others (they’re always adding other ways to play).
There’s even an option to share the activity if you want the student(s) to continue practicing at home between sessions!
To wrap this up, this is the website I use when I have zero time to plan, and I know I will find something appropriate for ANY age. I promise!
