In the Arctic Language Development Fun

Every winter I incorporate speech and language goals into an arctic themed lesson that I create and adapt for my clients in elementary school.

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

I purchased a few bags of beans and a tub of mini figurines at the arts and crafts store Michaels (with that handy 40% coupon!). These figurines are also available on Amazon.

Amazon affiliate links included.

I create a hide and find sensory bin that allow my students to discover various animals and objects typically found in the Arctic. Through this simple, hands on play, I can introduce, name and describe various animals and objects using child friendly definitions.

Introducing new vocabulary through hands-on play is fun and especially beneficial for children who are kinesthetic learners.

Seeing that my clients had so much fun with the sensory bin, I took it a step further by designing various hands on activities and worksheets that allowed children to further review vocabulary, formulate thoughts, and expand ideas. So, my In the Arctic Packet was created and is now available for purchase in my TPT store.

Using a thematic approach, a child is introduced or re-introduced to vocabulary associated with the Arctic (e.g. polar bear, igloo, musher). Penguins DO NOT live in the arctic. Since repetition is vital to language learning, In the Arctic includes several different ways for vocabulary to be entertainingly experienced (e.g. Colorful cards to play memory and cute puzzles to put together).

In the Arctic targets MORE than just vocabulary! There are 5 different Venn Diagrams (in color AND in black and white) to assist your child in comparing and contrasting various animals and items associated with the Arctic.

Next, there is the Arctic themed – Listen and Follow the Directions Activity that encourages your child to carefully listen and follow super amusing directions (basic one-step directions and more complex two-step directions).

Then, there is the enjoyable –Listen, Learn, and Remember Game that teaches your child fun facts about the Arctic – your child will DEFINITELY want to play this game!

An open-ended articulation worksheet was recently added. Now you can use this with your articulation students too!

This resource includes the following:

• Memory Cards
• Paper Puzzles
• Venn Diagrams
• Listen and Follow the Directions Activity
• Listen, Learn, and Remember Game – (Fun Facts about the Arctic)
• Open Ended Articulation Worksheet – Cover the Snowflakes

In the Arctic can be used by speech therapists, educators, and parents and enjoyed by children in Kindergarten through at least 4th grade.

ENJOY!

For a selection of children’s books to further enhance learning about the Arctic, please click HERE. 

Have a toddler? Here is a how I use sensory bins with toddlers to get them talking!! Click the image below to learn more:

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Kimberly Scanlon, M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist, an author and a mother. As the owner of Scanlon Speech Therapy, LLC, a unique boutique practice in Bergen County, Kimberly embraces individuality and treats the whole person. Her goal is to spread compassion, hope, and some speech, language and literacy tips one moment, one person at a time. Her first book,My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development and her second book,Learning to Read is a Ball are available for purchase online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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