Content vs. Skills in Speech Therapy: Striking the Perfect Balance for Secondary Students

Listen as Hallie talks about striking a balance between content and skills in speech therapy.

This week on SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie is tackling the age-old debate—should we focus on teaching classroom content or the underlying skills our students need? Hallie dives into the sweet spot of blending content learning with skill building, ensuring your students not only grasp their classroom material but also develop the skills to tackle new challenges. With strategies and relatable examples, you’ll leave equipped to create engaging sessions that resonate with your students. Tune in and discover how to empower your students for long-term success!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• The dilemma of balancing content teaching and skill building.
• Importance of teaching both content and underlying skills.
• Common pitfalls to avoid, such as becoming a glorified tutor.
• Strategies for integrating real-world relevance into therapy sessions.
• The four ingredients for a successful speech session: understanding, creativity, adaptability, and compassion.
• Practical therapy ideas that blend content with skill development.

Here’s what we learned:

• Focus on both content and skills to empower students.
• Avoid teaching every vocabulary word; instead, teach strategies for comprehension.
• Make therapy relevant to students' real-world experiences to boost engagement.
• Use creative and adaptive strategies to connect therapy to classroom content.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets