Speech Therapy Activities for Mixed IEP Groups Using "The Grouchy Ladybug"

 

Do you need some new ideas for mixed groups?

The Grouchy Ladybug  by Eric Carle is an all-time favorite with early elementary teachers for introducing and teaching elapsed time. There are many different speech and language goals that can be targeted using this picture book during a shared reading activity and follow up extension activities. I typically use this book with students in second through fourth grade. It can also be adapted for older students in alternative curriculum classes with comprehension skills at this level. The Grouchy Ladybug is a fun and interactive book for mixed IEP groups.

In this blog post, I’ve listed some possible IEP goals that you can target during reading and extension activities.




Tier 2 Vocabulary: Aphids, stinger, eerily, “happened upon,” encountered, tusks, flippers, arrived, claws, horn, insist, screeched.

Categorize and Associate: Students associate animal with their characteristics (yellow jacket/stinger, elephant/tusk, lobster/claws, rhinoceros/horn, etc.)

Wh-Questions: Students answer “Who, What, When, Where,” and “Why” questions to show comprehension with visual support using my Wh-Anchor Charts FREEBIE.

Sequencing and Story Retell: Students have the opportunity to retell using the vocabulary, “first, next, then, last.”

Compare and Contrast: Students can compare and contrast the two ladybugs, the lobster and whale, the elephant and rhino, or the stag beetle and praying mantis using a Venn Diagram from my Mega Graphic Organizer Bundle FREEBIE or list Similarities and Differences using a T-Chart on chart paper.

THE GROUCHY LADYBUG: EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Story Comprehension

Using text support, students identified story elements, including: character, setting, problem, solution. Students then completed a story map graphic organizer. Students can work cooperatively to complete a group story map on chart paper or fill in individual story maps by differentiating the activity based on their ability to write and illustrate their ideas.

Character Traits

Students identified the time day and made text-to-self connection. “It was five 'o-clock in the morning when the ladybug woke up. Why do you think he was grouchy?” Students made inferences that the ladybug was still sleepy or was hungry for breakfast. Another inference can be discussed towards the end of the story.  Based on what we know about a ladybug, “Why do you think the ladybug was so tired at the end of the day?” Finally, “How did the ladybug change at the end of the story and why?  These Inference skills can be targeted through discussion, turn-taking comprehension games, task cards, or with a character change graphic organizer. We used the Ladybug Comprehension and Inferring Graphic Organizers FREEBIE from my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Articulation Practice

Students practiced their articulation speech sounds using my Ladybug Articulation Packet.

Craftivity

 Students created their own ladybugs by using the supplies of their choice. This was an opportunity for students to cooperatively plan, sequence and problem-solve an activity.

Author's Purpose and Theme

My campus is one of 289 Leader in Me Lighthouse campuses around the world. Teachers and staff help students connect the 7 Habits with classroom content. My students were able to practice Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind by knowing their goal for the session, as well as Habit 5: Seek first to understand then to be understood by discussing the Grouchy Ladybug’s treatment towards his friends.

The Grouchy Ladybug is an Eric Carle Favorite that students may have already read in class during a math lesson. With prior knowledge of this story, students readily engaged in activities and were eager to expand and share their experiences with this story.

What books do you use to target story comprehension skills?

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Grab the three FREEBIES linked throughout the post and check out these other products that can be easily paired with The Grouchy Ladybug.        

Butterfly, Butterfly, What Do You See? (An Adapted Interactive Book)

Ladybug Articulation for Late Developing Sounds

Ladybug Articulation for Early Developing Sounds

Spring Speech and Language Print-and-Go Materials

 Lisa, SLP

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