Use YouTube Videos to Spice Up Language Therapy

by Angela Hannigan 
(Corvallis, Oregon, USA)

Target

Wh-questions, multiple meaning words, antonyms, synonyms, categorization, figurative language, vocabulary, retell/sequencing, and identification of key versus irrelevant information. 

Goal Example

Student will identify more than one meaning for homographs/multiple-meaning words (e.g. fly, story, call).

Activities

The popular Discovery Channel YouTube videos entitled "How It's Made" make wonderful language activities and average only 4-5 minutes each.

The best part is that there are so many to choose from that you and your students will never get bored.

Download this lesson plan.

Then watch the video about how donuts are made below.


  • Begin by reviewing your language goals (see attached lesson plan and photo).

  • The first portion of your session may be spent reviewing all the multiple meaning words that they are about to hear, or by providing antonyms/synonyms.

  • You can also pre-teach WH-questions (e.g. Tell students to listen for "why they dust doughnuts with corn starch")

  • Review new vocabulary before playing the video.


SEE ALSO: The Best Free App for Speech Therapy


  • Talk about categorization terms that will appear in the video.

  • Review new phrases, figurative language, or idioms that they will hear (e.g. "that’s how the doughnut was born")

  • After watching the 5 minute video students can practice retell and sequencing or discussion points (e.g. "Use adjectives to describe your favorite doughnut").

  • For older students teach independent learning skills by practicing identification of "key" information versus "irrelevant" information.


How do you use YouTube videos in therapy? Leave a comment below.


SEE ALSO: The Best Books for Speech Therapy Practice

Speech therapy books for targeting multiple goals


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