As a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist, my summers off are sacred. But, if there is one thing that makes me wish I could provide therapy in the summer, it's summer themes. ALL the heart eyes for themes like ice cream, the beach, and the 4th of July!
With Independence Day approaching, there are a ton of amazing and engaging activities to use with your students right here on the world wide web! Check out these resources that are sure to 'spark' your students' interest!
BOOM CARDS™
Create your own fireworks show while practicing speech! This deck of Boom Cards is a simple way to target articulation. Just click and drag the bright fireworks into the nighttime sky, revealing a new target word on each one!
PDF Activities
I love any activity that targets multiple goals. This interactive PDF (clickable navigation and buttons and fillable text boxes) targets associations, negation, inferences, synonyms, figurative language, and articulation.... not to mention all the relevant vocabulary included throughout. The ultimate download-and-go resource!
Google Slides™
Speaking of hitting multiple goals with one stone, check out these 4th of July board games! I have had so much fun learning how to use Google Slides™ this year, and this series of games was one of the first that I wanted to convert to this (new-to-me) format last summer!
As with all of the resources included in the bundle, the 4th of July set has 16 game boards to target both speech and language goals. The Google Slides version has moveable game pawns built-in, so just use a free dice or spinner website and you're set! A printable version is also included. Homework? Consider it done ✔️
Books
Search the following book titles/authors wherever you access digital versions of books (your local library, YouTube, websites, online stores, etc.).
The Night Before the Fourth of July by Natasha Wing
F is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison
God Bless America by Irving Berlin
Hats Off for the Fourth of July by Harriet Ziefert
VIDEOS
Fireworks (Simon's Cat) on YouTube is a cute and funny cartoon about a cat's reaction to fireworks going off outside.
This 6 minute video provides real images and a great explanation of why we celebrate the 4th of July.
This video shares 10 facts about Independence Day, as told my a kid!
Games & Activities
Primary Games has some great (and FREE!) 4th of July activities, including:
Online Fireworks Show is very fun and interactive.
Name That President would be perfect for any history-loving students!
Firework Puzzle can be differentiated to different levels.
U.S. Symbols Match Game is a 9-match memory game.
My go-to website for online coloring (thecolor.com) has several pictures available:
And here's a whole category of 4th of July images!
Articles & Activities For Older Students
This article on Newsela discusses where it (the 4th of July) all began- the signing of the Declaration of Independence!
National Geographic Kids also has an article on the history of the 4th of July.
ABCYa shares an Independence Day Word Search.
While not exactly specific to the 4th of July, this U.S. president personality quiz (National Geographic Kids) is tons of fun!
Just bookmark a few of your favorites above, and your speech therapy sessions will be booming with fun for the 4th 🎆 Have fun!
Find more themed therapy blog posts here, and be sure to add my FREE summer lesson plans to your Google Drive!
