Do worksheets have to be boring? In this solo episode, Hallie shares four easy ways to make worksheets more engaging for older students without adding a ton of prep or turning every session into a game. She explains how to pair worksheets with simple games, choose high-interest topics that connect to students’ lives, give them more choice in how they complete the activity, and use a simple white colored pencil trick to add an element of surprise. Most importantly, she reminds SLPs that the goal isn't to make therapy look fancy—it’s to help students feel successful, take risks, and see that learning can actually be fun.
Bullet Points to Discuss:
-Why it's okay to use worksheets with older students
-How to pair a worksheet with simple games like Jenga, dice, spinners, or cards
-Why getting the answer right shouldn't be the requirement for earning a turn
-Choosing high-interest, age-respectful topics that students actually care about
-Why background knowledge and reading level matter when choosing worksheet content
-Ditching the boring pencil and giving students choices with colored pencils, gel pens, markers, or dry erase sleeves
-The white colored pencil trick for turning a regular worksheet into a more interactive activity
-Why small changes can create more autonomy, engagement, and confidence
-Helping students see the speech room as a place where they can take risks and be successful
Here's what we learned:
- A worksheet doesn't automatically mean boring, and sometimes it's exactly what you need for data collection, classroom-based tasks, or quick sessions
- Pairing a worksheet with a simple game can make the activity more engaging without changing the therapeutic target
- Students don't have to earn a game turn by getting an answer right—the goal is to teach and support them toward success
- High-interest, age-respectful topics can make difficult language tasks feel more manageable
- Background knowledge matters because unfamiliar content can add another layer of difficulty
- Giving students choices about what they use to complete a worksheet adds autonomy without requiring extra prep
- A white colored pencil can turn an ordinary worksheet into a simple reveal-and-check activity
- The goal isn't to make therapy elaborate; it's to help students feel successful, take risks, and have fun while learning
Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:
📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/
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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
