How We Begin Shapes the Year Ahead

This year our school-wide social emotional learning focus is REFLECTION. So as I reflect on how the first day with students went, I figured I would take some time to share some tips, tricks and freebies with you.

1. Rethinking the “How Was Your Summer?” Question

This is where an equity lens comes in. Not every child travels, has camp stories, or even enjoys their break. Some spend the summer waiting for school to begin again, looking forward to routine and the comfort of dependable adults who care for them.

As Claude Steele reminds us in his work on stereotype threat, even small classroom interactions can either reinforce a sense of exclusion or affirm belonging. A simple question like “How was your summer?” can unintentionally highlight differences in access to resources or family circumstances.

Rather than centering what a child may not have had access to, we can open the door for them to share what matters most to them right now.

This year, I heard a small but powerful shift in teacher language that really stuck with me: modeling consent. Instead of jumping straight to “How was your summer?”, try asking:

• “Do you want to talk about your summer, or would you rather share something else?”

• “Would you like to share something from home, or something from school?”

• “Do you feel like sharing today, or would you like to just listen?”

These small choices communicate big things: that students have agency, that their boundaries are respected, and that their diverse experiences are valid. In doing so, we create the kind of safe, reflective spaces that support both learning and belonging.

2. Scavenger Hunt Freebie

One way I like to ease students into speech therapy is by helping them get to know the therapy room itself. To make this fun, I created a scavenger hunt activity that students can complete during their first sessions. It’s hands-on, interactive, and totally customizable.

Here’s the link. Feel free to tweak it for your own space, students, and language needs. This little game sets the tone for exploration and fun while reinforcing routines in the therapy room.

Pro Tip: Circle and discuss key academic vocabulary like “search” and “mark”. Allow them to make choices by asking if they want to check, x or fill in the squares. Ask their opinion on whether or not they think the materials are located in a good space in the room. If they don’t think so, prompt them to make recommendations and explain why.

Therapy Room Scavenger Hunt

3. The Happy List

The simplest (and freest!) trick of them all: happy lists. I invite students to draw or write all the things that bring them joy. It doubles as a writing sample and becomes authentic material for future therapy sessions.

These lists are gold. They give you insight into what lights a child up, and you can circle back to these joys in future work (whether it’s weaving their favorite music into sessions, using their love of dinosaurs in a language goal, or just knowing what brings them comfort on a hard day).

Where We Begin Matters

Rules and routines are important. They set the expectations and help stop disruptive behaviors. But relationships must always come first. Every question we ask, every activity we plan, every choice we offer communicates something about the kind of space we are creating.

My hope is that these reflections and freebies help you start the year with intention. Here’s to a school year full of reflection, connection, and joy.