Strengthening Student Language & Critical Thinking Skills with Hallie Sherman

Listen to the full episode to hear how to strengthen student language and critical thinking skills:

As a literacy expert, I always bring you strategies and tips that you can use in your classroom that bring your students success to their reading and writing skills. But sometimes, I love bringing on other experts to add to your teacher toolbox, especially when they bring a different perspective. 

That’s exactly what I’m doing on today’s episode. I have guest Hallie Sherman, a speech-language pathologist, who’s giving us insight and sharing strategies on strengthening student language and critical thinking skills.

Hallie Sherman M.S. CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist working full time in a public school in New York.  She currently works with 5th and 6th grade students but has experience working with preschool through high school.  She is also the CEO behind Speech Time Fun, Inc. where she helps SLPs working with older students plan with ease and confidence through her blog, TpT store, SLP Coffee Talk podcast and her SLP Elevate membership. 

Although Hallie works with students with language disabilities, these strategies can be used with any student who struggles with vocabulary, comprehension, and other language and critical thinking skills. Hallie explains what different literacy skills she works with students on and emphasizes how building a strong foundation is the key to long term academic success.

In order to be an effective reader, students need to retain a variety of skills, so if they’re lacking in certain skills, it’s going to hold them back. Therefore, by implementing these strategies that Hallie has provided us, it’s going to strengthen a students’ language and critical thinking skills, which is the ultimate goal.

In this episode on how to improve student language and critical thinking skills, we share:

• Hallie shares more about her role as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), particularly in a school setting and how it relates to classroom academics
• Why having a solid foundation first helps students find success in the long run
• How replacing a text with a visual or video can increase their comprehension
• Benefits of working alongside a SLP
• Explicitly teaching and modeling concepts provides students clear expectations

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Writing Made Simple Membership.

Connect with Hallie Sherman:

• Listen to Hallie’s Podcast SLP Coffee Talk
• Read her blog
• Follow her on Instagram
• Visit Hallie’s TPT store

Connect with Megan:

• Check out my TpT Store
• Subscribe to my E-mail list
• Instagram Posts
• Blog Posts
• Facebook Posts

About The Literacy Dive Podcast:

Do you find yourself seeking new ideas when it comes to literacy instruction in elementary classrooms? The Literacy Dive Podcast was created to offer actionable steps and to share information for teachers, like you, who are always looking to improve their craft! ELA is our jam and we are excited to dive into all things reading and writing with you!

Your host, Megan Polk, is the creator and owner behind The Literacy Dive and loves to support students and their teachers with curriculum, literacy instruction, best practices, and engaging literacy activities.

Dive in with us every Monday for a new episode from Megan! She, and her guests, will chat about various literacy topics and will bring you tips and tricks that can easily be implemented in your classrooms. You can tune in wherever you get your podcasts! Listen to The Literacy Dive Podcast on platforms like Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, and more!