No Prep Fall R Sound Activities for Older Students

Written By Rachel Schlichting

As summer fades to fall, it can be difficult to find ways to engage older students in articulation therapy. Many of these students have been in speech therapy for years and have already done the usual articulation apps and worksheets.

For years I struggled to find resources that didn’t include babyish clipart or cutesy fonts. Finally, I had had enough and decided to make resources that I could use with my middle school students. Below are some fall-themed articulation activities that they have enjoyed.

One Page Worksheets

Many of my older students already know how to say their targeted sound in isolation but need more consistent practice generalizing it to harder levels. These one page worksheets for R give students over a hundred opportunities to say their R sound in a short amount of time.

Each page includes:

  • 2 target R words for focused practice

  • 3 sentences containing both target words

  • 1 paragraph featuring where each target word is used at least three times

  • 2 conversation questions containing the target words and designed to encourage students to use the target words in spontaneous speech

Students can get over 100 reps of their R sound in a short amount of time.

Sentences for Mixed Groups

Reading single sentences is a great way for students to generalize their R sound after they’ve mastered saying it in single words. Have students practice reading the sentences slowly, then increase their pace to a more natural speaking speed. Each sentence in the product below includes at least one R, TH, S, or Z sound, making it perfect for mixed groups.

Have students read fall-themed sentences while playing any game that they enjoy!

Short Stories

It can be challenging to get older students to say their target sounds enough times during a single session. One simple and effective way to increase practice opportunities is through reading aloud. Reading provides natural opportunities to say target sounds while also supporting fluency and reading comprehension skills.

Using themed stories can make reading practice more engaging and fun for older students. Short stories are great for individual sessions, small groups, or even take-home practice to support carryover.

These fun fall stories each have over 100 R, Th, and S or Z sounds.

Free Word List

My students get bored of practicing the same R word lists week after week. Using a fall-themed word list can make students more interested in participating. There are many ways to use the words, such as having students say them while playing a game or asking students conversation questions about them.

Initial R:

  1. Rake

  2. Rain

  3. Relax

  4. Red

  5. Rusty

  6. Rolls

  7. Roast

  8. Roots

  9. Rustle

  10. Reap

  11. Reading

  12. Reunion

  13. Ripe

  14. Ride

  15. Rich

Vocalic R:

  1. Harvest

  2. Barn

  3. Gourd

  4. Cider

  5. Caramel

  6. Turkey

  7. Dark

  8. Butter

  9. Bird

  10. Acorn

  11. Scarecrow

  12. Carve

  13. Spider

  14. Tractor

  15. Yard

R-Blends:

  1. Crow

  2. Trick

  3. Frightening

  4. Bread

  5. Tree

  6. Mushroom

  7. Friend

  8. Brown

  9. Crisp

  10. Gray

  11. Trail

  12. Drizzly

  13. Branch

  14. Dry

  15. Treat

Rachel Schlichting
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