Do you Cariboo?

There has been lots of posts on social media about the Cariboo game. Many SLPs are searching for one as the game is out of print. You may be one of the lucky ones to find on on e-bay, garage sale, thrift store, from a neighbor, Amazon (for a ridiculous price) or packed away in your garage. Me? I was one of the lucky ones who paid 3.00 at a thrift store.

It sat in my cabinet at school for some time as I had (gasp) forgotten about it. I added some new balls and it was good to go. But wait! With all the buzz about the game there were ideas on how to use this game. A search on TPT brings up free and inexpensive cards to replace the original cards found in the game. The new cards can target a holiday, books, synonyms, antonyms…. Endless options. I added Halloween cards and all my students (K-4th) loved it and begged to play it again and again.  So we did but with a “twist.”  I stopped reading the clue cards and let them makeup their own clues. And so began my students’ Cariboo obsession and our growing collection of new cards.

 

I added a twist on how I place the new cards on the game. Sliding the cards in and out was taking too much time so I turned to one of my favorite tools- Alene’s tack it over and over glue. I often use this in place of Velcro.

 

 

Step one: Remove original cards and place a drop of the glue on each window and wait

Step two: Add new cards on each window and play

Step three: Disvover that the glue works BUT pulls off the doors- oops! The plastic doors + glue were not meant to be permanent friends. So…..

Step one: Place original cards back on each window and then place a drop of glue on the card and wait- I put the glue on the picture side but it might be better to turn the cards over and use the blank sides

Step two: Add new cards and play-  Success!! (The new game cards were laminated- the original cards were not.)

My 4th graders couldn’t wait to practice Multiply Meaning words. My “twist” was having each student choose a word and they could open the door if they knew both meanings. I removed the word only if they knew both meanings. If they could not think of a second meaning they could ask for a clue. One 4th grader asked for a clue for “change” after providing the meaning “change your clothes.” So I put my hand in my pocket and said “I’m jingling something in my pocket.” He guessed a mouse! Yeah we have some work to do yet. 😊

 

My 4th graders noticed the box cover stated the game was for 3-6 year olds. This made them laugh every time we played. It was like they had an inside joke.

While playing this game with two boys I had to tell them to “stop smelling their balls.” Yeah… it was one of those kind of days. 😁😳🙆

I predict Cariboo will be a go to therapy tool this year with lots of new twists!

Don’t be discouraged if you can’t find a Cariboo. Check out Activity Tailor’s ideas for Cariboo Alternatives:  Cariboo Alternatives

 

BONUS: Here are some cards to use when working on body parts. body parts    There are two pages one with the words and one without. I used the Custom Boards app to create these. Check out all Smarty Ears apps which are on sale during the ASHA convention right now!

 

Now it’s your turn to leave comments about your twists to Cariboo or another game.

Cindy

 

 

 

 

 

If you have missing parts to a sought after Cariboo game here are some ideas. I can’t take credit as many of these were posted by others at some point in social media.

Missing the KEY then try: golf tee, paper clip, pipe cleaner, pen tip

Missing the BALLS then try: Party areas at discount stores, Party America, dollar stores

UPDATE: I did redo the cards and put the glue dots on the backs of the oruignal cards and like this more. Also a inexpensive subscription to LessonPix is another way to make cards.

App review… ArtikPix Levels+

I use a lot of apps in therapy. I mean a a lot! I just traded in my iPad 2 64 gb for an iPad Air 2 128 gb. But I am still choosey about which apps I put on to use daily with my caseload at school and at the speech clinic. So this one of my “twists” in my blog this year is to post reviews of new or not so new apps that I use. Here is the first one as I climb off my procrastination wagon.

ArtikPix Levels+ is the newest app from Expressive Solutions created by Eric Sailers. I was lucky enough to receive a free copy to review for you (my disclosure). Note: This app requires an iPad running  iOS 7.0 or higher.

I would recommend watching the videos on the link above or below.Watching the video can help you fully appreciate and understand all this app has to offer. embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PenF6ClE_xs[/embed]

This  includes 1477 photographs that target 24 decks of sound cards. I was able to move from words to phrases to sentences and to paragraphs with a simple touch on the screen. The different options to practice make the app engaging and extend it’s use over multiple sessions. You may chose to use the word cards as flashcards, matching pairs (word level only) or pick and spin. Data is collected and saved for each session. You are also able to add your own content to personalize sessions.

The initial set up allows you to chose exactly what sounds and levels you want each student/client to work on. This can easily be changed in the edit mode.

Flashcards: This option is what is found on most articutlation apps. The photos change by touching the arrows. The choices of what level to work on is on the bottom- words to paragraphs.

Pick or Spin: This option can be used at the word, phrase, sentence and paragraph level. It is is similar to the flashcard level but with a “twist” or I guess I should say “spin.” The photos appear on a computer screen. You can choose to spin (for a new image) or speak (it speaks the words on the screen).

 

Matching: This is only available at the word level. When you initially set up your students/clients you can choose to have this at different levels of difficulty- easy, medium or hard. The picture below is set to the medium level with 3 rows of 4 cards. Easy is 2 rows of 3 cards and hard is 4 rows of 5 cards.

 

Create: This feature allows you to add your own cards. You can add an image from your own photo library or through a link to bing.

This app currently is in the app store for free with the TH deck and in app purchases for other sound decks: Free TH deck.

Here are a couple of  my “twists” for this app.

1. I always use my articulation apps with my fluency and language students/clients. They can practice fluency techniques and vocabulary skills.

2. I plan to make new decks specific to my students for social skills- in the group/ out of the group- think Super Flex ideas.

 

 Cindy

It’s another school year…. and some new ideas…. hopefully!

I’m back!

I don’t post much over the summer months. It’s a time for me to relax, unwind and enjoy the weather. In MN most schools start school after Labor Day. This year I was determined not to get worried about how many days until I had to go back. So I posted many pictures on Facebook with my feet up and enjoying my lunches and stating that I was still NOT counting the days.  It was a wonderful summer with friends, family a new puppy (Diesel). Even though we downsized two years ago we now have more people and animals (5 dogs, a turtle and a bearded dragon) staying with us.

Now I’m back with my school family and a routine. I miss my deck afternoons but am enjoying reconnecting with students and staff. And now that I’ve waited until November to finish this post we now have snow covering my deck, yard, and everything else!

I promised myself I’d get off this procrastination wagon and pay attention to my blog. So stay tuned for some new twists!

 

Cindy