At Cannon Elementary School, students opening the door to speech therapy this week are stepping into a glow-in-the dark mini golf course inspired by one of golf’s most iconic tournaments, The Masters.
Inside, the room has been transformed into a “Speech Masters” experience, where students build their articulation, language, literacy and fluency skills while bringing the excitement of the tournament that is described as a “tradition unlike any other.”
“The students' faces light up,” said Lily Harlow, the school’s speech pathologist. “They love any sort of fun activity and prefer it over me pulling something up and doing it on the board.”
In this classroom this week, learning is “par” of the course.
As students work on their individualized goals, the mini golf setup becomes part of the practice. For example, a student working on the “L” sound might repeat a word like ‘lion’ multiple times before earning a chance to putt.
“They get three shots to make the ball into one of the holes,” Harlow explained. “It gives them a fun incentive to reach their goal.”
Scores are tracked through the week, building excitement as students aim to improve their skills. At the end of the week, top putters will be recognized as “mini Masters champions,” although every student leaves her room with a golf-themed prize to celebrate their progress.
Harlow serves students from age three through fifth grade, often in small groups and with varying needs.
“You might have one student working on sounds, another on vocabulary and another using an iPad to communicate. It’s about finding ways to support all of them.”
Opening the door to find a theme is not something unexpected.
Throughout the school year, Harlow transforms her room into fun-themed activities. In March, it was basketball based on March Madness. Before Easter, eggs were hidden throughout her room. Now, it’s based on the legendary tournament, all with the purpose of inspiring students.
“It's just a fun way to practice our speech goals,” Harlow stated. “Hopefully, they will go home and tell their families, but most importantly, it’s to get them excited about their learning.”