Speech and Language Targets for Stranger in the Woods

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Have you ever picked up the book Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick and wondered how you could use it in your speech therapy sessions as a busy school-based SLP? And not only that, but trying to determine speech and language therapy targets for your mixed group sessions?

No need to look any further! Here are 5 speech and language goals that you can specifically target using this book. Stranger in the Woods is one of my all-time favorite snowman and winter-themed books to use in my speech therapy sessions.

This beautiful book is full of real photos which makes it perfect for multiple ages including preschool through upper-elementary students. 

In the story, the forest animals wake up to find a “stranger” in the woods. The animals argue over who is the bravest and who should go see the “stranger” up close. 

The “stranger” ends up being a snowman with lots of different animal friendly foods on and around it including carrots and bird seed.

If you haven’t read it already, you should definitely check it out (even if you don’t end up using it for your speech therapy sessions!).

5 Speech Targets for Stranger in the Woods Lesson plan photo with the book cover

This book is amazing for targeting several different speech goals. Here are the top 5 speech and language targets for the book Stranger in the Woods:

  1. Stuttering/Dysfluencies
  2. R Blends
  3. Prevocalic Voicing
  4. Comparatives/Superlatives
  5. Tier 2 and 3 Vocabulary

Target 1: Stuttering/Dysfluencies

Several of the animals throughout the story exhibit stuttering episodes that are exacerbated by their fears and anxiety. 

Even though the animals don’t have a natural stutter like our students, it can still be a great way to start a conversation about the subject, especially in mixed groups.

Check out a few of the stuttering instances below:

  • Coo-coo-could that be him?
  • Check-check-check check’em out!
  • Howdy-dee-dee
  • Quietly just like a m-m-mouse!

Target 2: R Blends

This book is LOADED with R blends in the initial, medial, and final position of words. Because of all of the R blends, this book would be perfect, even with some of your mid- to upper-elementary students. Check out the list of some of the R blends words below:

  • Initial R blends - crisp, friendly, grow, stranger, strongest, trail, tree
  • Medial R blends - across, cardinal, evergreens, morning, twirling
  • Final R blends - antlers, birds, disappeared, first, scared, whispered

AND SO MANY MORE!

Target 3: Prevocalic Voicing

You can find TONS of initial voiceless consonants throughout the book which makes it ideal for targeting prevocalic voicing. There are over 100 words that begin with voiceless consonants including /k/, CH, /f/, /h/, /p/, /s/, /s/ blends, /t/, and voiceless TH. Find a list of some of the prevocalic words below:

  • Cardinal, carrot, chew, chirp, forest, hat, scared, snowman, tall, who

Target 4: Comparatives/Superlatives

Throughout the story, several of the animals try to convince each other that they are faster or the fastest. They also argue who is the biggest and strongest.

This is a great way to target comparatives and superlatives. You could even extend it to talk about additional animals or objects (like a car or an airplane) that would be even faster or bigger.

Target 5: Tier 2 and 3 Vocabulary

Find several higher level vocabulary words throughout the story. This is another reason why the story is also appropriate for older elementary age students. It also makes it perfect for mixed language groups. Some of the higher level vocabulary words include announced, chattered, encouraged, glimmering, munching, replied, scamper, etc.

While targeting the tier 2 and 3 vocabulary words, you can also discuss antonyms and synonyms. This helps students to make even more connections with their language skills.


Are there any additional speech targets in this book?

YES! There are TONS of targets which is part of why this book is incredible for mixed group speech therapy sessions.

Book Companion guide next to the book Stranger in the Woods

CLICK HERE to Check Out the Book Companion Guide!

➡️Check out this book companion guide to find a list of so many different targets you can find throughout the book, including:

  • Articulation
  • Apraxia
  • Phonological processes/patterns
  • Multi-syllabic words
  • WH questions
  • Verbs
  • Synonyms
  • Tier 2 vocabulary
  • Basic concepts
  • Story retell
  • Comprehension
  • Compare/contrast
  • Social skills
  • Predicting and answering inferencing questions

Check out the Stranger in the Woods Book Companion Guide by clicking HERE.


đź‘€Looking for some additional winter themed activities to pair with your book? Check out this blog post HERE. 

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