Products (220)

Product # 60084 /ɹ/ Inventory: This inventory tool dives deep into various linguistic contexts for /ɹ/, including 7 facilitative contexts, R clusters, Vocalic R, and Dialect Phrases (both rhotic and non-rhotic). It's designed to be comprehensive, offering analysis in single words and phrases. Special attention is given to dialect-sensitive phrases, ideal for identifying non-rhotic dialects from regions like Eastern America, the UK, and Australia, ensuring a culturally sensitive approach to speech therapy. Our /ɹ/ Inventory is a comprehensive resource that explores the complexities of the /ɹ/ sound across various linguistic contexts. It includes analysis across 7 facilitative contexts, R clusters, Vocalic R, and dialect-sensitive phrases, making it a versatile tool for speech therapists. Designed for in-depth inventory, this tool covers both single words and phrases, allowing for a thorough exploration of /ɹ/ in different environments. What sets this inventory apart is its attention to dialectical variation. With specialized phrases that account for both rhotic and non-rhotic dialects, it’s perfect for working with clients from diverse linguistic backgrounds, including those from non-rhotic dialect regions like Eastern America, the UK, and Australia. This ensures your therapy approach is culturally sensitive and regionally accurate, empowering you to meet your clients’ specific needs. The /ɹ/ Inventory comes with a handbook download which include protocols for the Inventory. 

Bjorem Speech® 2-3 Element Clusters Complexity Approach Bundle Product #60104 Unlock the full potential of phonological therapy with the Bjorem Speech® 2-3 Element Clusters Complexity Approach Bundle. This comprehensive set combines three distinct decks, each focusing on either 2 or 3-element clusters, crucial for the advanced treatment of children with phonological disorders. Based on the groundbreaking work of Gierut in 2001, this bundle utilizes the complexity approach, a research-backed, evidence-based intervention strategy designed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of phonological remediation. Bundle Features: Comprehensive Coverage: Each of the three decks contains approximately 40 cards, meticulously designed to target complex 2 or 3-element clusters that challenge and advance children’s phonological skills. Evidence-Based Methodology: Embraces the complexity approach, which prioritizes the treatment of later-developing sounds and clusters, proving more effective than traditional sequential phonological therapy. Principles of Markedness and Sonority Difference: Utilizes two fundamental principles to drive phonological development: Markedness: Targets marked (more complex) sound classes to facilitate improvements in simpler, unmarked sound classes, enhancing overall speech clarity without direct intervention on each sound error. Sonority Difference: Employs a calculated approach by analyzing the sonority (relative loudness) of each sound in a cluster, aiding in the selection of targets that provide the most significant therapeutic impact. Benefits of Using This Bundle: Streamlined Phonological Improvement: By focusing on complex sound clusters, this approach accelerates phonological development, broadening and deepening the impact on the child’s speech system. Engaging and Effective: Each card is crafted to captivate children's interest, promoting active engagement and a high number of practice trials, essential for mastering complex phonological patterns. Versatile Application: Ideal for a variety of therapeutic settings, including clinics, schools, and home practice, making it a flexible tool for any speech-language pathologist’s toolkit. Ideal for: Speech-Language Pathologists seeking a comprehensive, research-based tool to enhance their practice. Educators and therapists working in special education who require effective, scientifically grounded resources for phonological teaching. Parents and caregivers looking for professional-grade materials to support their child’s speech development at home. The Bjorem Speech® 2-3 Element Clusters Complexity Approach Bundle is not just a collection of therapy tools; it's a transformative educational approach that makes phonological therapy more effective and engaging. By integrating this bundle into your therapeutic strategies, you can ensure a profound improvement in phonological disorders, equipping children with the clarity and confidence needed for successful communication. Explore how to integrate these decks into your therapy sessions and learn more about our advanced phonological tools by visiting www.bjoremspeech.com. With Bjorem Speech®, transform challenges into opportunities for significant speech and language growth.

2-Element Clusters for the Complexity Approach Deck 1 Purchase the 2-3 Element Cluster Bundle for a Discount Product #60102 General Product Description: Discover the transformative power of our Complexity Approach 2-Element Clusters Deck 1, a pivotal tool designed for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and educators working with children experiencing phonological disorders. This meticulously crafted deck is grounded in the complexity approach, a research-backed, evidence-based intervention strategy developed by Gierut in 2001. By prioritizing the treatment of later-developing, complex sounds and clusters for remediation, this innovative approach aims to effect a broad and efficient impact on children's speech systems, surpassing traditional methods that address each sound error individually.Product Features:- Target Clusters: Specifically focuses on 2-element clusters with a sonority difference of 3, including /fl/, /sl/, /fɹ/, /ʃɹ/, and /θɹ/, ensuring a focused and challenging intervention.- Target Words: Each cluster is supported by 10 target words, carefully selected to provide ample practice and mastery of each sound combination.- Complex Targets in Initial Word Position: All targets are positioned at the beginning of words, challenging children to address these complex sounds right from the start, facilitating improved articulation and phonological awareness.- Evidence-Based Approach: Aligns with the complexity approach, which emphasizes the targeting of marked (complex) sound classes to not only improve production of those specific sounds but also to indirectly enhance the production of simpler, unmarked sounds within the child's speech system.- Principle of Markedness and Sonority Difference: This deck embodies the foundational principles of the complexity approach, focusing on the treatment of sounds that exhibit a greater degree of phonological complexity and a significant sonority difference, thereby fostering more efficient and widespread phonological development.Why Choose Complexity Approach 2-Element Clusters Deck 1?- Research-Backed: Based on the pioneering work of Gierut (2001), this deck is grounded in solid, evidence-based research, ensuring that your therapy interventions are supported by the latest findings in speech pathology.- Efficient Intervention: By targeting complex sound clusters, this approach accelerates phonological development across a wider range of sounds, offering a more efficient path to speech improvement.- Enhanced Learning Experience: The deck's focus on initial word position challenges and engages children, making learning not just effective but also engaging and enjoyable.- Versatile Application: Ideal for use in a variety of settings, including one-on-one therapy sessions, classroom environments, and at-home practice.Empower your speech therapy practice with our Complexity Approach 2-Element Clusters Deck 1 and witness the remarkable progress in children’s phonological development. Leverage the principles of markedness and sonority difference to facilitate a more comprehensive and efficient improvement in child speech systems. Who Can Benefit: Speech-language pathologists looking for an effective tool for their practice. Parents and caregivers looking to support speech development at home. Individuals with speech disorders or difficulties, of all ages, aiming to improve their communication skills.  

2-Element Clusters for the Complexity Approach Deck 2 Purchase the 2-3 Element Cluster Bundle for a Discount Product #60103 Complexity Approach Two Element Clusters Deck #2: Navigating Clusters with a Sonority Difference of 4Dive deeper into the intricacies of speech therapy with our Complexity Approach Two Element Clusters Deck #2. This specialized deck is designed for speech therapists, educators, and parents committed to advancing the phonological skills of children with phonological disorders. It focuses on 2-element cluster targets with a nuanced sonority difference of 4, including 9 target words per cluster, featuring complex targets in the initial word position such as /sw/, /bl/, /gl/, /bɹ/, /dɹ/, and /gɹ/.Elevating Speech Therapy through the Complexity Approach:Based on the foundational work of Gierut (2001), the complexity approach is an evidence-based intervention strategy that has significantly impacted the field of speech therapy. It shifts the traditional focus from sequential, developmental sound error correction to prioritizing the treatment of later-developing, complex sounds and clusters. This approach is proven to facilitate broader and more efficient improvements in children's speech systems.Key Principles Underpinning the Complexity Approach:- Markedness: This principle differentiates sounds into *marked* (complex) and *unmarked* (simple) categories. Focusing therapy on *marked* sound classes helps children not only master these challenging sounds but also enhances their proficiency in producing *unmarked* sounds. This efficient strategy bypasses the need for direct treatment of each sound error, promoting faster overall speech development.- Sonority Difference: This approach involves analyzing and assigning numerical values to the sonority (relative loudness) of sounds within 2-element clusters, facilitating the calculation of sonority differences. For instance, the sonority gap in clusters like /sl/ is less significant than in more complex clusters such as /pɹ/, guiding the selection of targets for therapeutic intervention.About Complexity Approach Two Element Clusters Deck #2:Complexity Approach Two Element Clusters Deck #2 is a thoughtfully curated resource that supports the practical application of these principles. Each card in the deck is designed to challenge and engage children with phonological disorders through focused work on clusters with a sonority difference of 4. This selection includes clusters that are critical for mastering complex phonological patterns and facilitating significant speech system improvements.Perfect for therapy sessions, educational environments, or home practice, this deck is an essential tool for those looking to implement the complexity approach in phonological intervention. It provides a structured and effective pathway for addressing complex clusters, enhancing the impact of speech therapy, and supporting children’s journey toward clearer, more effective communication.Unlock the full potential of the complexity approach with our Two Element Clusters Deck #2. Empower your practice and make a lasting difference in the lives of children with phonological disorders by focusing on strategic, evidence-based intervention. Key Features: Educational and Engaging: This deck brings together education and interactivity. Variety and Versatility: The deck includes a wide range of 2-element clusters, covering various sound combinations. This versatility ensures that you can adapt the deck to meet the specific needs of your clients or loved ones. Clear Instructions: Our cards come with clear and concise instructions, making them easy for anyone to use.  Who Can Benefit: Speech-language pathologists looking for an effective tool for their practice. Parents and caregivers looking to support speech development at home. Individuals with speech disorders or difficulties, of all ages, aiming to improve their communication skills.

NEW! Now Available Product  #BSSC-MINI  Bjorem Speech has teamed up with The Speech Tree to bring you custom 2nd Edition Bjorem Speech Sound Cue mini objects. The highly sought after Speech Tree minis will bring the speech cues to life. Kids love having tangible objects and the ability to use them interactively. These mini objects are a must-have when incorporating the Bjorem Speech Sound Cues into your therapy sessions or lessons.  These are 43 different minis to match the 2nd Edition Bjorem Speech Sound Cues!  What's Included? 5"x7" canvas drawstring bag 43 mini objects that represent the Bjorem Speech Sound Cues Mini Sound Cue Reference Guide Minis are 25mm-35mm (1-2 inches) Mixture of PVC and resin depending on art and object Minis include the new bulldog / ɹ/, motorcycle / ɚ/, bug / ʒ /, cute kitty / ɔ/ and both the zombie and coughing camel for /k/ (all of these Bjorem Speech Sound cues will be available in the the NEW 2nd Edition Speech Sound Cues when they come out). For other minis visit https://www.speechtreeco.com/ CHOKING HAZARD: Contains small parts not for children under three years.  

3-Element Clusters for the Complexity Approach Purchase the 2-3 Element Cluster Bundle for a Discount Product #60101 Elevate your speech therapy sessions with the groundbreaking Complexity Approach 3-Element Clusters deck, a meticulously designed resource for speech therapists, educators, and parents. This cutting-edge deck includes 55 cards, each dedicated to mastering the intricacies of 3-element clusters in initial word positions such as /spɹ/, /stɹ/, /skɹ/, /skw/, and /spl/. With 11 target words per cluster, this tool is engineered to challenge and enhance the phonological development of children with phonological disorders.Product Features:- Comprehensive Targets: Focuses on complex 3-element clusters, providing 11 target words for each cluster to ensure thorough practice and mastery.- Initial Word Position: Targets are strategically placed at the beginning of words, presenting a challenging yet effective approach to articulation therapy.- Evidence-Based Methodology: Grounded in the complexity approach, developed by Gierut in 2001, this deck is built on a foundation of rigorous research and proven effectiveness in speech pathology.- Broad System-Wide Change: Ideal for children with some knowledge of the second or third sound in the cluster, promoting extensive phonological development across the child’s speech system.- Principles of Markedness and Sonority Difference: By targeting marked (more complex) sound classes, this deck facilitates not only the production of targeted sounds but also the improvement of simpler, unmarked sounds, all without direct treatment.Why Choose Complexity Approach 3-Element Clusters?- Targeted Intervention: Specifically designed to address the challenges of 3-element clusters, this deck empowers therapists to deliver focused, effective therapy.- System-Wide Impact: Leverages the complexity approach to induce broad, system-wide phonological changes, enhancing overall speech clarity and system development.- Engaging and Effective: With a variety of target words and complex clusters, therapy sessions become both engaging for the child and effective in achieving speech milestones.- Versatile Use: Perfect for a range of settings, from individual therapy sessions to classroom activities and home practice, making it a versatile tool in any speech therapy toolkit.Unlock the potential of effective speech therapy and witness transformative phonological development with our Complexity Approach 3-Element Clusters. By integrating the principles of markedness and sonority difference, this deck is not just a tool but a pathway to profound speech  improvements.

Product #00001 Unlock a world of playful interaction and expressive learning with our exclusive Pre-Sale Act IT, Say IT, Scan IT Bundle! For a limited time only, get all three NEW decks at a special discounted price. This bundle includes: Action Picture Cards: 7.25"x4.5" cards What Sound?: 4"x4" cards Exclamatory Words: 4"x4" cards These decks are more than just a set of cards; they are your gateway to enhancing early communication through engaging and dynamic activities. Incorporate these cards into your daily routines to create a fun and supportive environment that encourages children to explore and use new words confidently. Kids love the interactive QR code component on the What Sound? and Exclamatory Words AND you will find diverse and inclusive images throughout all three of these decks, making sure all kids feel included and seen.  Transform your teaching toolkit and make learning an adventure with the Pre-Sale Act IT, Say IT, Scan IT Bundle. Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer – grab your bundle today and watch children’s communication skills soar!

Action Photo Cards Product #60099: 7.25"x4.5" cards Are you in need of some updated action photo cards? These Action Photo Cards make this deck a modern, diverse, and inclusive educational tool, enhancing language therapy and learning across various settings. With the aim for every student to see themselves represented in the images, these cards are an exceptional resource for fostering language skills in children of all ages. Learn more about this deck straight from the author herself and earn 0.5 PDH for FREE while doing so! Click here to register. Key Features: Rich Content: The deck features 67 high-quality photo cards, depicting over 100 actions. Each card is carefully selected to represent a wide range of everyday activities and cultural experiences, ensuring broad applicability and engagement. Educational Goals: These action cards are an invaluable asset for teaching various language concepts, including verb tenses, pronoun usage, and sentence expansion. They are specifically designed to improve both receptive and expressive language skills. Inclusive and Diverse: Diversity is at the heart of this deck, with photographs that include children from various backgrounds, ensuring that every student can identify with the images and feel included in the learning process. Versatile Use: Ideal for use in language therapy sessions, classrooms, or home schooling, these cards can be seamlessly integrated into existing programs or used as standalone tools to enhance language development. Benefits: Enhanced Language Comprehension and Expression: By engaging with the cards, children can improve their understanding and use of language in a fun and interactive way. Cultural and Social Inclusion: The diverse representation in the photos helps promote inclusivity, teaching children to appreciate and recognize a spectrum of cultural and social contexts. Skill Development: These cards are not just for language skills; they also help in social-emotional learning by identifying and discussing various human actions and interactions. Why Choose This Deck: The Bjorem x Speech Stars Branding Action Photo Cards by Marcia Church are more than just educational tools; they are a step towards more inclusive and comprehensive language learning. They provide a foundation for children to expand their linguistic abilities while seeing themselves reflected in their learning materials. Get Your Deck Today: Add the Bjorem x Speech Stars Branding Action Photo Cards to your educational toolkit to enrich your language therapy sessions or educational activities. For more information and to purchase this essential resource, please visit Bjorem Speech® products page. This deck ensures that every session is not only educational but also a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, crucial for developing well-rounded and culturally aware individuals. Age range: 10 months-16 years old  

THIS IS NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY PRODUCT IN THE MAIL. THE DIGITAL PDF DOWNLOAD WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU AND IS AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL.  Product 20047 Meeting a new client for the first time? Rearranged therapy groups? Starting a new school year? These no prep, print-and-go All About Me Worksheets are a great way to learn about one another and to discuss speech and language goals.  ___ Want access to this download, our growing library of digital downloads AND monthly subscriber exclusives? Save today and get access to the Bjorem Speech™ Digital Download Library! Pay once and access ALL YEAR! Click here to check it out!

All Better Board Book with Reusable Stickers All Better! is an engaging and interactive board book by Henning Lohlein that brings a playful and comforting experience to young readers. The story follows a group of lovable animal friends who each experience a minor injury. With the help of reusable bandage stickers, children can “help” by placing the bandages on each character, reinforcing empathy, problem-solving, and nurturing behavior. The book promotes hands-on engagement, fine motor skills, and early language development in an exciting and meaningful way. Ideas for Using All Better! in Play and Learning 1. Speech & Language Development Expanding Vocabulary: Introduce new words like “hurt,” “bandage,” “fix,” and “better” while discussing each character’s injury. Action Words: Use words such as “stick,” “place,” “help,” and “heal” to describe what is happening. Sentence Building: Encourage children to describe the characters’ injuries and how they can make them “all better!” WH-Questions: Ask questions like: What happened to the dog? Who needs a bandage? Where do we put the bandage? 2. Social-Emotional Learning Empathy & Caretaking: Discuss how the animals feel when they get hurt and how we can help others when they are sad or in pain. Role-Playing: Encourage children to act out being a doctor, nurse, or caregiver and pretend to treat their own stuffed animals. 3. Fine Motor & Sensory Play Sticker Placement: The reusable bandages help strengthen fine motor skills as children peel and place them. Sensory Exploration: Let children touch and feel real bandages, comparing textures and discussing their uses. 4. Gross Motor & Movement Activities Pretend Play Bandaging: Provide real or toy bandages so kids can practice wrapping them around dolls or stuffed animals. Action & Imitation: Have children act out getting a pretend injury and helping each other “get better” by role-playing. 5. Multi-Sensory Learning & Creativity Crafting Bandages: Have children decorate paper bandages and place them on drawings of animals or people. Dramatic Play Corner: Set up a small doctor’s kit with toy stethoscopes, bandages, and play medical tools to extend learning beyond the book. This book is an excellent choice for toddlers and preschoolers, offering a fun and interactive way to build early literacy, social skills, and hands-on learning. 

THIS IS NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY PRODUCT IN THE MAIL. THE DIGITAL PDF DOWNLOAD WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU AND IS AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL.  Product 20035 These no prep, print and go letter craft sheets are perfect whether you are an SLP, teacher or parent. Have fun working on letter-sound correspondence while working on functional fine motor skills.  This resource includes: 26 craft pages for the letters A-Z ___   Want access to this download, our growing library of digital downloads AND monthly subscriber exclusives? Save today and get access to the Bjorem Speech™ Digital Download Library! Pay once and access ALL YEAR! Click here to check it out!    

THIS IS NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY PRODUCT IN THE MAIL. THE DIGITAL PDF DOWNLOAD WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU AND IS AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL.  Product Number 20040 Categories are like folders in your brain that help you make sense of the world. You might have a folder for animals, and in that folder, you might have subfolders for dogs, cats, and birds. This makes it easy to retrieve existing information and understand new, incoming information. Working on vocabulary in categorical contexts helps to facilitate learning of new vocabulary. This resource helps to scaffold category activities across a range of difficulty levels. Use the colorful animal vocabulary cards to work on skills such as describing and labeling. Then work toward more complex skills like sorting, generative category naming and comparing and contrasting. This resource comes with... 4 full-page colored, animal-themed sorting mats (farm, zoo, ocean, pets) 1 full-page colored sorting mat (all animal categories on one sheet) 40 colored animal sorting cards PLUS 13 no prep, print and go worksheets of varying levels and difficulty Level 1 - Expose and teach vocabulary in categorical contexts via errorless learning. Cut out the picture squares and glue them to the paper (e.g., glue the farm animals to the farm illustration). Level 2 - Differentiate between animal in different categories via dichotomous sorting. Cut out the picture squares and sort them into their respective categories. This can also be done with the larger, colored sorting cards and mats. Level 3 - Come up with examples of members of each category via generative naming. For example, name and/or draw 2+ animals that are members of each category. Level 4 - Work on higher level tasks via compare and contrast tasks. Choose two animals and compare and contrast their qualities and attributes. Want to work on writing? Use the compare and contrast graphic organizer as a scaffold or draft to write a compare and contrast composition. _____ Want access to this download, our growing library of digital downloads AND monthly subscriber exclusives? Save today and get access to the Bjorem Speech™ Digital Download Library! Pay once and access ALL YEAR! Click here to check it out!    

THIS IS NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY PRODUCT IN THE MAIL. THE DIGITAL PDF DOWNLOAD WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU AND IS AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL.  Product Number 20002 NEWLY UPDATED! I love using songs and animals in my therapy session. I have been using Birdie Birdie by Dr. Ann Watson for years by placing animals in a window stuck on the wall during therapy. We have created this Animal Songs with 5 scenes (airplane, tractor, bus, train, window) and a sheet full of animals and insects. You can pair a made-up song or our suggested songs. This activity works great in a group or one-to-one for speech targets, prosody, categories, early language, repetition, and so much more. Large prints: Plane Train Tractor Window Bus 24 animal images 3 songs that can be adapted Sounds suggestion page The animals can be resized to fit how you like in the different scenes.     Want access to this download, our growing library of digital downloads AND monthly subscriber exclusives? Save today and get access to the Bjorem Speech™ Digital Download Library! Pay once and access ALL YEAR! Click here to check it out!  

THIS IS NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY PRODUCT IN THE MAIL. THE DIGITAL PDF DOWNLOAD WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU AND IS AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL.  Product 20071 This bundle includes: Phonological Processes Reference This comprehensive reference chart includes phonological error patterns as reported by the following references: Bowen, C. (2011). Table 3: Elimination of Phonological Processes. McLeod, S., & Baker, E. (2017). Types of SSD in Children. In Children’s Speech: An Evidence-Based Approach to Assessment and Intervention. Peña-Brooks, A., & Hegde, M. N. (2015). Assessment and Treatment of Speech Sound Disorders in Children: A Dual-Level Text. Austin, TX: PRO-ED. This chart is detailed and includes both common and uncommon phonological error patterns, including reported age of elimination, if provided by the sources above (not all patterns have reported ages of elimination). This chart also includes notes and reminders to help the clinician when using this chart clinically, such as during an assessment. The chart is two pages (or a single page, front and back) and includes error patterns in the following categories: Syllable Structure, Assimilation, and Substitution. PMV Chart for English Consonants This graphic describes the place, manner and voicing for English consonants and vowels, utilizing the Bjorem Speech Sound Cue graphics. It can be printed and used as a quick reference, to help identify patterns of speech sound errors and more! It can be printed on a normal piece of paper or printed as a poster for reference. There are 2 pages in this graphic-- one page with the PMV and vowel quadrilateral and second page with a detailed glossary of terms, describing the terms on the graphic (e.g., place, manner, voicing, sonorant, obstruent, etc.) The folder includes a PDF version as well as JPEG versions. This is a comprehensive quick reference you will use time and time again. This is definitely one for your therapy toolkit! **This resource will download as a zip file. You must open the zipped folder to access the contents. If you need help doing this, see this article. English Consonant Development and Acquisition Chart This graphic depicts English consonant development and acquisition based on McLeod, Crowe & Shahaeian, 2015. It includes the corresponding Bjorem Speech Sound Cues for each of the consonant sounds. It can be referenced digitally or printed and used as a clinical quick reference. There are 3 versions included in this download. The 3 versions include the bulldog, truck and motorcycle graphic/cue for /ɹ/. This way, you can choose the cue that you or your child is familiar with. Types of Speech Sound Disorders Reference Need a quick reference to help you remember the different types of speech sound disorders (SSDs)? Or need a visual to help parents conceptualize new assessment results or diagnoses? This resource is for YOU! This resource is also perfect for explaining diagnoses and assessment results to parents and other stakeholders. ___ Want access to this download, our growing library of digital downloads AND monthly subscriber exclusives? Save today and get access to the Bjorem Speech™ Digital Download Library! Pay once and access ALL YEAR! Click here to check it out!