PrAACtically January: Resources for A Year of Core Vocabulary Words

• Taking down the Christmas tree
• Chilling a bottle of champagne
• Reflecting on New Year’s resolutions

Is it really possible that, in another few days, we’ll be saying goodbye to 2015? As we welcome another prAACtical year, it’s time to start preparing the materials we’ll need to model and teach core words to our AAC learners. Next week, we’ll talk more about the instructional methods to use with these materials. For now, though, our focus is on getting the word cards and other materials for the Year of Words (Set 1/2013; Set 2/2014) ready to use with the AAC learners in our lives. Thanks to the kindness of PrAACtical AAC readers we have posts with a variety of resources:

1. Minspeak/Unity version: Set 1/2013 
2. PCS versions: Set 1/2013 , Set 2/2014
3. Speak for Yourself version: Set 2/2014
4. SymbolStix version: Set 1/2013
5. Lesson Pix: Set1/2013

We are so appreciative for the support of Bill and Lori Binko, Heidi LoStracco, Alison Wade, Russell Cross, Gail Van Tatenhove, Eric Sailers, Rachael Langley, and others who contribute to this effort.

The 2013 January words are: again, all gone/all done, different, help, mine, more, not/don’t stop, that, want, what, you

The 2014 January words are: are, boy, but, clean, house, look, made, open, problem, see, slow, stand, to, wait, when, yes

Eager to get started? We can begin by modeling these words in sentences as we move throughout our day.

Reading is another way to get in some core word practice. Here are some suggestions for books that you provide lots of opportunities to emphasize the January words.

• Herman the Helper by Robert Kraus and Jose Aruego: again, help, that, what, you; are, boy, but, house, look, made, problem, see, slow, to
• A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle Crab: different, mine, not/don’t, want, what, you; are, clean, house, look, see, to, when, yes
• The Mitten by Jan Brett: again, help, more, not/don’t, stop, that, want, what, you; are, boy, but, house, look, made, open, problem, see, to
• More, More, More, Said the Baby by Vera Williams: all done, mine, more, not/don’t, stop, that, want, what; are, boy, but, clean, look, made, open, see, slow, stand, wait,yes
• It’s Mine! by Leo Lionni: again, all gone/all done, different, mine, not/don’t stop, that, want, what, you; are, boy, but, house, look, made, problem, see, to, wait, when
• Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss: different, that, you; boy, look, made, open, see, slow, stand, to, wait, when, yes

Have fun talking with AAC and stay tuned for more posts on how to teach core words.