844 Search Results for core vocabulary
March 30, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
April is right around the corner, making this the perfect time to prepare some materials for practicing a new set of core vocabulary words. Rachael Langley is back to share some fun ideas for easy things to do to put that core vocabulary to work. She’s made two calendars, one with a focus word for each week and another one that covers many of the words in the April Year of Core Vocabulary list. These are great tools to print and share with classrooms or families. Click on the image to download the calendars or visit the Downloads sections of the eToolBox. Thanks for these great resources, Rachael!! Rachael has been working in the public schools as a speech-language pathologist for over 12 years. Currently working as an AAC Specialist in Mid-Michigan, Rachael tells us that she strives to spread the message about the importance of AAC and unlocking the communication... [Read More...]
March 9, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Vocabulary instruction and definitions generally go hand-in-hand. We’re used to creating learner-friendly definitions for the new words we teach, then using those definitions to introduce the word with focused language stimulation. In some situations, though, working with definitions is not the way to go. Here are some examples. Limited receptive skills: When we’re working with learners whose receptive vocabularies are very small, it can be impossible to define a new vocabulary term using only words that the learner already understands. Simone is a beginning communicator who is just starting to get the hang of symbolic communication. On a good day, she can pick out symbols for things that she wants to do (like play and eat) without any help at all, but following single step directions, identifying symbols, and matching them is more of a challenge. Giving her a definition for our new words, (open and big), isn’t likely to... [Read More...]
March 2, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
For the past 5 years, AAC practitioners have become increasingly invested in a core word approach to AAC intervention. Why spend valuable intervention time teaching words that relate only to one specific activity or environment when you could be teaching words that the learner can use all day long? Building competency with a robust base of 300-500 core words gives people the vocabulary they need to function in any environment. (Try that with AAC systems that are mostly nouns and action verbs!). How can we continually increase our clients’ competence with core words? A few years ago, we decided to approach this by focusing on 12-16 core words each month. Each month, we would highlight those words in our conversation (aided language input), direct intervention, and home programming activities with AAC learners. The repeated experiences with those 12-16 words helped the learners develop new skills, and kept the team focused... [Read More...]
February 3, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
The recent ATIA 2015 Conference in Orlando served as validation that core vocabulary is now a widely accepted practice in supporting language development with AAC learners. Presentation after presentation discussed the rationale, research support, and strategies for implementation. In 2013, we suggested that one way to help strengthen learners’ abilities with core words is to take a different set of 12-20 core words each month and focus on them for a few weeks. How? By modeling those words, making resource materials (like word cards with the symbols), creating activities in which those words figure prominently, posting them in the classroom/therapy room, reading books that have heavy use of these words, sharing them with families, write stories using them, etc. In this post, we share some sample sentences to model for our February 2013 and 2014 core words. The target words for this month are in CAPS. 2013 Year of Core again... [Read More...]
January 20, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Gone to an AAC conference presentation lately? Seen an AAC webinar? Read an article on AAC therapies? Chances are that they’ve at least mentioned some of the benefits of teaching core vocabulary. Teaching a relatively small set of powerful words is a strategy that empowers language learners and allows them to communicate across contexts. If you are following along with our A Year of Core Words (2013) or A(nother) Year of Core Vocabulary (2014), you may have printed out some of the word cards to use with the AAC learners in your life. Thanks to the kindness of PrAACtical AAC readers we have posts with a variety of resources: Minspeak/Unity version: 2013 PCS versions: 2013 , 2014 Speak for Yourself version: 2014 SymbolStix version: 2013 Once you have them, the idea is to use those to plan learning activities that focus on those particular core words for the month. Let’s... [Read More...]
January 15, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
It is so encouraging to see so many SLPs, educators, families, and others support the acquisition of core vocabulary. In this post, we’re thrilled to be sharing a resource by Alison Wade, an SLP from Massachusetts who works with a number of AAC-using children and adults. Alison generously offered to share this document with our 2013 set of January core words represented by PCS, SymbolStix, and traditional orthography. You can download it by clicking the image below or visiting the Download section of our eToolbox. Need ideas for how to use it? Check out our previous post. Thanks, Alison!
January 6, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for some ways to help your AAC learners become more competent in using core words? Here’s an approach you may want to try: Keep it manageable by choosing only a dozen or two core words to focus on each month. In previous years, we shared lists of some core words to help you do just that. 2013: A Year of Core (12 words/month) 2014: A(nother) Year of Core (16 words/month; Note: These are different than the core words covered in 2013) Those posts have links to downloadable grids with the core words for each month that can be used as a focal point for lesson planning. Rather than introducing new words at this point, let’s take some time to strengthen our core by modeling the words in everyday interactions. Here are some suggested phrases, sentences, and questions for each of the core words from our 2013 list. Click on the... [Read More...]
December 14, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Ready to dig deep on core vocabulary and learn more about studies done to support the approach? Check out these videos by Russell Cross from PRC and Elaine Holtham from Aroga Technologies as part of their AT with Beer series. Bottoms up! Trigger alert: Some articles use terminology that was accepted practice at the time they were published but are now considered unacceptable and/or offensive. Part 1 Part 2
July 2, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
One of our prAACtical friends will be getting an AAC device soon, so it got us thinking about customizing the SGD with vocabulary that he will want to learn and use. Core words are central, for most people who use AAC, but we always want to include the words that help them express very specific and personal experiences. There are several checklists and questionnaires floating around that can help identify the fringe vocabulary. Here are two of our favorites. Young children: AAC Team at Penn State University. School-aged Students: Lauren Enders and Laurie McGowan Do you have a vocabulary selection checklist or form that you like to use? We’d love to hear about it.
May 15, 2014
by Robin Parker -
About Teaching Core Words Teaching Core Vocabulary Core Vocabulary All Day Long 5 Things To Do If You’re Not Confident Teaching Core Vocabulary Joining Core and Fringe Vocabulary What’s The Connection: Visual Schedules and Core Vocabulary Core Words and the Curriculum Core Words, Direct Vocabulary Instruction, & The Beginning Communicator Core Vocabulary: Making Sense of Symbols More on Teaching Core Vocabulary Thoughts on Teaching Core Vocabulary Teaching Core Vocabulary with Direct Instruction Strategies Core Vocabulary- Specific Teaching Ideas PrAACtical AAC Core Words & July Fourth: Get Ready, Get Set, Go Cookies and Core August Core Word PrAACtice Ideas September PrAACtice With A Year of Core Words October PrAACtice With A Year of Core Words November Core Word PrAACtice Ideas December Core Word PrAACtice Ideas Core Word Vocabulary Words A Year of Core Vocabulary Another Year of Core Vocabulary The First 12: Getting Started With Core Words More on Core Words:... [Read More...]