Word of the Week Curriculum for Students Using AAC By: Kathleen Johnson & Kristine Gulla

Targeted Outcomes Target specific core vocabulary for a certain amount of time Streamline learning and increase functional communication using core vocabulary and AAC Increased functional communication across environment Increased teacher awareness

What are we talking about? Basic Core consists of the words we use across contexts, throughout the day By age two, 80% of what we say consists of core These are words such as want, need, see, have, yes, no, off, done, listen, come Fringe vocabulary refers to vocabulary that is more specific to a topic, environment, or individual Reference: Smolen and Helland – Strategies for Teaching Core Vocabulary throughout the School Day.

Aided Language Stimulation Aided language stimulation (ALgS) is a therapeutic technique in which the communication partner points out symbols on the communication display as she interacts verbally with the user.   The communication partner teaches the child language receptively before expecting the child to use language expressively via the AAC device.   MODEL-MODEL-MODEL! Reference: Smolen and Helland – Strategies for Teaching Core Vocabulary throughout the School Day.

Description Who: (from our own caseloads) SLS 4th grade (1) SLS K-1st grades (2) Elementary MDS (1) High School MDS (2)

Competency Development Method Researched the topic and selected core words and the students Explored the teaching techniques to use Teacher: pre-survey and post-survey Set-up folder with biweekly materials to be used across environments Assess usage during speech therapy and consulted with teachers

Evaluation Collected and reviewed the SLP and teacher data and observations - did the teachers like this approach via survey? Analyzed the results and discussed the implementation success and challenges. Looked for ways this could be implemented across programs. Looked for ways to share the information with other professionals - resources and our results.

Pre

Post

Results of Survey Pre-survey Post-survey 5/6 responses received Incorporating core vocabulary within classroom lesson: 4.7/10 (average) Modeling device use with the classroom: 5.4/10 (average) Summary of Results: Classrooms sometimes modeling & using core vocabulary in lessons, but not consistently throughout the day. Post-survey Incorporating core vocabulary within classroom lesson: 6.2/10 (average)—Increased! Modeling device use with the classroom: 7.2/10 (average)— Increased! Summary of Results: Increase in use of core vocabulary in both lesson plans and amount of modeling on SGDs.

Sample Materials Used: Pre-Packaged http://praacticalaac.org/strategy/teaching-core- vocabulary/ http://praacticalaac.org/strategy/teaching-core- vocabulary-with-direct-instruction-strategies/ http://tarheelreader.org/ to design your own books or find books using the core words.

Here is What you Can Find or Make

Here’s what an IA created

Expansion of professional learning community Strategy for the entire team of therapists, teachers, and staff to use to increase core vocabulary use across contexts in the classroom Resource list https://portal.bucksiu.org/ProfDev/Special Education Conference 2015 Resources/Strategies for Teaching Core Language/Strategies for Teaching Core Vocabulary Throughout the School Day.pptx Vocabulary lists and checklists: http://www.vantatenhove.com/papers.shtml