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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Pre

9. Post

10. 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.

11. Sample Materials Used: Pre-Packaged
vocabulary/
vocabulary-with-direct-instruction-strategies/
to design your own books or find books using the core words.

12. Here is What you Can Find or Make

13. Here’s what an IA created

14. 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
Education Conference 2015 Resources/Strategies for Teaching Core Language/Strategies for Teaching Core Vocabulary Throughout the School Day.pptx
Vocabulary lists and checklists: