Lesson 6: Planning with Core Word of the Week

When teaching students how to use new vocabulary and new forms, (like AAC or core vocabulary), we need to be very explicit in how we do it. Teaching/emphasizing a specific core word is one way to ensure we provide lots of opportunities to practice throughout a day. Here is one example of how to explicitly plan out how you can incorporate a specific word within and across activities. 

Repetition, modeling without pressure, and noticing student attempts are all strategies to ensure consistency. 

Tina intentionally models the core word of the week during informal activities. For example, during arrival, Tina asks would you like to do a coloring sheet or read your book? At lunch, she says “I like today’s sandwich.” While cleaning up at the end of art, she asks “Would you like to put away the paper or the paint brushes?” When the student finally responds that she likes to go to the swings at recess, Tina encourages the student by repeating it.