AAC Language Lab

Target Vocabulary:

this
that
these
those

Target Language Skill: The determiners "this", "that", "these" and "those" mark plurality and distance. "This" and "that" are words used to take the place of single items. "These" and "those" are words used to take the place of multiple items. "This" and "these" are used for items close to the person. "That" and "those" are used for items at a distance.

Suggested Objectives:

1.The person will request singular items that are close by saying the word "this", "want this" or "would like this".
2.The person will request singular items that are at a distance by saying the word "that", "want that" or "would like that".
3.The person will request plural items that are close by saying the word "these", "want these" or "would like these".
4.The person will request plural items that are at a distance by saying the word "those", "want those" or "would like those".
5.The person will direct someone's attention to singular items that are close by saying the word "this", "look this" or "look at this".
6.The person will direct someone's attention to singular items that are at a distance by saying the word "that", "look that" or "look at that".
7.The person will direct someone's attention to plural items that are close by saying the word "these", "look these" or "look at these".
8.The person will direct someone's attention to plural items that are at a distance by saying the word "those", "look those" or "look at those".
9.The person will read a book and locate/say the determiners "this", "that", "these" and "those".
10.The person will ask questions such as "what that?", "what is that?", "who that?", "who is that?", "what those?", "what are those?" etc.

Teaching Activities:

A. Speaking

1. This lesson presumes that the person is spontaneously saying one and two word combinations. Remember, people learn words both receptively and expressively. So concept development will happen while working on expressive language.
2.Obtain two small, clear canisters and two large, clear canisters. Label the two small canisters "this" and "that". Label the two large canisters "these" and "those". Place single motivating items in the "this" and "that" canisters. Place a few motivating items in the "these" and "those" canisters. Place the "this" and "these" canisters close by the person and the "that" and "those" canisters at a distance. Ask the person and point to the canisters as you ask, "Which would you like? This, that, these or those." Be sure to point to the symbol and text on the canisters. The person will respond with the words "this", "that", "these" or "those" or the above recommended two and three word combinations.
3.Place unfamiliar or weird objects in the above mentioned canisters. Have the person ask, "What this?", "What that?", "What these?" or "What those?"
4.Place pictures of people (familiar or unfamiliar, famous) in the above mentioned canisters. Have the person ask, "Who this?", "Who that?", "Who is this?" or "Who is that?"
5.During a cooking lesson place cooking ingredients in the above mentioned canisters. Ask the person what needs to come next. The person should answer with the single determiners "this", "that", these" and "those". For example, two eggs can go in the "these" canister. Chocolate chips can go in the "those" canister. Milk can go in the "that" canister.
6.During an art lesson place art supplies in the above mentioned canisters. Ask the person what they would like next. The person should answer with the single determiners "this", "that", these" and "those" or above mentioned two or three word combinations. For example, stickers can go in the "these" canister. Google eyes can go in the "those" canister. Glitter can go in the "that" canister. Person will request saying "those", "want those" or "I want those."

B. Reading

Have the person pick a book that interests them. Let him/her know that the purpose of reading the book is to locate and say "this", "that", "these" and "those" in the story. While reading the story together, every time one of these determiners is spotted prompt the person to say that determiner on his/her AAC system. Review the location of these determiners on the AAC system before you begin reading the story.

C. Writing

Create a cloze practice story omitting the words "this", "that", "these" and "those". Have the person fill in the missing determiners.

D. Generalization

Throughout the day, be on the lookout for times and places you can model these determiners. Remember, these are core words and we use them often. We request "give me that". We ask, "who is that?" We wonder, "Do you I want these or those?" We comment, "look at that". We say, "I'm down with that."

© 2009 Prentke Romich Company