AAC Language Lab

Target Vocabulary:

1. I want to
2. I like to
3. I need to
4. I have to
5. go
6. get
7. play
8. live
9. see

Target Language Skill: Using to + a verb to state requests and preferences.

Suggested Objectives:

1. The person will say the phrase "I want to" to request preference of an activity, location or item. For example " I want to sing", " I want to go outside" or "I want to drink milk"
2. The person will say the phrase "I like to" to indicate a preference. For example "I like to paint".
3. The person will say the phrase "I need to" to indicate a need. For example "I need to sleep".
4. The person will say the phrase "I have to" to indicate a need of to engage in an activity. For example "I have to go to sleep".

Teaching Activities:

A. Speaking

1. Present shared background knowledge to the child regarding likes/needs/wants using infinitive complements. Some examples: "We read a fun story yesterday, I like to read. " "Today it is raining and look how wet we are, I need an umbrella." "There was a fire drill this week and we went outside, when the bell rings I need to go outside."
2. Model and teach other phrases that end in to + a verb. For example: "I want to see." "I like to play." "I need to go".
3. Encourage the person so speak in other whole sentences that end in to + a verb.
4. Call attention to peer speech when you hear someone else use a sentence that ends with to + a verb.
5. Take turns talking about what you like to do. Say "I like to sing. What do you like to do?" If the person answers with just one word, encourage him or her to answer with a complete sentence. Give appropriate reinforcements. If the person is able, let him or her ask the question. (Questions and question words are taught in stage 4).

B. Reading

1. Present purpose of the story that will be read to the child so they have knowledge of what to listen for. For example, "we are reading a story about a little boy named Tommy, listen to the story so that you can retell it".
2. Download the supplemental materials. Read the story about Tommy and the grasshopper to the person. The blanks are to prompt the child to answer questions using to + a verb (infinitive complement).
3. If he/she finds this activity to be to easy then remove the word list from the top of the page.
4. If he/she finds this activity to hard, use the second story which gives them just two choices for each blank.
5. If he/she has difficulty producing an infinitive complement you may model a sentence using an infinitive complement. Allow the child to try again.

C. Writing

Use this book as a template for the person to write their own story using their favorite animal, photos of classmates or themselves.

D. Generalization

1. Use this book as a template for the person to write their own story using their favorite animal, photos of classmates or themselves.
2. Use this book as a template to make a song board. To do this use a familiar tune along with picture sentence strips to sing. For example to the tune "Mary Wore a Red Dress" you can sing "I like to play ball, play ball, play ball. I like to play ball all day long". The student can choose a verb and noun icon to direct the song (i.e. play ball, sing songs, color pictures...)
3. Model using infinitive complements during "teachable moments". For example while setting up an art activity you may model "I want to paint"

© 2009 Prentke Romich Company
mcp 08/12/09