AAC Language Lab

Target Vocabulary:

Noun + "s"

Target Language Skill: Produce plural nouns

Suggested Objectives:

1. The person will request a multiple of an item using a plural noun.
2. The person will describe a picture using a plural noun.
3. The person will count a number of items and state what they have using a plural noun.
4. The person will write a short story about a multiple of something using plural nouns.
5. The person will read a book and locate/say all of the plural nouns in the story.
6. The person will direct an art activity using plural nouns.

Teaching Activities:

A. Speaking

1. This lesson presumes that the person knows some nouns to say in singular form, and also knows about numbers and counting. Be sure that the person has the concept of more than one, and knows how to locate numbers and plural s before beginning these activities.
2. Have person request a multiple of a snack item. For example, if a person states they want cookie ask, "How many?" and require him/her to state, "3 cookies". Be sure to emphasize the "s" sound at the end of the word and model where plural "s" is located on the AAC system.
3. Present person with pictures with multiples of the same item. Ask person to describe the picture. You can use the carrier phrases, "I see ______" or "There are _______". Be sure to do one example yourself to model what you are expecting from the person.
4. Give the person a specific amount of the same item while working on counting. When finished counting, have the person state the quantity and item using the plural noun. For example, "I have 8 pennies." Note: AAC system will automatically handle most irregular plurals.
5. Have the person direct an art activity using plural nouns. For example, have him/her request "3 stars in sky", "2 trees in forest", or "4 wheels on bus". If when asked what he/she wants on the picture, the person states "star", respond with "How many?" and require the person to pluralize the noun, "3 stars". You can then go on to ask, "Where do you want them?" to facilitate "3 stars in sky". This way you can work on plural nouns and prepositions all at the same time!

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 all of the plural nouns in the story. While reading the story together, every time a plural noun is spotted prompt the person to say that plural noun on his/her AAC system. If the word can not be found in the system don't panic, simply point to the plural "s" at the end of the written word and say the word again emphasizing the "s" sound at the end of the word.

C. Writing

Using the writing process, have the person write a story about a multiple of something. For example, the main characters in the story could be three dogs. The title of the story could be... "Three Dogs Go To the Zoo" and the opening sentence could be... "One day, three dogs were very bored over the summer and they decided to go to the zoo." If your student is not ready to write an entire story, make up a cloze practice story where the student fills-in all necessary plural nouns.

D. Generalization

Be prepared for over generalization of plural nouns. For example, the person may say "one dogs" or "one cookies". Over generalization is a natural part of language development. Simply let the person know that if there is only one of something, it doesn't need the "s" at the end of the word. People often learn as much from their errors as they do from their correct responses.

© 2009 Prentke Romich Company
vmc 08/12/09