AAC Language Lab

Target Vocabulary:

1. I can
2. play
3. eat
4. read
5. help
6. go
7. drink
8. sleep
9. turn

Target Language Skill: Speaking in simple declarative statements.

Suggested Objectives:

1. The person will say the phrase "I can" to talk about what he or she is able to do.
2. The person will say the phrase "I can" in combination with another verb from the target vocabulary list to describe an action he or she is able to do.

Teaching Activities:

A. Speaking

1. Model the phrase "I can" on the device. Talk about the meaning of the phrase. Make sure the person understands the meaning of "I can"
2. Teach the concept of "can" as two meanings. Show a picture of a can of orange juice, or show a real can of juice. Explain that the word "can" can mean an actual can or it can mean that someone is able to do something.
3. Ask questions than can be answered by the phrase "I can", for example, "Who can say the word "read"? Prompt the person to answer with the phrase "I can." If the person answers with just the word "me", prompt him or her to use the new phrase.
4. Think about other things the person is able to do. Ask questions such as "Who can hear this?" or "Who can see me?" After the person is confident about using the phrase "I can", remember to ask questions several different times during the day so that he or she can answer "I can." Offer appropriate reinforcements.
5. Point out to the person that there are other pronoun/verb phrases that he or she can say. Model phrases like "I want", "I like", and "I feel" for the student. Provide lots of practice for these other phrases.

B. Reading

1. Read the support material Power Point slide show titled "What Can They Do?" with the person. Prompt the person to read the phrase "I can" during the first time through, giving appropriate cueing. As the person is able, ask them to read other words in the story.
2. Look for other reading books of appropriate reading level for the person. Make sure the phrases "I can" and/or "you can" are in the story. Read the book together. Let the person read the target phrases.

C. Writing

1. Connect the device to a computer with either a USB cable or BlueTooth module. Open a word document. Ask the person to write a sentence about what he or she can do.
2. Start a word document. Insert a graphic of the person doing some activity. Ask the person to write a caption for the picture that begins with "I can..."
3. Insert a picture of yourself into the document. Ask the person to write a caption for your picture. Begin the caption with "You can..."

D. Generalization

1. Explain and model other pronoun/verb phrases. Prompt the person to use other phrases at appropriate times. Offer reinforcements for correct uses of pronoun/verb phrases.
2. Play a game of charades with "I can" - The person says "I can" and then acts out the next word.
3. Let the person tell you what to do next by saying "You can" and then adding a verb. For example "You can go" or "You can stop." Encourage producing complete sentences.
4. In a group setting, the person may say a name first, and then add the phrase "you can..." to choose a specific person to do an activity. For example "Tommy, you can play." or "Katie, you can color." or "Sarah, you can go." Modify the game to be like Simon says. If the person says just the word "go" no one can go. If the person says "you can go" then the other person can go.

© 2009 Prentke Romich Company
vmc 08/21/09