AAC Language Lab

Target Vocabulary:

1. a
2. the
3. frog
4. balloon
5. flower
6. truck
7. whale
8. look
9. looking
10. I am
11. says
12. for
13. I do
14. like

Target Language Skill: using articles "a" and "the"

Suggested Objectives:

1. The person will use the words "a" and "the" appropriately.
2. The person will say the word "a" or "the" in sentences using 4 or more words.
3. The person will use the words "a" and "the" in spontaneous speech.

Teaching Activities:

A. Speaking

1. Model and teach the words "a" and "the."
a. Explain to the person that when the word "a" is used it can refer to any object. The sentence "I want a book" can mean the person wants any book.
b. Explain that the word "the" is used to refer to a specific object. The sentence "I want the book" means the person wants that specific book.
2. NOTE FOR UNITY 45 SEQUENCED: In Unity 45 sequenced there are not enough keys on the screen for the commonly used words "a" and "the" to be on a single hit key. The words "a" and "the" can be accessed through the sequences found on the smart chart but also by looking in the activity row as one is building sentences. To help the person communicate more quickly sometimes the words "a" and "the will appear in the activity row.
3. When you are speaking emphasize when you use the words "a" and "the" and explain their meaning. Also model this on the device.
4. When the person using the device is speaking encourage him/her to use the words "a" and "the" appropriately. Help him/her correct the use of "a" and "the" as necessary.

B. Reading

1. Download the teaching materials at the end of this lesson. Read the story. Focus on the words "a" and "the."
2. Review the meaning of the other words in the target vocabulary if needed.
3. In Part A of the story the words "a" and "the" will appear and be emphasized with a circle.
4. In Part B the story is reread and blanks are added so the person using the device can fill in the appropriate word. Stop and wait for the person to fill in the appropriate word.
5. Read with a focus on other target words, phrases and sentences as needed.

C. Writing

1. Connect the device to a computer with a USB cable or Bluetooth module. Let the person practice writing the target words into a word document.
2. Read the story again, and have the person write target phrases on the computer that use "a" and "the."
3. Talk about something that is interesting to the person - things he/she is looking for, something he/she wants to do, something he/she has done. Show the person how he/she can use the words "a" and "the" in his/her writing.

D. Generalization

Encourage the use of all target vocabulary words from this lesson in everyday speech.

© 2009 Prentke Romich Company
ams 08/14/09