This year at the annual TAAT conference Vicki Haddix and I held a presentation titled, “Implementing Core Vocabulary through Shared Reading and Writing.” In our presentation we discussed how to implement core vocabulary when engaging in shared reading and writing. We defined core vocabulary for the audience and demonstrated how to model it when engaging with an AAC user. Additionally, we provided examples of materials (i.e. books, websites) that attendees could use during their own therapy sessions. 

Here are some of the presentation highlights:

• Core Vocabulary can be defined as words and messages that are commonly used by a variety of individuals and occur very frequently (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013). Core vocabulary words chosen based on early language development research as well as frequency data (Beukelman, 1989; Banajee et al., 2003)

• Fringe vocabulary refers to vocabulary words and messages that are specific or unique to the individual. These might include names of specific people, locations, activities, or academic words (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013)

• For many students, there will be a subset of “fringe words” that are highly motivating for them personally. These words are referred to as “personal core words.”

• Core words can be modeled during shared reading. To model core words choose 1-2 core vocabulary words per page that are relevant to the story. It is important to provide the student with adequate wait time so that they may respond to the prompt. 

• Core words can also be modeled during shared writing activities. Shared writing is a writing process where students work with their instructor to construct a written text. The teacher acts as the scribe, while the student focuses on the content of the sentence. 

• Many ideas to help students with the mechanics of writing are available on this website: http://alternativepencils.weebly.com/

• “Publishing” a student’s writing and sharing it with an authentic audience can be a very powerful learning experience.

• Shared writing activities can include predictable chart writing, describing pictures, and using tarheel reader as a writing tool.

Books and websites that we recommend for shared reading: 

• The Bad Kitty series

• Taylor the Tooting Turkey

• Little Penguin gets the Hiccups 

• Dear Zoo

• The Pigeon Needs a Bath 

• There was an Old Lady That Swallowed Some Books

• No, David

• Pete the Cat 

• All Better!

• Tarheel Shared Reader-- this website has hundreds of books and AAC symbols at the bottom of each page. You can uses these symbols to model vocabulary and invite participation during the shared reading process

• Speech Without Limits Youtube Channel has 38 videos of AAC modeling with children’s books!

If you missed the 2020 conference and you would like to see some of the great presentations, you can register for the TAAT 2020 virtual conference on-demand videos to catch up on what you missed! 

Additionally, please consider sharing your knowledge around AAC and AT at the Tennessee Association for Assistive Technology Conference in 2021. You can submit a proposal at TAAT.org when applications become available.

Written by Emily Pierce