This month, I am sharing information about using core vocabulary to help our students with communication needs.
Have you ever wondered what these posters with pictures and words are around your school? These are our district’s universal core vocabulary boards!
Our special services department has had a core vocabulary initiative going strong for over 15 years! This initiative has turned into a game changer for our students who struggle with communication.
What is Core Vocabulary?
Core vocabulary words are all-day words. They are 80% of the words we speak, read, and write, so we make sure these words are available for our students to use as a visual guide for communication. Core vocabulary boards are our Tier 1 support for our students with communication needs. We have them in English, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish.
Click here for access to all district boards
Who can benefit from core vocabulary?
Core vocabulary is beneficial for any students who struggle with speech and language. We use these the most with our young learners, but students of all ages can benefit from having a visual support for communication. Especially when they are tired, frustrated, or have a communication breakdown. This quote from the PrAACtical AAC blog explains it well:
"There are many people especially with Autism that speak well, have college degrees, hold good jobs and are raising families who have significant difficulty talking when they are tired, sick, or stressed. Core boards and devices help them during these times. They then go back to speaking normally when they feel better.”
How does core vocabulary help our students?
The words on the boards always stay in the same place. Our students learn the motor plan for where the words are (like typing on a keyboard) for quick access. Core boards provide a visual support for language. Using boards helps our students see language, expand their vocabulary, increase their sentence length, and build their language. It can also help with receptive language.
What are the students using on the colored iPads for communication?
For our students who need more robust language support (AAC devices), the majority of our students use the app LAMP Words for Life on an iPad as our tier 2 support. This provides them with thousands of core and fringe vocabulary words as well as a voice output. Similar to the core boards, students learn the motor plan for the words for quick communication. To learn more about the LAMP Words for Life app click here to watch a short video.
What can I do to help support students with core boards and communication devices?
Print out core boards and post them in your classrooms, offices, and schools (see link above). Send them to our 220 Print Center to print regular and large-size card stock boards.
If you would like a portable, mini core board for your lanyard, email me, Kelly Key, and I will send one to you!
Talk to the students on the boards and devices. Point to the words while talking to the students. Make positive comments like “I like that” or modeling what you think they may be saying “You are smiling, I wonder if you are saying 'That is funny!'”
Email Kelly Key with any questions or additional training needs!
How does core vocabulary help our students?
The words on the boards always stay in the same place. Our students learn the motor plan for where the words are (like typing on a keyboard) for quick access. Core boards provide a visual support for language. Using boards helps our students see language, expand their vocabulary, increase their sentence length, and build their language. It can also help with receptive language.
What are the students using on the colored iPads for communication?
For our students who need more robust language support (AAC devices), the majority of our students use the app LAMP Words for Life on an iPad as our tier 2 support. This provides them with thousands of core and fringe vocabulary words as well as a voice output. Similar to the core boards, students learn the motor plan for the words for quick communication. To learn more about the LAMP Words for Life app click here to watch a short video.
What can I do to help support students with core boards and communication devices?
Print out core boards and post them in your classrooms, offices, and schools (see link above). Send them to our 220 Print Center to print regular and large-size card stock boards.
If you would like a portable, mini core board for your lanyard, email me, Kelly Key, and I will send one to you!
Talk to the students on the boards and devices. Point to the words while talking to the students. Make positive comments like “I like that” or modeling what you think they may be saying “You are smiling, I wonder if you are saying 'That is funny!'”
Email Kelly Key with any questions or additional training needs!
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