Literacy
"If I could not express myself, I would become like the tree in the forest - the one for which it does not matter if it makes a sound when it comes crashing down, because there is no one around to hear it"
- Bob Williams, AAC user
ImpAACt Books
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When implementing ImpAACt books when working with students, we use a strategy called RAAP (Read, Ask, Answer, Prompt):
Read: Adults read the book and while doing so, they model two symbols on the AAC system/communication board. This provides aided language input. After reading, the adult will pause and wait for a response from the student. They look at them expectantly while providing a 5-second pause. The adult is hoping for an imitation of the 2-symbol utterance that was modelled when they were reading.
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Ask: The adult will ask the 'wh' question that is in the book by touching two symbols on the AAC system/communication board. This is also followed by a 5-second pause.
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Answer: If the student does not respond to the question on their own, the adult answers the 'wh' question and provides aided language input using two symbols to do so. This is also followed by a 5-second pause.
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Prompt: When needed, a 2-3 word prompt is provided (for example, “Your turn”)
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Chat Editor ​
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Chat Editor is a customizable vocabulary set based on Saltillo's WordPower/Touch Chat vocabulary set. It is available on a Windows device only. You can use it in a variety of situations in a classroom setting, such as reading a story, during core vocabulary, during math, and during circle/calendar time. The program is editable which allows you to add people's names, toys, activities, and other specific vocabulary you may want to model in your class. Please see the short video below that goes through Chat Editor and its early literacy books.
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How to download Chat Editor: Adding Voice to Chat Editor:
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Modified and Adapted Books​
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Adapted books are books that have been modified to have them be accessible to those who have disabilities. They can be adapted for those who use AAC, have visuals impairments (CVI), and for those who have cognitive delays. In the video to the right, I model how to use one version of an adapted book with a student.
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Paul V. Sherlock Centre on Disabilities in Rhode Island College created a resource bank of adapted literature and lessons to support individuals who have disabilities. In this bank, they have books with visuals, guides, movies, CVI books, and powerpoints. These images are some examples of the books available on their website.
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Modified Worksheets
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This video demonstrates how to upload images and modify worksheets using LessonPix. This video focuses on how to create literacy based worksheets for AAC users such a 'wh' comprehension worksheets and decoding worksheets.
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Jane Farrall Strategies
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Jane Farrall is a speech pathologist and special education teacher who is passionate about literacy, AAC and assistive technology. She has over 30 years experience in her field and is known for being a keynote speaker, running workshops, and for her website (www.janefarrall.com) where she provides courses, blogs, strategies and resources to support complex learners on their emergent literacy skills. One course is on comprehensive literacy for all. Please use the links below to explore some strategies on how to support complex learners in your classrooms.
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Predictable Chart Writing (PCW)​
Predictable Chart Writing is a type of shared writing that uses a multi-step approach. PCW works on word identification, concepts about print, communication, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. PCW is broken down into five steps:
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Step 1: Write the chart
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Step 2: Reread and work with the chart
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Step 3: Work with cutup sentence strips (or writing sentences)
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Step 4: Be the sentence through interactive activities
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Step 5: Make the book​
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Step 1: Step 2:
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Step 3: Step 4:
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Step 5:
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For more information, please check out Jane Farrall's and Literacy Instruction for All's websites below:
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PRC Literacy Planner​
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PRC Literacy Planner from Liberator Communications Canada is a planning guide which focuses on teaching 5-6 targeted words per month. The planner is designed to focus on students who are using speech generating devices (SGD) or other forms of AAC. Using a book-of-the-month, teachers will model the targeted language while working on writing, arts and crafts, sensory activities, music, and motor activities. There are QR codes available in the planner to bring you to different activities and resources. Each year a new planner comes out with new books. The past four planners are linked below:
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Tar Heel Reader​
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Tar Heel Reader is a free, online library of books created by its users. There is a library with a variety of topics which can be based on student interests and books can be created to specifically meet your students' needs. Each book can have speech output and be used on multiple interfaces, such as touch screens, the IntelliKeys with custom overlays, and 1-3 switches which allows them to be accessible for our AAC users. The first video provides more information on Tar Heel Reader and how to use it. The second video shows how to use Tar Heel Reader and Chat Editor together.