Lesson S&L 21
Task: Speak in a three-word sentence.
Prerequisites: S&L 15
Concept: The skill of using two-word sentences, probably in a noun—verb format (see the prerequisite), is expanded when this activity is successfully completed. The beginning format for achieving this task is inserting the word I or a or the, as appropriate, into the two-word sentence. Later activities in this effort will add names or adjectives to the phrases.
Behavioral Objective: When requested to describe a picture, object, or activity, the student will verbally make that description using at least three words that in at least 50% of the examples contain an adjective or proper name to a 90% accuracy level for 20 trials.
Materials: Pictures, objects, and activities that the student appears to enjoy.
Task Analysis:
1. Review the student's two-word sentence production skills (see the prerequisite).
2. Select a sentence that the student already produces and through imitation add an article (a, and, or but) or a pronoun (I, he, her) as grammatically appropriate as reasonable.
3. Continue Step 2 until the student no longer needs an imitative prompt to produce that type of three-word sentence. Introduce objects and materials that the student appears to enjoy and prompt sentence imitation based on those materials or actions.
4. Use the concept of Steps 2 and 3 to introduce the addition of adjectives to existing two-word sentences. If difficulties are encountered, it may be necessary to review color, shape, and size concepts with the student.
5. Use the concept of Steps 2 and 3 to introduce the addition of proper names in a way that shows ownership (e.g., "John's car rolls").