Lesson S&L 6
Task: Correctly imitate words.
Prerequisites: S&L 2, S&L 4
Concept: Having acquired the ability to imitate sounds (S&L 2), the student is taught to build words using various sounds. The words selected should relate to the student's everyday environment, be one syllable in length, and be concrete objects such as cup, ball, hat, soap, teeth, shoe, and sock. Quality articulation or exact pronunciations are not requirements for completion of this task.
Behavioral Objective: When presented by the instructor with a one-syllable word from 10 samples, the student will verbally imitate that word to a 90% accuracy level for 20 trials.
Materials: At least 10 objects common to the student's environment that will represent one-syllable words. (See the concept section for some suggested words.)
Task Analysis:
1. Familiarize the student with a selected object by visually presenting it to the student while saying the one-syllable name of the item.
2. Using the student's sound imitation abilities (S&L 2), present the object and offer only the vowel sound of the word to the student for imitation. Continue this step until a 90% accuracy level is achieved.
3. Continue Step 2, adding the beginning sound of the word (if any) to be imitated. Use verbal prompting as needed.
4. Continue Step 3, adding the final sound or any remaining sounds to the imitation request.
5. Reduce all prompting other than the presentation of the word to be imitated.
6. Although mastery of Step 5 can complete the objective, additional words and words with two or more syllables can be introduced at this point.