Lesson S&L 15
Task: Use two-word sentences (noun—verb).
Prerequisites: S&L 7
Concept: Although some basic understanding of nouns and verbs is needed to address this issue, the skill level is not as high as will be expected from the future lesson of understanding verb concepts (S&L 17). Only a few verbs need to be understood by the student to teach this lesson, and these specific verbs are taught as a part of the sample exercise. Verbs by their very nature are usually abstract thoughts in that they denote action and not objects. Because the prerequisite skill of independently using single words (S&L 7) mainly deals with nouns, the main focus of this lesson is to introduce verbs.
Behavioral Objective: When asked to "tell me what is happening" during a specific activity or presentation of a picture, the student will respond with at least a two-word sentence that uses both a noun and a verb from at least five taught examples to a 90% accuracy level for 20 trials.
Materials: Objects that the student can identify and appear to be of interest or direct use to the student. Examples might be a ball, a spoon, a toothbrush, a favorite toy or possession, and a toy car.
Task Analysis:
1. Review with the student the ability to verbally identify each of the selected objects to be used in this lesson (S&L 7).
2. Take a nonbreakable and fairly small item, hold it before the student, and have the student verbally identify the name of the object. Let the item fall to the floor and ask for imitation of the phrase "(item) fall."
3. Continue Step 2, reducing the imitation request and replacing it with a prompt to "tell me what is happening." If the student does not respond correctly in 5 seconds, request imitation of the answer.
4. Expand the concept of Steps 2 and 3 to include other noun—verb phrases such as "car go" (using a toy car or observing one), "ball bounce," and "lift fork." Continue until the student answers without an imitative prompt.