Core Words
"A solid set of core words will fit more situations than page after page of nouns. There is power in core communication" - Cough Drop AAC
What are Core Words?
Core words are the words that are most frequently used in one's language. Approximately 80% of the words we say are made up of about 250-500 words. Core words on SGDs are formatted and colour coded into different sections for nouns, verbs, questions, adjectives etc. Each brand of AAC devices represents language in a slightly different way.
When AAC users have access to core words, they are provided with a powerful tool to communicate whatever they want to say. Instead of relying on preprogrammed sentences, they are able to choose from a small set of words to create their own sentences. They can express a wider variety of ideas using that set of words.
Saltillo: Let's Teach Core
Let's Teach Core is a webpage from Saltillo that provides links to activities on how to teach core words. They provide links to 60 different words. Each core word page has information on "find," "introduce," "model," "encourage," and "expect."
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In the "find" section, it explains where to find it and what colour the background of the word would be.
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In "introduce" the section provides information on where to begin when teaching the new vocabulary word.
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For "model", the page provide some phrases you can use throughout the day to model the new core word.
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In "encourage" you will find books, songs, and activities surrounding the word you are focusing on
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In "expect" you will find ways in which you can expect your AAC user to be using the word independently
Below are examples from the pages "go" and "like."
Renfrew Education: Core Words
Renfrew Education has created a website that provides a core word curriculum. It is broken down into 10 months (for the academic school year) and in each month, it has 4 or 5 words to choose from.
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Month 1: go, stop, turn, it
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Month 2: more, finished, help, I
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Month 3: can, up, down, not
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Month 4: make, do, you, what
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Month 5: on, off, where, put, take
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Month 6: he, she, who, here
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Month 7: all, some, in, out, when
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Month 8: same, different, get, that
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Month 9: want, good, bad, like
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Month 10: look/see, why, open, close
Here is an example of what a page from their website looks like:
AssistiveWare: Core Word Classroom & Resources
AssistiveWare has created a Core word classroom. It is free but you do need to make an account to access all of their resources. Below are examples of the Core Word planner, the Core Word modelling guide, the Core Word of the week planning guide, the Core Word of the week display, and the Core Word 5-minute filler. I have provided links below to the example pages and on where to sign up. Below are the 5 minute filler and the Core Word of the week displays:
Liberator: Teaching Core Across the Day
Liberator created a document on how to teach core words across the day. In the 123 page document they discuss how to use the booklet, what core and fringe words, provide handouts on teaching core words, handouts on common activities to model core words, and goal trackers.
Core Word Bingo
EthustiastiAAC SLP on teacherspayteachers created an AAC core word bingo game. The words in the game are:
● Go
● Stop
● Want
● Eat
● Drink
● Open
● In
● Out
● On
● Off
● Play
● Like
● Yes
● No
● Bathroom
● Hello
● How are you
● Finish
● Awesome
● Read
● Look
● Put
● Help
● Turn
