Core Vocabulary

Core vocabulary refers to the small number of words that make up 70-90% of what we say on a daily basis. 85% of what we say is communicated with only 200 basic words and we call these our “core” words. These words are relevant across contexts and can have many meanings. Students in the SKILL class will participate in a variety of learning activities focusing on at least 1 core words each week. Students will be requested to use their communication devices during these activities, to practice how to use the core word verbally (in short phrases/complete sentences) and/or learn the sign for each core word. Although student expectations are individualized based on their communication needs, most students choose to use a variety of methods during our activities.

Each core word will be presented in a similar manner each week, including stories, songs, SmartBoard activities, hands-on games/play, independently creating sentences, and a class book. Students will also learn how to read and will practice printing each core word.

Below is a list of the core words that we will be focusing on during the first half of the school year. 

September       October          November         December
  more               want                 in                     do
   you                 go                    it                    here
     I                  like                 what                 open
  help                that                make                 play

First Week

It's hard to believe that we finished our first week of school this year! We were very happy to welcome four new friends in our classroom. They have been a great addition to our SKILL family. I am very grateful to have been able to meet with all of our new students and families before parent-teacher conferences later this month. 

We are slowly getting into our normal school routine and I am hopeful that the students will be ready for it within the next week. This week our class has been participating in various activities that allow me to discern skills and abilities including, each student's work stamina, learning retention after summer holidays, fine and gross motor skills and receptiveness to working in small groups with various adults. Next week as work expectation increase and the length of breaks decrease, I will be able to determine which activities may be presented as a large group or as in smaller groups.

As permission forms for the release of children's photographs come in, you will begin seeing photographs of what we are doing at school. Please complete and return the documents that were sent home this week as soon as possible.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome Back!!

I can't wait to see everyone bright and early next Tuesday morning. I'll be meeting the students on the buses. If your child will not be taking the bus, please wait for us at the front doors. If we are not at the front door, please have the office call our classroom and we will meet you and your child in the office.