OLDER STUDENT LESSONS

Created by

Michaela Sullivan

and

Lindsay Dougherty

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Contact us at schoolyearofcore@gmail.com

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SYOC Lesson Example, Older Elementary to Transition

May: Weeks 1-2

Symbol Charts: TouchChat 60 Basic and LAMP and 45 SEQ, 84 SEQ

AAC Strategy of the Month: Participation Model/Participation Plans

Themes:

Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Cinco De Mayo, Climate change, recycling, thrifting, reflections of the year, planning for trips and the summer, new interests and hobbies, ways to relax, animals, and camping.

May- Strategy of the Month

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Participation Model/Participation Plans

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Once students begin utilizing their recommended AAC systems (whether low or high-tech), educational and therapeutic teams often focus on how and when such systems can be implemented and utilized meaningfully throughout the day. Sometimes teams create Participation Plans which can help guide and outline the process. The specific approach is as different and as unique as each communicator and the strengths and needs of the individual and the team must be taken into consideration to ensure that OPPORTUNITY BARRIERS, (usually imposed by the people in the environment) and ACCESS BARRIERS, (which can be related to the individual who uses AAC) do not deter progress. (Beukelman & Mirenda, 1988; 2013)

Symbol Charts for May Weeks 1 & 2 TouchChat 60 Basic

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Level 1

Level 2

Symbol Charts for May Weeks 1 & 2 LAMP

Level 1

Level 2

Symbol Charts for May Weeks 1 & 2 Unity 45

Level 1

Symbol Charts for May Weeks 1 & 2 Unity 45

Level 2

Symbol Charts for May Weeks 1 & 2 Unity 84

Level 1

Symbol Charts for May Weeks 1 & 2 Unity 84

Level 2

Shoutout to all who support communication in any form

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Please feel free to use, any, some or all of the following slides where you see fit to support your learners. The following slides work well as icebreakers at the beginning of your session/lesson.

Reflection time!

What did you think of this activity?

1. I loved it!
2. I liked it!
3. It was okay!
4. I didn’t like it!

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Shared Reading Suggestions

PAUSE

1. Provide students with choices of books and stories at or just above the student’s reading level.
• Books can be borrowed from the library or accessed digitally from online libraries.
2. After introducing the title and author of the book to the student, support students in exploring any pictures or artwork throughout the book.
• Use strategies, including aided language stimulation, wait time, expansion, recast, sentence frames (ex. “I see __.” ), asking questions, and modeling to support your student.
• Model core vocabulary using AAC, while speaking in phrases and in full, grammatical sentences.
3. Read the book with your student, pausing frequently to comment, pose questions and allow time for the student to comment on the story or images.
• At the end of the story, take time to reflect upon the story. Make comments and pose questions to the student about their impressions of the story and the character’s feelings.
4. Lead a discussion with your student about the story.
• Flip through the pages of the book, reviewing the events and your impressions, while modeling core vocabulary and providing frequent opportunities for your student to participate.
5. Do an art or music activity with your student that is related to the story and target vocabulary.
6. Lead a discussion, art, or writing activity relating elements of the story to the student’s real life experiences.

Step away from the computer screen to read together.

What is happening in this picture?

Where do you think they will go next?

Have you ever gone to the park? Tell me about it.

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More Shared Reading Suggestions

PAUSE

7. Take the opportunity to find and learn new words:

I. Explain the meaning of vocabulary words in context when reading

ii. Come up with synonyms and antonyms after reading and describing fringe words.

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8. Encourage students to make inferences & predictions when reading and from pictures.

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9. Talk about context clues when identifying feelings.

I. “How do you know they are happy/sad?” “What happened? Why are they so happy?”

ii. Have students reflect on a time when they may have felt these feelings.

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10. Talk about the ending of the story/book/article?

• At the end of the story, take time to reflect on it. Make and encourage comments and pose questions to the student about their impressions of the story and the character’s feelings. (e.g. Did you like the ending? Was it a happy or sad ending? Would you want it to end in a different way?)

For more information on other Shared Reading strategies, please click on this link from the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium

https://literacyforallinstruction.ca/shared-reading/

Let’s take a deeper dive into some of these strategies

We all communicate differently and in MULTIPLE ways. What tools do you use in your communication tool box?

Speaking

Memes/

Gifs/

Emojis

Vocalizations

Manual Signs/Key Word Signs

High-Tech Communication Device

Gesturing

Texting/DMing

Low-Tech Communication Boards

Facial Expressions

May hosts National Weather Observer Day!

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What are the different types of weather?

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What type of weather do you prefer? Sunny?

Rainy? Snowy?

Types of Weather

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0kNsYEMRjI&ab_channel=DiscoverealPh

Courtesy of DiscoverealPh

Here’s to National Comic Book Day!

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Do you like reading comic books?

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What is your favorite comic book?

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If you were a superhero what would

your power be?

National Comic Book Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s7c6HXHPGI&ab_channel=LegacyPlanningLawGroup

Courtesy of Legacy Planning Law Group

Let’s start out with a few jokes

1. Q: Which month of the year is the shortest?�A: May. It only has three letters.

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• Q: How can you tell the weather’s getting warmer?�A: There’s a spring in people’s steps.

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• Q: What’s the best flower for a boy to give on Mother’s Day?�A. A son flower.

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• Q: Should I plant flowers in April?�A: May as well

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Courtesy of Reader’s Digest, Meghan Jones 1/14/2022

Suggestions for utilizing the Positive and Negative Word Lists to describe their day.

• After encouraging the use of verbal speech or an AAC system, the use of vocabulary word lists could be utilized to support the growth of new vocabulary.
• Ask the student(s) if they feel good or bad about their day, (choosing the corresponding word list).
• If this question poses a challenge, have the student point to the “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” symbol to indicate a good or bad day.
• This is a long but not exhaustive list and it would be difficult to review in its entirety.
• Suggestion: have students choose a letter of the alphabet to review positive or negative words starting with the the chosen letter.
• If the student does not find a word that relates to their day, ask them to choose another letter.

Share a WORD to describe your day.

Negative Vocabulary Word List

https://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/negativewords.shtml

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Courtesy of Enchanted Learning

Positive Vocabulary Word List

https://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/positivewords.shtml

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Courtesy of Enchanted Learning

Self-Care Moment

# 6. How can we treat ourselves with kindness and care?

=Taking care of yourself and your needs

Do you think everyone should recycle?

Do you think recycling is good for our planet?

Do you think recycling should be free for everyone?

Do you think people should use reusable containers so we can stop using so much plastic?

Do you agree or disagree?

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Do you have the same or different opinions?

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Let’s have a peer-to-peer discussion.

TOPICS 6

Tell us a story

Insert pic

Insert a picture to evoke conversation. This approach can be used in individual or group sessions. Create WH questions based on the picture and co-construct narratives with your students. (Rice & Soto, 2009)

Let’s take a break for 2 minutes (Resources)

2 Minute Timer with Music - Funny/Cute Animal Edition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quNKXW3maPY

Courtesy of The Time Wizard

2 Minute Timer (DOG HEAVEN)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99nl9blaNuY

Courtesy of Timer Topia

[2 MIN BREAK] Sitting By Water Stream

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3teX3Aw8hwU

Courtesy of Daniel St.Pierre

Let’s take a break for 2 minutes (Resources)

2 Minute Radial Timer

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https://www.youtubeeducation.com/watch?v=IRVJopSUsdc

Courtesy of PHCuber

2 Minutes of Calm Nature Sounds 2 Mins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgO6nfNEf_4

Courtesy of The Meditation Station

Two Minute Break - Short Ocean Sounds Calming Waves

https://www.youtubeeducation.com/watch?v=6eRaI_fYbZM

Courtesy of IluminarStudio

What Topics or Interests do you like to talk about? Let’s see if any of you share the same ones?

Our Group Goals

[NAME OF GROUP] (e.g. cool cats) is working on:

List:

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Start your lessons here!

Welcome Back CLICK FOR FIREWORKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8Gt96pq58&ab_channel=RuneLilleeng

“Short fireworks show (FWSim)” by Rune Lilleeng

Learning new WORDS can be fun and interesting!!!

Image from Pixabay by

Clker-Free-Vector-Images

There are some wonderful holidays and themes we’ll be talking about this month!

Mother’s Day

Planning for summer

Reflecting on the school year

We’ll explore the worlds of wonderful creatures and new adventures!

Sea Creatures

Learning ways to relax with new interests and hobbies

There are also some terrible or difficult topics we will venture to talk about, like climate change, the need to save water and Memorial Day.

Climate change

Memorial Day

Saving water

And as always, we will learn about ourselves and our relationships through Social-Emotional Learning

Social & Emotional Learning

Self- Management

Decision- Making

Relationship

Skills

Social- Awareness

Self- Awareness

Communities

Families & Caregivers

Schools & Classrooms

Social-Emotional learning curriculum

School Culture

Authentic Participation

Learning Opportunities

Let’s learn and celebrate, together!!

There are so many words we can say! May Weeks 1 & 2

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LEVEL 1

now

ready

with

to

push

same

different

pull

There are so many words we can say! May Weeks 1 & 2

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LEVEL 2

few

above

really

below

through

uncomfortable

comfortable

many

Let’s say, ‘hi’ to each other and wave hello!

What did you do this weekend?

Student:

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Student:

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Ways we can use the word: few

ASK A QUESTION (e.g. do you need a few minutes?)

SHARE INFORMATION (e.g. I want a few)

NEGATE (e.g. that is not a few)

ASK FOR HELP (e.g. can you help me for a few minutes)

Ways we can use the word: many

REQUEST (e.g., want many, want many blocks)

DESCRIBE (e.g., many people, many animals)

SHARE INFORMATION (e.g., I have many toys.)

ASK QUESTION (e.g., How many?, How many pieces?, How many sisters do you have?)

Ways to relax and get your mind and body ready for the day!

What’s your favorite way to relax?

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“My favorite way to relax is ______”.

How to relax | 8 relaxation tips for your mental health

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyEdZ23Cp1E&ab_channel=Mind%2Cthementalhealthcharity

Courtesy of Mind, the Mental Health Charity

Can you think of a few ways to relax?….

Do you like animals?

What are your favorite animals?

Do any of you like the same animal/animals?

Let’s read a book called, We Love Animals.

We Love Animals, by Ian’s Class, Tar Heel Reader. (Please make sure to turn the speech on)

https://tarheelreader.org/2019/06/13/we-love-animals-3/

Click symbol to read book

Which sounds make you feel relaxed and comfortable?

Garbage Truck Sounds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw6vDXGGvgQ&ab_channel=AmbienceWorld

Courtesy of AmbienceWorld

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Sounds of Dolphins and Whales

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz1NCwXagYU&ab_channel=RelaxNightandDay-BeautifulNature%26Sounds

Courtesy of Relax Night and Day-Beautiful Nature

Sounds of a Shopping Mall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Hrh_4daro&ab_channel=NomadicAmbience

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Let’s read a book about Whales

Whales by Charna, Tar Heel Reader. (Please make sure to turn the speech on)

https://tarheelreader.org/2012/10/22/whales-5/

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Click symbol to read book

Let’s read a book called, Dolphins are Not Fish

Dolphins are Not Fish by Nathan Emerick, Tar Heel Reader. (Please make sure to turn the speech on)

https://tarheelreader.org/2021/10/24/dolphins-are-not-fish/

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Click symbol to read book

Are you ready to draw a dolphin or a whale

How to Draw a Dolphin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcpG81_Nd-4&ab_channel=HAPPYART

Courtesy of Happy Art

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How to Draw a Whale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3NNLAtTII0&ab_channel=MisterBrush

Courtesy of MisterBrush

Ways we can use the word: through

GAIN INFORMATION: Learning about others/environment (e.g. Did she go through the door?)

SHARE INFORMATION: Describe others/the environment (e.g. Walk through the garden to get to the house. We have school Monday through Friday.)

EXPLAIN: (e.g. Put the liquid through the strainer.)

COMMENT: (e.g. Wow, your pants are soaked through! He broke through the defense to score a goal.)

GIVE A COMMAND: (e.g., Look through the window to see if they’re here.)

Let’s write about something you’ve gone through this year!

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Think of anything, good or bad, that you’ve experienced or gone through.

This year I’ve gone through so much!

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One thing I’ve gone through is _______(describe what happened).

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I was with _________(person/people).

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I was at ________ (place).

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This happened __________ (when).

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This happened because __(reason why).

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When it happened, I felt _____(feeling).

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What I learned from this happening is ____________.

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Something I’ll take away from this is __________.

What else have you gone through this year?

Did you….

1. Go to a school rally?
2. Make a new friend?
3. Finish a big project?
4. Go on a field trip?
5. Try something new?
6. Get closer to any classmates?
7. Learn something brand new?
8. Gain a new hobby/interest?

Do you like to go shopping?

What about clothes shopping?

You can buy used clothing at a thrift store. What do you think about it?

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Thrift Stores are Underrated

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cKSQQKaF5yM

Courtesy of @JennyHoyosLOL

Are you ready to go to a thrift store?

Are you comfortable or uncomfortable with that?

How do you look through clothes when thrift shopping?

How to go Thrift Shopping Efficiently | Simple Thrifting Tips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9SU5cyFT1Y&ab_channel=OneDapperStreet

Courtesy of One Dapper Street

Ways we can use the word: above

ASK A QUESTION (e.g. is it above the shelf?)

SHARE INFORMATION (e.g. it is above)

DIRECT ACTION (e.g. put it above)

ASK FOR HELP (e.g. help me put it above)

Ways we can use the word: below

ASK A QUESTION (e.g. is it below the table?)

SHARE INFORMATION (e.g. it is below)

DIRECT ACTION (e.g. put it below)

ASK FOR HELP (e.g. help me put it below)

What do animals go through when they hibernate?

How Does Hibernation Work-Sheena Lee Faherty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xptpXSTtgSY&ab_channel=TED-Ed

Courtesy of TED-Ed

Let’s learn about habitats above ground!

What underground or above ground animals have you seen before?

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What is something you learned that you never knew before?

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7 Insane Bird Nests that Will Change How You Think About Birds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhWDCcBhxLQ&ab_channel=SciShow

Courtesy of SciShow

Let’s learn about habitats and animals below ground!

What underground animals have you seen before?

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What is something you learned that you never knew before?

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What's It Like to Live Underground?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoEqmnNI3AI&ab_channel=SciShowKids

Courtesy of SciShow Kids

“Put above the table”

Let’s place these where they belong!

Above or below the table?

“Put below the table”

Shout out!

Let us know when they are above or below the water!

“He is (above/below) water!”

“She is (above/below) water!”

“They are (above/below) water!”

Disney Music - Lava

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh4dTLJ9q9o&t=12s&ab_channel=DisneyMusicVEVO

Courtesy of DisneyMusicVevo

Ways we can use the word: same

COMMENT (e.g. Those are the same!)

QUESTION (e.g. Can we do the same thing as yesterday?)

DESCRIBE (e.g. That color is the same as my shoes.)

INSTRUCT (e.g. Use the same paper for your notes.)

Do these words have the same or different meanings?

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OR

OR

Relax, comfortable

Top, Bottom

Terrible, Wonderful

OR

Above, overhead

OR

Let’s listen to some songs with the word same!

Same Old Love

- Selena Gomez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h30Bx4Klxg&ab_channel=SelenaGomezVEVO

Courtesy of Selena Gomez

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Never Be the Same

- Camila Cabello

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph54wQG8ynk&ab_channel=CamilaCabelloVEVO

Courtesy of Camila Cabello

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Same Love

- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0&ab_channel=Macklemore

Courtesy of Macklemore

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Ways we can use the word: different

COMMENT (e.g. That’s different!)

QUESTION (e.g. Can we do something different?)

DESCRIBE (e.g. That color is different today.)

Ways we can use the word: uncomfortable

SHARE INFORMATION (e.g. that makes me feel uncomfortable)

ASK A QUESTION (e.g. are you uncomfortable?)

DESCRIBE (e.g. this is uncomfortable)

NEGATE (e.g. I’m not uncomfortable)

Ways we can use the word: comfortable

SHARE INFORMATION (e.g. I am comfortable)

ASK A QUESTION (e.g. are you comfortable)

ASK FOR HELP (e.g. help me get comfortable)

NEGATE (e.g. this is not comfortable)

Let’s look at the different animal habitats!

What is a habitat?

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What are some of the different habitats that

You saw?

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Why is one habitat different from another?

Exploring Habitats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIsgHW11nOs&ab_channel=NBCNewsLearn

Courtesy of NBCNewsLearn

What are some things you want to stay/do the same and what are some things you want to do differently this coming year?

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Go to school

The way you dress

Activities

The people you hang out with

The food you eat

Ways we can use the word: now

COMMAND (e.g. “Now!” [listeners perform action])

DESCRIBE (e.g. “Now she is eating”)

REQUEST (e.g. “I want crackers now”)

Fun facts about Mother’s Day around the world…

10 Fun Facts About Mother's Day Around the World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bGHLi5UJoA&ab_channel=MYXNews

Courtesy of MYX News

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List a few things you can do right now to show your appreciation for your mom?

Let’s listen to some songs with the word now!

Don’t Stop Me Now

- Queen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgzGwKwLmgM&ab_channel=QueenOfficial

Courtesy of Queen Official

Laugh Now Cry Later

- Drake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFm7YDVlqnI&ab_channel=DrakeVEVO

Courtesy of Drake

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Look at Her Now

- Selena Gomez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u-_64S7plI&ab_channel=SelenaGomezVEVO

Courtesy of Selena Gomez

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Ways we can use the word: ready

QUESTION: (e.g. Are you ready to go?)

DIRECT ACTIONS: (e.g. Let’s get ready, now.)

AGREE: (e.g. Yes, I think you’re ready for it?)

DISAGREE: (e.g. I don’t think I’m ready).

GET HELP: (e.g. I need help getting ready).

ANSWER QUESTION: (I’m ready).

Ways we can use the word: to

DESCRIBE (e.g. bring it to the room, let’s go to the mall)

ASK QUESTION (e.g. to where?, to who?)

ANSWER (e.g. he went to the store)

INSTRUCT (e.g. write a letter to mom, this is a pottery how-to)

SLANG (e.g. to game something - (to play or manipulate it))

What do you want to do this summer?

I want to _____.

Summer 2023 bucket list | 70 fun things to do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANuUNvteKaQ&ab_channel=advicebyangel

Courtesy of AdvicebyAngel

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Where would you want to spend time outside?

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Yosemite Joshua Tree Yellowstone

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I would go to _____.

I want to go to ____ .

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Need to Know

- Doja Cat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PT9D6Ke1eM&ab_channel=TrendingTracks

Courtesy of Trending Tracks

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To Be So Lonely

Harry Styles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAFJCu2BdCA&ab_channel=GibelleKit

Courtesy of Gibelle Kit

Talking to the Moon

• Bruno Mars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk9K032K7UM&ab_channel=TechnaRecords

Courtesy of TechnaRecords

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Let’s listen to a song with the word to!

Ways we can use the word: push

PROVIDE INFORMATION: (e.g. She helped to push the children’s wheelchair’s today.)

EXPRESSION: (e.g. Don’t push it.)

Ways we can use the word: pull

DESCRIBE (e.g. I pulled my friend up. She pulled up into my driveway.)

SLANG (e.g. Pull up to my house. (to go somewhere))

REQUEST (e.g. Pull me up.)

INSTRUCT (e.g. Pull out the drawer. Pull the weeds out of the ground. Pull the shopping cart to me. Pull it.)

Ways we can use the word: really

SHARE INFORMATION (e.g. this is really special)

COMPLEMENT (e.g. you are really awesome)

DESCRIBE (e.g. it’s really sparkly)

ASK FOR HELP (e.g. can you help really quick?)

ASK A QUESTION (e.g. oh, really?)

Mother’s Day (Kid Interviews)- really cute!

Mothers Day (Kid Interviews)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km4vp3Z7hPM&ab_channel=JamesPitkin

Courtesy of James Pitkin

What is really special about your Mom?

Word Banks:

Awesome

Great

Terrific

Fun

Wonderful

Caring

Smart

Strong

Brave

Beautiful

Curious

Generous

Organized

Do you think water is really important?

What is Drought

Understanding Drought

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXG5SaZCVNU&t=77s&ab_channel=BureauofMeteorology

Courtesy of Bureau of Meteorology

Why is saving water really important?

What can we do?

Here are 10 really great Water Saving tips

Top 10 water saving tips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J3cw4biWWo&ab_channel=DwrCymruWelshWater

Courtesy of DwrCymruWelshWater

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Students can create an affirmation list for themselves using the word, really, further reflecting on the year and how they have grown.

can create an affirmation list for themselves using the word really. Adults can support the student in coming up with some adjectives if they need help with this!

Here’s an example. This can be created in a group or individual basis electronically or as a paper-based, creative hands-on activity.

Let’s listen to some songs with the word really!

Never Really Over

- Katy Perry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEb5gNsmGJ8&ab_channel=KatyPerryVEVO

Courtesy of Katy Perry

I Really Like You

- Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oovZa4GVAx8&ab_channel=JustinBieber

Courtesy of Justin Bieber

Really

- Blackpink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RU7ah9_H38&ab_channel=anonlikes

Courtesy of anonlikes

Are you ready for the summer?

Comfortable emotions or Uncomfortable emotions?

There are emotions that feel good and are comfortable and there are emotions that cause discomfort. Comfortable emotions come from enjoyable activities while uncomfortable emotions come from activities or situations we do not enjoy.

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Let’s look at some emotions and situations and sort if it’s a comfortable emotion or an uncomfortable emotion. Discuss a time when you felt this way.

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Happy

curious

Failing at something

focused

embarrassed

10 ways to make traveling comfortable !

What are some things you will try from this video when you travel next time?

10 Ways to Make Flying More Comfortable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaRH7-HQBzk&ab_channel=NicoleRenard

Courtesy of Nicole Renard

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable

What do you think it means to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable”?

“I think it means __________.”

GET COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE - Steve Harvey Motivational Speech 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT5Dm4VbAos&ab_channel=InspoOnTheDaily

Courtesy of Inspo on the Daily

Let’s listen to some songs with the word uncomfortable!

Uncomfortable

- Andy Mineo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhJ76rWvlQo&ab_channel=ReachRecords

Courtesy of Reach Records

Uncomfortable

- Marlhy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PALHby4lBIs&ab_channel=Marlhy

Courtesy of Marlhy

Uncomfortable

- Wallows

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pG2VPXPITg&ab_channel=Wallows

Courtesy of Wallows