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Core Board Chat Boost

colleen.poulin

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Core Board Chat Boost

Students will practice expanding single-word requests into two- and three-word utterances using a core vocabulary board during a 1:1 30-minute session.

Building on core vocabulary and expanding utterances boosts expressive language skills, increases student confidence, and lays groundwork for more complex communication.

Audience

Pre-K (Tier 3 Individualized)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Model, prompt, and reinforce expanded core-board utterances.

Materials

  • Core Vocabulary Board, - Picture Prompt Cards, - Reinforcement Token Chart, - Utterance Expansion Strips, and - Activity Timer

Prep

Prepare for Individual Session

10 minutes

  • Review the student’s communication goals and recent progress.
  • Print and cut out Picture Prompt Cards.
  • Set up the Core Vocabulary Board within the student’s reach.
  • Place Reinforcement Token Chart and tokens nearby.
  • Load a 5-minute countdown on the Activity Timer.

Step 1

Warm-Up Greeting

3 minutes

  • Greet the student at their level and encourage them to select a core symbol to say hello on the Core Vocabulary Board.
  • Sing a simple hello song, prompting the student to tap or point to “more” or “again.”
  • Provide positive reinforcement (token) for any attempt to use the board.

Step 2

Introduce Target Words

5 minutes

  • Show one Picture Prompt Card (e.g., juice).
  • Ask the student, “What do you want?” and wait for a single-word request.
  • Acknowledge their word, then model adding a second word on the Utterance Expansion Strips (e.g., “want juice”).
  • Show how to add a third word for more detail (e.g., “want more juice”).

Step 3

Model and Expand

7 minutes

  • Select another prompt card and say the single word first (e.g., “cookie”).
  • Point to the board to model “want cookie,” then “want big cookie”.
  • Encourage the student to tap the board after each model. Provide immediate verbal praise and a token for each expanded attempt.

Step 4

Guided Practice

10 minutes

  • Present 3–4 different Picture Prompt Cards.
  • For each card:
    • Prompt the student: “Tell me more.”
    • Offer partial verbal cues (“want…”).
    • Wait at least 5 seconds for student response on the Core Vocabulary Board.
  • Provide a token for each two-word request and two tokens for each three-word request on the Reinforcement Token Chart.
  • Fade prompts as appropriate, moving toward independent expansions.

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Reinforcement

5 minutes

  • Review the tokens earned and celebrate successes.
  • Encourage the student to select a favorite picture card and make a final request using at least two words.
  • Set a simple goal for the next session (e.g., “Try three words two times”).
  • End with a high-five or preferred sensory activity.
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Slide Deck

Core Board Chat Boost

• 30-minute 1:1 Tier 3 lesson
• Pre-K expressive language practice
• Expand single-word to multi-word requests using a core board

Welcome! This slide introduces the session topic and sets the tone. Briefly remind yourself that this is a 1:1 Tier 3 lesson focused on expressive language.

Learning Objectives

• Expand single-word requests into two- and three-word utterances
• Use the Core Vocabulary Board independently
• Build confidence for more complex communication

Share the specific targets for this session with any paraprofessionals or co-teachers present.

Materials

• Core Vocabulary Board
• Picture Prompt Cards
• Utterance Expansion Strips
• Reinforcement Token Chart
• Activity Timer

Quickly confirm you have all materials ready and within reach.

Warm-Up Greeting (3 min)

  1. Greet student and invite a board selection to say “hello.”
  2. Sing a simple hello song, prompting “more” or “again.”
  3. Provide a token for any attempt to use the board.

This warm-up builds rapport and primes the student for board use.

Introduce Target Words (5 min)

  1. Show one Picture Prompt Card (e.g., juice).
  2. Ask “What do you want?” and wait for a single-word request.
  3. Acknowledge and model “want juice” on Utterance Expansion Strips.
  4. Then add a third word (e.g., “want more juice”).

Introduce the first target in a low-pressure way. Model both two- and three-word utterances.

Model and Expand (7 min)

• Select a new card (e.g., cookie).
• Voice the single word, then point/model “want cookie,” then “want big cookie.”
• Prompt student to tap after each model.
• Offer immediate praise and a token for each expanded attempt.

Demonstrate how to expand utterances step by step and encourage mirroring.

Guided Practice (10 min)

  1. Present 3–4 different Picture Prompt Cards.
  2. Prompt “Tell me more.” Offer partial cue: “want…”.
  3. Wait at least 5 seconds for response on the board.
  4. Reward: 1 token for two-word requests, 2 tokens for three-word requests.

This is the core practice. Gradually reduce your support as the student succeeds.

Reinforcement Token Chart

• 1 token = 2-word request
• 2 tokens = 3-word request
• Collect tokens toward a preferred reward

Display and refer to the token chart throughout practice to motivate the student.

Wrap-Up and Reinforcement (5 min)

• Review tokens earned and celebrate progress.
• Student chooses a favorite card for a final 2-word request.
• Set goal for next session (e.g., “Try three words two times”).
• End with a high-five or preferred sensory activity.

Celebrate successes and set a positive tone for closure.

Next Session Goals

• Try three-word requests at least twice.
• Introduce new core words (e.g., “all done,” “help”).
• Track progress on communication goals.

Plan for continuity and home practice.

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Worksheet

Picture Prompt Cards

Print these cards and cut along each horizontal line. On each card, paste or draw the picture representing the word label. Use them to prompt the student’s single-word requests with the Core Vocabulary Board.

Juice








Juice

Cookie








Cookie

Ball








Ball

Apple








Apple

Milk








Milk

Car








Car

Snack








Snack

More








More

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Activity

Core Vocabulary Board

Use this board to support sentence expansion. Print, cut out, and laminate for student use. Place within the student’s reach during the session.

wantmorehelpall done
eatdrinkplaygo
stopheretherethat
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Worksheet

Utterance Expansion Strips

Print these strips and cut along each horizontal line. Laminate and use Velcro tabs or tape to attach corresponding core symbol cards in the blank cells. Use during modeling and guided practice to show how to build two- and three-word requests with the Core Vocabulary Board.

Two-Word Expansion Strips

| want | _____ |






| want | _____ |





| want | _____ |





Three-Word Expansion Strips

| want | more | _____ |






| want | more | _____ |





| want | more | _____ |





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Activity

Reinforcement Token Chart

Use this chart to motivate and track the student’s progress during the session. Print, laminate, and display within the student’s sight. Each time the student makes a two- or three-word request, they earn tokens to place in the boxes below.

How to Use

  • 1 token = 2-word request
  • 2 tokens = 3-word request
  • After earning all tokens, the student receives a preferred reward (e.g., sticker, small toy, extra playtime).
Tokens EarnedRequest Type
1Two-word request
2Three-word request

Place Tokens Here:

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Reward: ________________________

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