What are Core Words?

Core words are a set of words that are commonly used in everyday language and are considered essential for communication. These words are typically simple and have many meanings, making them necessary for understanding and expressing oneself effectively.

Why Are Core Words Important?

Core words make up about 90% of our everyday vocabulary. Students can build a foundation of essential vocabulary that students can be used to communicate effectively. Core words can help to improve language skills, enhance communication, and promote social interaction.

How Do I Teach Core Words?

Here are several strategies you can use to help students master core words:

Core Word of the Week

In my classroom, we introduce new core words weekly and call it our Core Word of the Week. I team up with my SLP and choose core words that go along with the unit we are learning that particular week or month. We choose a word to focus on for the week and use it repeatedly to help students learn the core word. 

One of the best ways to give students repeated exposure  to the core word of the week is through a read aloud. I choose a book that showcases our core word, and adapt the book to give our students multiple opportunities to read the core word. I have a video on how I adapt books here:

@theadaptedclassroom Adapted books make learning more accessible and help keep students engaged. The picture supports help facilitate the use of an AAC device! #AAC #adaptedbooks #specialeducationteacher ♬ Thirsty Smile – DJ BAI

Model

The easiest way for me to model core words is to actually wear a core word board and point to the core words as I talk. This low tech way is as easy as printing out a core word board, laminating it and wearing it around your neck like a necklace. If you need a FREE core word board to model with your students, I have you covered. Grab yours HERE

My SLP created a core word board for us that has 60 core words printed and laminated to use on voice output devices. I have the board displayed at the front of my room for easy access. I simply walk over to the board and record a message on the voice output device with the core word velcroed on the button.

The third way I model core words is on a tablet. We use Proloquo2go and the GoTalk Now app. The apps provide a robust language system to communicate. I simply point to each core word as I am speaking so that students understand that picture symbols have meaning.

Create Meaningful and Engaging Activities

Incorporate games and other fun activities into your teaching to make learning core words more engaging and enjoyable. Some fun game ideas for teaching Core Words:

• Red light Green light: Teach core words STOP and GO with a game of red light green light! Change up the rules a bit and tell students to move when you say GO and stop moving when you say STOP. Hold up the core word symbols as you say the words so students can associate the word and picture.
• Scavenger Hunt: Teach core words WHERE, THERE, HERE, and LOOK with a fun scavenger hunt. Get creative and hide items around the school for students to find. As you help students search, emphasize the core words by putting core word symbols on a voice output device, and have the students participate by saying, “Where is it?”, “There it is!”, “It’s over Here!”, “Look at what I found!”
• Sensory Field Trip: The possibilities are endless! You can bring the beach to the classroom and use sensory core words, LOOK, TOUCH, SMELL, TASTE, and HEAR, to describe the sand, water, and ocean sounds. You can bring a picnic to the classroom and explain the different foods everyone got. You can even go camping! Bring a tent, turn down the classroom lights, and gaze at the stars on the projector.
• Sports: Teach core words BIG and SMALL with a game of baseball, football, or soccer! Students can choose between a big or small bat big or small ball.
• Grocery Store: Teach core words IN and OUT by taking the students to the grocery store! You can turn your classroom into a grocery store by setting items on tables and labeling them at different prices. Students can move around the school with grocery baskets, put things IN the basket, and take them OUT at the cash register.

Make AAC Accessible

Keep your language systems out and open! I keep all my AAC devices low tech – high tech in the front of our classroom so I am reminded to use it daily! Making AAC accessible also ensures that you’ll provide repeated exposure to AAC systems and core words. The more you use the language systems, the more your students will too!

Conclusion

Core words are essential for communication and understanding spoken and written language. Mastering core words allows students to express themselves more clearly, understand others more efficiently, and build a foundation for learning more complex vocabulary. As teachers, it is crucial to focus on core words and use strategies to help students master them. By doing so, we can help students achieve success in language learning and communication.

If you would like to watch How I implement core words in my classroom, watch the YouTube video: