Home Screen Radar Slides Flight Manual: Module 01
Home Screen Radar
Mapping the core layout for automatic, high-speed communication.
The Mission
Current State
Searching for icons with your eyes slows down your message. It's like looking at the keys on a keyboard every time you type.
Visual Scanning = Slow
The Upgrade
Motor automaticity allows your brain to focus on WHAT you want to say, while your body handles the WHERE.
Motor Planning = Fast
Color Coding Your Map
Most AAC systems use the Fitzgerald Key to group words by category. Use these "color anchors" to find your path.
ORANGE
PEOPLE
(I, You, Me, Dad)
GREEN
VERBS
(Go, Like, Want, Eat)
YELLOW
NOUNS
(Home, Car, Cookie)
BLUE
MODIFIERS
(Big, Hot, Fast, Good)
Anchor Point Discovery
Top-Left
Usually social or pronouns.
Center
Often core verbs (the action hub).
Right Side
Often navigation or clear buttons.
Radar Challenge
Can you find your HOME , GO , and STOP buttons without looking at the screen?
3
Visual Seconds
0
Eyes On Screen
Grid Commander Teacher Guide GRID COMMANDER
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 1
Subject
AAC Motor Planning
Learning Objective
Students will analyze their AAC device's layout using spatial mapping and color-coding (Fitzgerald Key) to identify core anchor words without relying on constant visual scanning.
Required Materials
Student AAC Devices
"Blind Navigation Map" Worksheet
Post-it notes or screen covers
Colored markers/pencils
Pacing
45 MIN
5M: THE HOOK
15M: GRID ANALYSIS
20M: RADAR CHALLENGE
5M: DEBRIEF
Step 1: The Blind Hook
Ask students to locate their "HOME" or "GO" button. Once they have it, tell them to close their eyes or look at you, and select it again. Discuss why it's easy or hard. Introduce the concept of Motor Planning (knowing where something is without seeing it).
Prompt: "Professional typists don't look at their keys. Professional AAC users don't look for their core words. Today we start your training as a navigation pro."
Step 2: Decoding the System
Project a generic AAC grid. Identify the color clusters. Explain the Fitzgerald Key:
Orange: People/Pronouns (Who is doing it?)Green: Verbs (What are they doing?)Yellow: Nouns (What thing are they talking about?)Blue: Adjectives (What does it look/feel like?)
Have students look at their own devices and see if they follow this pattern. Note: Some systems differ—help them find their specific "anchor" colors.
Step 3: Radar Map Construction
Distribute the Blind Navigation Map worksheet. Students should color in the general zones on the worksheet that correspond to their device's layout. This physical act of coloring reinforces spatial memory.
Differentiation (High)
Have students identify 8-10 core words and their specific row/column coordinates (e.g., Row 2, Col 3).
Differentiation (Low)
Focus only on 4 corners and the "Home" button. Use high-contrast tape on the physical device bezel as tactile anchors.
Step 4: The Radar Drill
Call out a color or category (e.g., "Find a GREEN word!"). Students must select any word in that category within 3 seconds. Progress to specific words ("Find WANT"). Finally, try with a piece of paper covering the screen—can they hit the right area?
Pro Tip: Constant visual scanning is mentally exhausting. By building motor plans, you are helping your student communicate longer and more frequently by saving their "brain battery" for message content.
Blind Navigation Map Activity BLIND NAVIGATION MAP
Mission: Training your hands to find words without looking.
Pilot:
Date:
Instructions: Look at your AAC home screen. Color the grid below to match the category zones on your device. Then, pick 4 "Anchor Words" and mark exactly where they live on the map.
Screen View (Top)
Screen View (Bottom)
Color Radar Key
Orange = People / Pronouns
Green = Actions / Verbs
Yellow = Things / Nouns
Blue = Description / Modifiers
Anchor Points
Pick 4 words you use most. Mark them with a star (★) on your map above.
Radar Check-Off
Eyes Open Speed
Mental Map Ready
Blind Hit Success!
Speed Sector Slides Training Session: 02
SPEED SECTOR
Mastering selection accuracy and beat-the-clock drills.
Why Speed Matters?
Conversation Speed
Typical speech is 120-150 words per minute. AAC speed can be 5-15 WPM. Every second saved helps you stay in the conversation.
Brain Power
The faster you find the word, the less "working memory" you use. This lets you think about complex ideas instead of buttons.
FAST
is Fluent
Drill Protocols
Accuracy First
A "miss" costs more time than a slow "hit." Slow down to be smooth, then speed up.
Selection Method
Focus on your physical move. Touch, Switch, or Eye-Gaze: Make it decisive.
Data Log
Track your times. If you don't measure it, you can't improve it.
CORE BINGO
GO
WANT
LIKE
MORE
STOP
HELP
YOU
ME
When the teacher calls it, find it! Fastest hit wins the round.
00:30
Speed Sprint
How many UNIQUE core words can you select in 30 seconds? Ready, Set, GO!
Drill Sergeant Teacher Guide DRILL SERGEANT
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 2
Subject
AAC Speed & Accuracy
Learning Objective
Students will increase their selection speed and physical accuracy through repetitive, timed drills, using self-monitoring logs to track and visualize their navigational growth.
Drill Tools
Digital Stopwatch/Timer
"Speed Tracker Log"
Core Word Bingo Cards
Selection Method Aids
Pacing
5M: WPM ANALYSIS
10M: CORE BINGO
20M: THE 30S SPRINTS
10M: LOGGING & GRAPHING
Phase 1: Why Speed? (The Hook)
Discuss the "Social Gap." If it takes 2 minutes to say "I want that," the conversation may have moved on. Explain that we are training the body to be as fast as the mind.
Phase 2: Core Word Bingo
Call out words from the Bingo Word List (below). Students must find and select the word on their device. For Bingo, they can mark a physical card or just "hit and show."
WANT
GO
LIKE
STOP
MORE
HELP
I
YOU
AGAIN
NOT
LOOK
GOOD
Phase 3: The 30-Second Sprints
Run three 30-second trials. In each trial, students must find as many words as possible from a specific list. Record every hit.
Sprint A: Top Row Only
Focus on horizontal scanning speed.
Sprint B: Home Hub
Focus on the center 9 buttons.
Phase 4: Data Visualization
Students transfer their sprint scores to the Speed Tracker Log . Help them identify "Mis-hit Trends" (e.g., "I always miss the buttons on the far left").
Troubleshooting Mis-hits
Fatigue
If speed drops drastically after 15 seconds, focus on posture and positioning.
Scanning Lag
If eyes are jumping too much, mask non-essential buttons with "masking" settings.
Selection Delay
Adjust "Hold Time" or "Acceptance Delay" in device accessibility settings.
Speed Tracker Log Activity SPEED TRACKER LOG
Mission: Visualizing your navigational power gains.
PILOT:
Primary Selection Method
Direct Touch
Eye Gaze
Switch Access
Head Tracking
30-Second Sprint Results
Sprint Round Total Hits Mis-hits (Errors) Notes / Challenges 01: Warm Up 02: Speed Sector 03: Max Effort
Progress Graph (Hits Per Sprint)
25+20151050
R1
R2
R3
Warm UpSpeed SectorMax Effort
Post-Flight Analysis
1. Which area of the screen was easiest to hit fast?
2. What happened when you tried to go "too fast"?
Grammar Gearbox Slides Flight Manual: Module 03
GRAMMAR GEARBOX
Mastering the shifts: Navigating morphology and sub-menus.
The Grammar Shift
Root Words
The "Base" of your message. These are usually on your home screen.
GO
APPLE
Morphology
The "Shift" that changes time or quantity. These often hide in sub-menus.
WENT
APPLES
The 2-Step Sequence
1
Core Word
LIKE
2
Morph Tool
(-ED)
LIKED
Speed is found in the rhythm between these two hits.
Common Shift Symbols
+S
Plural
Cat → Cats
+ED
Past
Walk → Walked
+ING
Present
Play → Playing
'S
Possessive
Me → Mine
Shift Challenge
I will say a sentence in the PRESENT. You must navigate and change it to the PAST.
"I GO to school" → "I WENT to school"
Morphology Master Teacher Guide MORPHOLOGY MASTER
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 3
Subject
Syntactic Complexity
Learning Objective
Students will navigate the multi-step sequences required for grammatical changes (verb tenses, plurals) with increased speed, shifting from visual searching to rhythmic motor planning.
Grammar Focus
Verb Tenses (Past/Present/Future)
Noun Pluralization (+S)
Possessives ('s)
Comparatives (-er, -est)
Lesson Flow
1
Root Identification
2
The Rhythm of the Shift
3
Tense Shift Races
4
Fluency Mapping
Step 1: Locate the Gears
Every system is different. Help students find their specific "Grammar Buttons." Do they appear when a word is selected? Are they on a dedicated page? Identify the Visual Cue (e.g., a small arrow on the corner of a button).
Step 2: The Rhythm Drill
Model a "tap-tap" rhythm. Hit the core word, then the morphology button immediately. Practice this as a single motor movement rather than two separate thoughts.
Teacher Prompt: "Don't stop and think between the verb and the tense. It's one smooth motion. GO-WENT. LIKE-LIKED. FEEL-FEELING."
Step 3: Tense Shift Race
Read the "Present Tense" column below. Students must respond with the "Past Tense" as quickly as possible.
Call (Present) Target (Past) Navigation Path (Model) "I see a cat" "I SAW a cat" I → SEE → (Past Tool) → A → CAT "You play games" "You PLAYED games" YOU → PLAY → (Past Tool) → GAMES "She eats lunch" "She ATE lunch" SHE → EAT → (Past Tool) → LUNCH
Metacognition for 11th Graders
Discuss with students how grammatical accuracy changes the way people perceive their message. For 11th graders, being able to accurately describe past events or future plans is critical for college/job interviews and social independence.
Tense Shift Challenge Activity TENSE SHIFT CHALLENGE
Mission: Mastering the navigation paths of time and quantity.
PILOT NAME
1. Map Your Shift Buttons
Where do you go on your device to change a word? Draw the symbol or icon for each "Gear" below.
PAST TENSE (-ed)
PRESENT (-ing)
PLURAL (+s)
FUTURE (will)
2. The Navigation Sprint
Your teacher will say a word. You must find the morphology path as fast as you can. Mark your "Smoothness Score" (1-5).
GO → WENT
RHYTHMIC → STUTTERED
BOOK → BOOKS
RHYTHMIC → STUTTERED
WORK → WORKING
RHYTHMIC → STUTTERED
The "Flow" Test
When you shift between a core word and a grammar button, your brain has to work harder. How can you make this "Gear Shift" faster tomorrow? Write one idea below.
Sentence Circuit Slides Advanced Flight: Module 04
SENTENCE CIRCUIT
Connecting the dots: Building multi-word phrases with motor fluidity.
What is "Flow"?
Staccato Navigation
Find word. Pause. Search. Find next word. Pause. Search.
INEFFICIENT
Fluid Navigation
Moving from button to button in one continuous rhythm. Like a pianist playing a chord.
TARGET STATE
CONNECT
The Motion
Measuring Distance
Think about the PHYSICAL DISTANCE your hand or eyes travel. Every inch is time.
A
"I" → "WANT"
SHORT PATH
B
"YOU" → "GO"
LONG PATH
Can you find a shortcut?
CIRCUIT TRAINING
I
WANT
MORE
Practice this THREE-POINT TURN. Don't let your hand/eyes rest until the whole message is sent.
Observation Deck
Watch a video of a proficient AAC user. Notice how their hand/eyes never stop moving until the sentence is finished. That is the Flow .
[Teacher: Embed Proficient User Video Here]
Pathfinder Teacher Guide PATHFINDER
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 4
Subject
Motor Fluidity & Flow
Learning Objective
Students will analyze the physical efficiency of their navigation paths to construct 3-4 word sentences without rhythmic pauses, developing a "flow" between multiple screen areas.
Key Skill: Fluidity
Eliminating the 'search-and-find' pause between words. Treating a 3-word phrase as one single motor event.
Key Skill: Pathing
Finding the most direct physical route for the hand/eyes to travel across the grid.
Pacing: 50 MIN
10%: Video Observation (Proficient User)
20%: Single-Word "Stop-Start" vs "Flow"
50%: The Sentence Circuit Drills
20%: Path Mapping Activity
Step 1: The Concept of "Flow"
Watch a video of a proficient AAC user. Ask students: "Did they stop to look for buttons?" "How did their hand move?" Introduce the idea of Rhythm . A message should sound like a sentence, not a list of separate words.
Step 2: Distance Discovery
Have students find "I" then "MORE." Ask them to measure the physical distance (use a ruler or fingers) their hand travels. Now find "I" then "STOP." Which is faster? Discuss why button placement matters for speed.
Step 3: The Three-Word Circuit
Practice the following circuits. Students must not lift their hand (or look away) until all 3 words are hit.
Circuit A: Basic Needs
"I WANT MORE"
Circuit B: Social/Action
"YOU GO AWAY"
Circuit C: Feedback
"I LIKE THAT"
Circuit D: Request
"HELP ME PLEASE"
Navigation Optimization
If you notice a student consistently struggling with a 'long path' for a high-frequency phrase, consider discussing a button move or a custom "Quickfire" button for that specific student. Motor automaticity works best when the system is optimized for the user.
Phrase Flow Builder Activity PHRASE FLOW BUILDER
Mission: Mapping the shortest, fastest path for your favorite phrases.
Status: Pilot Grade
Date: _______________
Part 1: The Distance Test
Find these word pairs. Use a finger to trace the path on your device. Is it a SHORT jump or a LONG jump?
"I" → "LIKE"
SHORT
LONG
"WANT" → "COOKIE"
SHORT
LONG
"YOU" → "HELP"
SHORT
LONG
"GO" → "HOME"
SHORT
LONG
Part 2: Map a 3-Word Circuit
Pick a 3-word sentence you use a lot. Draw the path your hand/eyes take on this grid.
MY PHRASE:
Flow Score
The "No-Look" Challenge
Can you hit the first 2 words of your phrase without looking? Try it 5 times.
1
2
3
4
5
Mark "X" for success
Fluency Flight Slides Final Mission: Challenge
TIMED FLUENCY
Connecting speed, accuracy, and grammar into one fluent voice.
Mission Parameters
The 60-Second Sprint
Generate as many unique, grammatically correct sentences about a picture as you can in 1 minute.
Clock starts on first hit.
Success Criteria
3+ Words per sentence
Correct Verb Tense
Fluent "Flow" (Minimal pauses)
Challenge Prompt A
Scenario: The Park
Describe what is happening in this scene.
DOG RUNNING KIDS PLAYING
Managing the Pressure
When the timer is ticking, your brain might want to "panic search."
"Slow is smooth, and Smooth is fast."
Trust your motor plans. Your hands know where the words are.
🏆
Training Complete
You have upgraded your navigational radar, optimized your speed sector, shifted your grammar gearbox, and completed the sentence circuit.
You are a Communication Pilot.
Mission Control Teacher Guide MISSION CONTROL
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 5
Subject
Integrated Fluency Assessment
Final Learning Objective
Students will integrate spatial mapping, selection speed, morphological shifts, and phrase flow to communicate complex ideas in a timed fluency challenge, demonstrating reduced cognitive load.
Challenge Rules
Trial Length: 60 Seconds per picture/prompt.Sentence Minimum: 3 Words (e.g., Pronoun + Verb + Noun/Adj).Accuracy: Verb tenses and plurals must be correct.
Pilot Certification
Students who beat their previous WPM record earn their Navigation Wings.
Step 1: The One-Minute Sprint
Project the "Challenge Picture." Set a timer for 60 seconds. Students must describe the picture using as many distinct sentences as possible. Teacher: Record the total word count and the number of correct morphological shifts.
Step 2: Fluency Rubric
Evaluate the student based on the 4 pillars of this sequence:
1. Mapping
Did they hover or search? Or did they move directly to the zones?
2. Speed
Total WPM (Words Per Minute) during the sprint.
3. Grammar
Success rate of morphological shifts (+s, -ed, -ing).
4. Flow
Subjective measure of rhythmic production vs. fragmented speech.
Step 3: Debrief & Certification
Review the results with the student. Compare their Final WPM to their Lesson 2 "Warm-Up" WPM. Celebrate the progress in motor planning.
Beyond the Sequence
Automaticity isn't "done" after 5 lessons. Encourage the student to continue 'blind' navigation drills for 5 minutes a day during their morning routine. The goal is total subconscious control of the device.
Final Flight Challenge Activity FINAL FLIGHT CHALLENGE
Earning your Navigation Wings through speed and accuracy.
Pilot Certification ID
1-Minute Sentence Sprint
Record your sentences as you say them (or have your teacher scribe). Every sentence must be 3+ words .
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
Total Score
00
Words Per Minute
YES / NO
Grammar Correct?
YES / NO
Fluent Flow?
Flight Mastery Reflection
My Biggest Win
Hardest Shift
My Goal for Next Week
"Automaticity is my voice."
By completing this challenge, I have demonstrated that my hands and eyes can find the path to communication with speed and accuracy.
Certified
NAV
PILOT
