Vocabulary Map Worksheet Vocabulary Map
Lesson 1: Mapping Contextual Vocabulary
Name:
Date:
Your Mission
Look at the vocational setting below. Predict what words you will need to communicate effectively. Then, use your AAC device to find those words and record the "Navigation Path" (which buttons you press to get there).
Coffee Shop
"Imagine you are working at the counter. A customer asks for a large latte with oat milk."
Word/Phrase Needed Navigation Path (e.g., Food -> Drinks) 1. "Hello/Welcome" 2. "Size/Large" 3. "Milk types" 4. "Total cost"
Stock Room
"You are organizing shelves at a grocery store. You need to tell your supervisor the boxes are empty."
Word/Phrase Needed Navigation Path (e.g., Work -> Tasks) 1. "More" 2. "Finished/Done" 3. "Help" 4. "Where?"
Reflection
Which word was the hardest to find? Why?
Contextual Navigation Slides Navigator Mode
Mapping Contextual Vocabulary
The Silent Barista
[Silent Video Clip: Barista taking an order]
"What words do we need right now to participate in this scene?"
Greetings (Hello, Welcome)
Clarification (Size? Milk?)
Transaction (Total price, Card)
Prediction is Power
1. Think Ahead
Before you walk into a store or job site, stop and imagine: Who will I talk to? What will they ask?
2. Locate Quickly
The faster you find your words, the more natural the conversation feels. Knowing the Navigation Path is key.
Example: FOOD → DRINKS → HOT DRINKS → COFFEE
Building Your Map
Every word has a home. Today, we aren't just saying words—we are recording the journey it takes to get to them.
Your Mission
Open your Navigation Map Worksheet
START MAPPING
Vocabulary Mapping Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 1: Mapping Contextual Vocabulary
Vocational Transition
Instructional Objective
Students will predict contextually relevant vocabulary for specific community and vocational settings and identify the exact navigation paths (sequences of button presses) within their specific AAC software to retrieve these words.
Materials Needed
Contextual Navigation Slides
Vocabulary Map Worksheet
Student AAC Devices
Lesson Procedure
01
The Hook: Silent Observation (10 mins)
Play a silent video clip of a fast-paced vocational interaction (e.g., a barista, a grocery bagger, or a library assistant). Ask students to brainstorm what communication is happening.
Discussion Prompts:
"What is the employee saying to the customer?"
"What labels or categories in your device might have these words?"
02
Modeling Navigation Paths (15 mins)
Model "thinking aloud" while finding a word. Use the classroom screen to show a sample device layout.
Example: "I need to say 'milk'. First, I go to 'Groups', then 'Food', then 'Drinks'. My path is Groups → Food → Drinks."
03
Independent Mapping (20 mins)
Students work on the Vocabulary Map Worksheet . Circulate and assist students who struggle with categorization (e.g., deciding if "large" is under 'Sizes', 'Describing Words', or 'Numbers').
Support & Extension
For Students needing more support:
Provide a list of "Starting Folders" for each word so they only have to find the final 1-2 steps of the path.
For Students ready for extension:
Ask them to find two different ways to say the same thing (e.g., 'Hello' in Social vs. 'Hello' in Quick Chat).
Navigating for Independence | Module 1: Vocabulary Mapping Teacher Resource
Rapid Response Slides The Speed of Talk
Navigating Transactional Scripts
The 2-Button Challenge
NEW MISSION
Sometimes, we need to speak FAST.
"Think about ordering at a busy ticket counter. People are waiting behind you. How can you say what you need in as few hits as possible?"
1
Hit One
Open Folder
2
Hit Two
Speak Phrase
Finding the Shortcuts
Quick Chat
The folder for common greetings, 'yes/no', and immediate needs.
Social Scripts
Whole sentences saved for specific places (The Library, The Store).
"Did you know? Most devices have a 'Social' or 'Chat' button on every single page."
Find your shortcut button now!
Speed Situations
Movie Theater
"One student ticket, please."
Checkout Line
"No bags, thank you."
Bus Stop
"How much for the fare?"
Can you find these in 2 hits or less?
Your Efficiency Mission
Open your Two-Button Challenge Sheet
START CHALLENGE
Two-Button Challenge Worksheet Two-Button Challenge
Efficiency Drill: Lesson 2
Name:
Date:
The Goal
Find the phrases below using as few buttons as possible. Your challenge is to find them in 2 hits or less . Record your navigation path.
Scenario: The Bus Stop
"When is the next bus?"
Navigation Path:
Total Hits
Scenario: Busy Cafe
"I need the restroom."
Navigation Path:
Total Hits
Scenario: The Store
"No thank you, I have my own bag."
Navigation Path:
Total Hits
My Efficiency Hack
"If a phrase was taking 4 or 5 hits, is there a way to make it faster? Can you move it to your 'Quick Chat' or 'Social' page?"
Transactional Scripts Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 2: Navigating Transactional Scripts
Efficiency Drill
Transactional Script Bank
Use these scripts for guided role-play. The goal is for the student to respond within 5-10 seconds using their 'Quick Chat' or 'Script' folders.
Scenario A: The Bus Fare
Teacher (Driver): "Step up! Fare is $2.50. You got a transfer?"
Target Student Response: "I have a pass" OR "How much?"
Efficiency Goal: 2 hits
Scenario B: The Store Checkout
Teacher (Cashier): "That'll be $12.45. You want a bag for ten cents?"
Target Student Response: "No thank you" OR "Yes please"
Efficiency Goal: 1-2 hits
Scenario C: The Ticket Office
Teacher (Agent): "Next! What can I get you?"
Target Student Response: "One ticket please"
Efficiency Goal: 2 hits
Teaching Strategy: Modeling Speed
1. The "Wait Time" Constraint: Explain that in the community, people often wait only 5-10 seconds before becoming impatient. Practice "Wait Time" in class to build stamina.
2. Script Customization: If a student's device doesn't have a phrase they need, take 5 minutes of the lesson to program it together in their Social/Quick Chat folder. This builds ownership.
3. Visual Cues: If students struggle to find the path, place a small sticky note or a physical "hot spot" marker on the folder they need to hit first.
Navigating for Independence | Module 2: Transactional Scripts Teacher Guide
Workplace Navigator Slides The Workplace Pivot
Social vs. Task-Specific Communication
The "Pivot"
Social Markers
"How are you?" / "Thanks!" / "Good morning."
Folder: SOCIAL / CHAT
Task Vocabulary
"Where are the boxes?" / "I finished stocking." / "Need more tape."
Folder: WORK / VOCATIONAL
A single conversation at work often requires Pivoting between these folders.
Scenario: Supervisor Check-In
1
Social Start
"Good morning, Sarah."
SOCIAL FOLDER
2
Task Switch
"Are the shelves finished?"
WORK FOLDER
YOU
The Pivot
"Yes, Sarah. I am finished. Do you have more work?"
Professional Navigator Tips
Use the Home Button
If you get lost, go back to Home to find your main categories. It's faster than hitting 'Back' ten times.
Stay Categorical
Think in groups . Is this an action (verb) or a thing (noun)?
Ready to Role-Play?
Workplace Role-Play Cards Workplace Role-Play Cards
Lesson 3: The Pivot Challenge
How to Play
Cut out these cards. Pair up with a partner. One person plays the Supervisor and reads the script. The other person plays the Employee and must navigate their AAC device to respond.
Role-Play Scenario 01
The Situation
A Morning Greeting & Restocking Task
Supervisor Says:
"Good morning! Are you ready to start? Please take these boxes to the back shelf."
Target Employee Navigation:
1. SOCIAL: "Good morning. I am ready."
Role-Play Scenario 02
The Situation
Clarifying Instructions
Supervisor Says:
"Hey there. We need to clean the breakroom. Can you wipe the tables?"
Target Employee Navigation:
1. SOCIAL: "Sure. No problem."
Professional Navigator Form Professional Navigator Form
Self & Peer Evaluation
Evaluator:
"Being a professional communicator means using your device correctly and respectfully. Use this form to track how well the employee 'pivoted' during the role-play."
Skill Checklist Evaluation
Social Greeting
Did the employee start the conversation with a professional greeting from the Social folder?
|
Y
N
|
|
The Pivot
Did the employee successfully switch to the Work/Vocational folder to discuss the task?
|
Y
N
|
|
Communication Speed
Was the employee able to find their words within a reasonable amount of time (10 seconds or less)?
|
Zap = Fast
|
One Strength
Write something they did well...
Next Goal
What folder should they practice more?
Emergency Retrieval Slides Emergency Recall
Critical Speed & Accuracy
Seconds Count
In an emergency, your device is your LIFELINE.
"When you are scared or in pain, it's hard to think. We practice these paths so your fingers know where to go even when your brain is stressed."
0:05 Target Time
The Safety Folder
Emergency Page
Usually contains 1-button phrases for:
Call 911
I am hurt / sick
Help me
Self-Advocacy
Important phrases for daily safety:
I need a break
I don't feel safe
Wait for me
Drill Protocol
1
Listen
Hear the safety cue
2
Find
Navigate to the folder
3
Speak
Trigger the phrase
4
Record
Check your time
Can you find 'I need my medicine' in under 5 seconds?
Ready for the Drill?
Open your Safety Drill Tracker
START TIMING
Safety Drill Tracker Worksheet Safety Drill Tracker
Lesson 4: Rapid Retrieval
Name:
!
The Mission
Listen to the teacher's scenario. As soon as you hear the cue, navigate to the phrase as fast as you can. Record your time for each attempt.
Phrase to Find Attempt 1 Attempt 2 Fastest "I need help." "Call 911 / Police." "I am lost." "Where is my medicine?" "I need a break."
Speed Reflection
What was the hardest phrase to find quickly? Where is it located on your device?
Emergency Navigation Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 4: Emergency and Help Navigation
Rapid Retrieval
Drill Scenarios
Read these scenarios aloud. Students should not begin navigating until you say the "Action Word" (highlighted in bold).
Scenario 01: Medical Need
"You are working in the stock room and you start to feel very dizzy. You need to tell someone you are hurt ."
Target Phrase: "I am hurt" or "I am sick"
Scenario 02: Public Safety
"You are at the bus stop and you see someone who needs a doctor right away. You need to call 911 ."
Target Phrase: "Call 911" or "Police / Fire / Ambulance"
Scenario 03: Getting Lost
"You took the wrong bus and you don't recognize the street you are on. You need to tell someone you are lost ."
Target Phrase: "I am lost" or "I need help"
The "Flash Drill" Technique
1. High Stakes, Low Stress: Remind students that class is a safe place to fail. If they can't find the word in 10 seconds, stop the timer, find it together, and then reset and try again.
2. Muscle Memory: For critical safety phrases (like "I need help"), have students practice the navigation path 5 times in a row without looking at the screen, if possible.
3. Visual Anchors: Encourage students to notice if their safety buttons are a specific color (often Red or Yellow). This visual anchor helps them scan the screen faster under pressure.
Navigating for Independence | Module 4: Emergency Navigation Teacher Guide
Town Square Simulation Slides Town Square Simulation
The Ultimate Navigation Challenge
Final Mission
The Big Mission
Today, our classroom is a Town . You have a "Passport" and a series of tasks to complete.
"To get a stamp at each station, you must navigate your device to communicate professionally and accurately. Can you travel through town independently?"
Passport
Your Town Tour
The Market
Task: Buy a snack and ask about the price.
Folder: TRANSACTIONAL
The Office
Task: Greet a boss and ask for a job task.
Folder: THE PIVOT
The Clinic
Task: Report a medical need quickly.
Folder: EMERGENCY
Navigator Rules
1
No Prompting: Try to find the folder yourself. If you get stuck, look at your "Map" worksheet.
2
Context Check: Remember where you are! Adjust your vocabulary to the station.
3
Finish and Stamp: Once you say your phrase, get your passport stamped by the Station Master.
4
Social Ending: Don't just walk away! Always end with a "Thank you" or "Goodbye."
Town is Open!
Grab your Passport and your Device.
Enter Simulation
Town Passport Activity Town Passport
Navigator Class of 2026
Photo
Student Name
Market
Your Mission
"Buy a drink and ask for a receipt."
Phrases Used
Stamp Here
Office
Your Mission
"Greet Sarah and ask for your next task."
Phrases Used
Stamp Here
Safety
Your Mission
"Find a person and say: 'I need help, I am lost.'"
Phrases Used
Stamp Here
Independence Achieved
Congratulations on navigating your community!
Simulation Facilitation Guide Simulation Guide
Lesson 5: Town Square Simulation
Culminating Project
Classroom Station Setup
Station 1: The Market
Focus: Transactional Efficiency
Place some snacks/drinks on a desk. The "Shopkeeper" (Teacher/TA) should act slightly hurried to encourage fast navigation.
Station 2: The Office
Focus: Social vs. Task Pivot
The "Supervisor" should initiate a social greeting first, then immediately pivot to a work-related question about organizing folders or trash.
Station 3: The Clinic
Focus: Rapid Emergency Recall
The "Nurse" should present a safety situation (e.g., "Oh no, you look like you are lost!") and require the student to use their safety page.
Facilitation Tip
"Have a rubber stamp or unique stickers ready for the Passports. The physical reward of the stamp is highly motivating for this age group."
Final Assessment Criteria
Independence
Completes tasks without verbal prompts.
Categorization
Navigates directly to the correct folder.
Professionalism
Uses social markers (hello/thanks).
Post-Simulation Reflection
"Which station felt the most like a 'real' job?"
"How did predicting the conversation help you navigate faster?"
"What's one folder on your device you feel like a 'pro' at using now?"
Navigating for Independence | Module 5: Community Outing Simulation Facilitation Resource
