Attribute Navigator Slides Attribute Navigator
Mastering the Art of Descriptive AAC Communication
Lesson 1: Categories & Adjectives
Today's Navigation Goal
The Challenge
What happens when your device doesn't have the exact word for what you want to talk about?
The Strategy
We use Descriptive Navigation. Instead of finding the specific noun, we find the words that describe it.
Category + Size + Color + Shape = The Meaning
Know Your Path
Categories
Find the "group" first. Is it Food? Clothes? School things? Tools?
Describing
Find the color, the texture, or how it looks.
Quantity/Size
Is it big? Little? Many? Just one? Heavy or light?
Mystery Box Challenge!
Reach in the box. Feel the object.
Don't say the name of the object.
Navigate to 3 descriptive words to tell us what it is.
Circum... what?
Circumlocution
"Talking around" a word you don't have.
Think of it like a GPS. If the main bridge is out, you have to find a detour. Describing is your detour to communication!
APPLE
"Red, round, food"
BALLOON
"Big, soft, air"
ELEPHANT
"Grey, huge, animal"
ICE
"Cold, hard, water"
Mystery Box Tracker Worksheet Mystery Box Tracker
Descriptive Navigation Practice: Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
Instructions
As your classmates describe objects from the mystery box, track their clues! Use your own device to find the words they say and see if you can solve the mystery before they reveal the item.
Navigator Name Descriptive Clues (AAC Words) The Mystery Item Clue 1:
Clue 2:
Clue 3:
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Clue 1:
Clue 2:
Clue 3:
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Clue 1:
Clue 2:
Clue 3:
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Clue 1:
Clue 2:
Clue 3:
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Self-Reflection:
Which descriptive page was easiest to find?
One new descriptive word I found today:
Descriptive Games Teacher Guide Attribute Navigator Guide
Grade: 11th (SpEd/AAC) Topic: Descriptive Navigation Time: 45-60 min
Learning Objectives
Locate category and attribute pages on AAC device.
Use circumlocution to describe objects.
Synthesize attributes to define unknown nouns.
Preparation
Opaque "Mystery Box" or bag.
Common objects with distinct textures/shapes (e.g., pinecone, sponge, stapler, orange).
Printout of AAC device layout for modeling.
Instructional Steps
1 The Hook: Mystery Box (15 min)
Introduce the "Mystery Box." Explain that today we are navigators. We can't say the name of what we touch—only how it feels and looks.
Teacher Prompt:
"Reach in. Don't look! Tell me one color word, one size word, and one feel word."
2 Direct Instruction: Paths (10 min)
Model navigation on the main classroom board or iPad. Show the path:
Home → Describe → Colors
Home → Describe → Size
3 Guided Practice (20 min)
Students take turns as the "Navigator." Peers use the Mystery Box Tracker to record the words being said.
Differentiation Strategy:
For emerging users, provide a "Cheat Sheet" of icons commonly found in the Descriptive folders to help them scan and select.
4 Debrief (10 min)
Ask: "Why is it better to say 'big, green, food' than just staying silent when you don't have the word for watermelon?"
Action Logic Slides Action Logic
Defining Objects by What They Do
Lesson 2: Functions & Actions
Level Up Your Navigator
Level 1: Appearance
"It is big and blue."
Level 2: Function
"It does a math thing." (Calculator)
Strategy:
Finding the Action
Verbs
Body Actions
Thinking
Functional Formulas
THING
(Category)
VERB
(Action)
The Word
(Defined)
"Food thing" + "Cook" = Oven / Microwave
The "What is that?" Game
I will show you a picture of a rare tool that you probably don't have a word for on your device.
Your Mission:
Explain what it's for using only core verbs and categories.
Mystery Tool Image
(Teacher projects rare tool here)
Mystery Tool Decoders Worksheet Mystery Tool Decoders
Functional Definition Practice: Lesson 2
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Look at the mystery tool your teacher projects. You don't know the name of it, so you have to explain it using Actions (what it does) and Categories (what group it belongs to).
TOOL #1 Draw tool or Write name if revealed
1. THE ACTION (VERB)
"It does..."
2. THE CATEGORY (NOUN)
"It is a..."
The Definition Strategy
[Combine Category + Action]
TOOL #2 Draw tool or Write name if revealed
1. THE ACTION (VERB)
"It does..."
2. THE CATEGORY (NOUN)
"It is a..."
The Definition Strategy
[Combine Category + Action]
TOOL #3 Draw tool or Write name if revealed
1. THE ACTION (VERB)
"It does..."
2. THE CATEGORY (NOUN)
"It is a..."
The Definition Strategy
[Combine Category + Action]
Action Category Teacher Guide Action-Category Links Guide
Grade: 11th (SpEd/AAC) Lesson 2: Functional Definition Topic: Strategic Retrieval
Core Concepts
The Formula
Category + Verb
The Skill
Functional Definition
Suggested Mystery Tools
Show images of these high-utility but rare items:
Cherry Pitter (Food Thing + Go)
Calipers (Science Thing + Look)
Mortar & Pestle (Cook Thing + Crush/Make)
Plumb Bob (Build Thing + Look/Down)
Instructional Flow
1 Recall & Expand (10 min)
Review Lesson 1 (Attributes). Explain that sometimes how things look isn't enough. We need to know what they DO.
2 Navigation: The Action Folder (10 min)
Identify the "Action" or "Verb" folder on student devices. Model locating verbs like: Make, Do, Help, Fix, Go, Put.
Modeling Tip:
"I'm looking for a word for a pencil. I can't find 'pencil'. I'll go to Actions and find 'Write'. It's a 'Write thing'!"
3 Decoding Activity (25 min)
Project the images of rare tools. Students use the worksheet to brainstorm the Action + Category.
Guided Prompting:
"What group does this belong to? (Tools? Kitchen? Bathroom?) What is the person doing with it? (Fixing? Cleaning? Cutting?)"
Vocabulary Focus:
CORE VERBS (Do, Get, Put)
CATEGORIES (Thing, Stuff, Place)
Power of Not Slides The Power of "NOT"
Navigating Opposites and Negation
Lesson 3: Negation & Antonyms
The Master Shortcut
If you have ONE word, you actually have TWO words.
"Not Hot" = COLD
Using negation helps you describe things by what they ARE NOT.
NOT
+ SAD = HAPPY
NOT
+ FAST = SLOW
NOT
+ BIG = SMALL
The Motor Plan
Find your "NOT" button. It is usually near:
The "No" button
The Modifiers / Little Words
The Verbs (Don't)
Navigation Rule
NOT
Say it BEFORE the adjective.
Opposite Day!
The Rule:
For the next 10 minutes, everything you say must be the opposite of what you mean.
"I am not happy" = I am very sad.
Opposite Day Worksheet Opposite Day Challenge
Negation Practice: Lesson 3
Name:
Date:
How to Play
To say something on Opposite Day, find the opposite word and add NOT in front of it!
1. You are HUNGRY
Step 1: Find Opposite
Full / Not Hungry
Step 2: Navigate with "NOT"
NOT
2. You are TIRED
Step 1: Find Opposite
Awake / Energetic
Step 2: Navigate with "NOT"
NOT
3. You LIKE it
Step 1: Find Opposite
Dislike / Bad / Hate
Step 2: Navigate with "NOT"
NOT
4. It is HARD
Step 1: Find Opposite
Easy / Soft
Step 2: Navigate with "NOT"
NOT
Mystery Challenge:
Someone says: "This movie is NOT GOOD." What do they really mean?
Negation Navigation Teacher Guide Negation Navigation Strategies
Grade: 11th (SpEd/AAC) Lesson 3: Negation Strategy: Expressive Expansion
Why use Negation?
Efficiency: Cuts needed vocabulary in half.Flexibility: Allows description of feelings/states when the specific word is missing.Cognitive Maturity: High-level language strategy for 11th graders.
Core Pairs to Model
Not Happy = Sad
Not Hot = Cold
Not Big = Small
Not Fast = Slow
Not Go = Stop
Not Same = Different
Lesson Facilitation
1 The Logic Check (10 min)
Explain: "If I have the word 'Good', I have 'Good'. But if I add 'Not', I have a way to say 'Bad' without ever touching the Bad button."
2 Device Mapping (10 min)
Guide students to find their "NOT" modifier.
Check for these locations:
WordPower: "NOT" is often on the Home page near "No".
LAMP: "NOT" (X-sign) is often under the "No" icon.
Proloquo2Go: "NOT" usually in the "Small Words" or "Little Words" folder.
3 Opposite Day Simulation (25 min)
The teacher intentionally models "Opposite Day" talk.
Challenge Prompts:
"Tell me your lunch is NOT GOOD (if it's bad)."
"Tell me the hallway is NOT QUIET (if it's loud)."
"Tell me the classroom is NOT COLD (if it's hot)."
Fix It Fast Slides Fix It Fast
Strategic Competence & Communication Repair
Lesson 4: Breakdown Repair
When the Bridge Breaks
Communication is like a bridge between you and another person.
Breakdowns happen when:
• They don't understand your word.
• Your device doesn't have the word.
• You made a mistake on the screen.
Repair it!
Don't give up. Find a different way across the bridge.
The "Repair" Toolkit
Phase 1: Freeze
Tell them to wait while you fix it.
"Wait please."
"Let me try again."
Phase 2: Pivot
Use your navigation strategies!
"It is like..." (Attribute)
"It does..." (Action)
"Not..." (Opposite)
The Hardest Listener
Teacher Challenge:
I am going to "misunderstand" everything you say. You cannot get angry. You must navigate to your repair phrases and use your 3 NAVIGATOR TOOLS to fix it.
Wait please
It is like...
Try again
Repair Strategy Scripts Worksheet Repair Strategy Scripts
Strategic Competence: Lesson 4
Name:
Date:
Stop/Wait
Re-word
Describe
Practice Scenarios
"I want to ask for a CHARGER, but I can't find the word."
1. Repair Phrase (Freeze)
Navigate to: "Let me try again."
2. Pivot Strategy (Describe)
Say: "Phone + Power + Thing"
"I said 'DOG' but I meant 'CAT'. The person is talking about dogs."
1. Repair Phrase (Freeze)
2. Pivot Strategy (Describe)
"I am trying to tell a joke about a SNOWMAN, but I can't find it."
1. Repair Phrase (Freeze)
2. Pivot Strategy (Describe)
Navigator's Note:
It is okay to be frustrated. But the bridge only works if you keep trying. Use your "Let me try again" button whenever you feel stuck!
Breakdown Scenarios Teacher Guide Breakdown Scenario Cards
Grade: 11th (SpEd/AAC) Lesson 4: Breakdown Repair Role: Facilitator
The "Listener" Role
The teacher must act as a confused but willing listener. Intentionally misunderstand fringe words, but acknowledge core descriptors immediately to reinforce their power.
The Strategic Loop
1
Attempt
2
Breakdown
3
Repair Phrase
4
Pivot Strategy
Scenario A
The Request:
The student wants to ask to use a "Calculator".
Teacher Misunderstanding:
"Oh, you want a snack? A cookie?"
Look for Repair: "Wait / No / Try again" + "Math thing"
Scenario B
The Request:
The student is talking about "Music" but hits "Lunch" by mistake.
Teacher Misunderstanding:
"I'm hungry too! What should we eat?"
Look for Repair: "Mistake / Wrong" + "Listen thing"
Scenario C
The Request:
The student wants to go to the "Gym".
Teacher Misunderstanding:
"You want to go home? It's not time yet."
Look for Repair: "Not Home" + "Play / Run Place"
Scenario D
The Request:
The student is trying to describe a "Scarf".
Teacher Misunderstanding:
"A rope? Are you building something?"
Look for Repair: "Not Rope" + "Wear / Cold / Neck"
Core Challenge Slides The Core Challenge
Abstract Thinking & Vocabulary Synthesis
Lesson 5: Mastery Project
Total Mastery
You have learned to describe Colors, Actions, and Opposites.
Now, we use them all at once to explain ideas that have no single button.
Category + Size + Color
Action (What it does)
Opposite (What it is NOT)
Earth Translator
The Scenario:
An alien has landed. They have no nouns for "Smartphone," "Freedom," or "Jealousy." You must explain these concepts using ONLY your core navigation tools.
Defining the Invisible
JEALOUSY
A FEELING thing
NOT HAPPY
I WANT IT
YOU HAVE IT
Master Strategy:
Break the big idea into tiny CORE pieces. If you can't find the feeling word, describe the SITUATION.
Your Challenge List
DEMOCRACY
(Everyone + Choose + Thing)
SMARTPHONE
(Small + Talk + Do all things)
COURAGE
(Feel + Scared + but + Do it)
Go to your Alien Tech Manual to begin!
Alien Tech Manual Worksheet Alien Tech Manual
Core Vocabulary Mastery: Lesson 5
Name:
Date:
Mission Briefing
You are the official Earth Translator . You must explain three complex things to an alien visitor using only the core words on your device. Use everything you've learned!
CONCEPT #1: SMARTPHONE
Description (L1)
Example: Small, black, glass...
Function (L2)
Example: It helps talk, play, and look...
Negation (L3)
Example: Not big, Not old...
The Final Alien Translation (Navigate and write/draw words below):
CONCEPT #2: FREEDOM
Feeling/Type
Action (What you do)
Negation (NOT...)
The Final Alien Translation:
Mastering these strategies makes you a Communication Pro!
Abstract Concept Teacher Guide Abstract Concept Guide
Grade: 11th (SpEd/AAC) Lesson 5: Synthesis Focus: Abstract Language
The Synthesis Ladder
Top: Full circumlocution using all folders.
Mid: Categorizing the abstract idea (e.g., "Feeling").
Base: Negation of the obvious (e.g., "Not mean").
Scaffolding Examples for Teacher Modeling
Jealousy
"A feel thing. I not happy. You have it. I want it."
Strategy: Narrative Sequence
Courage
"A do thing. Feel scared. But still go."
Strategy: Logical Contrast
Democracy
"A people thing. Many choose. Not one person boss. All people talk."
Justice / Fairness
"A right thing. Same for all. Not different. All good."
Navigator Masterclass Tips
Validate Effort over Accuracy
If a student describes "Smartphone" as "Hand computer," celebrate the strategic navigation even if they missed the "phone" part. The goal is being understood, not dictionary precision.
Model the "Struggle"
Verbally think aloud: "Hmm, I don't have a button for 'Jealousy'. It's a feeling... I'll go to my Feeling folder. It's like 'Sad' but more. I'm 'Not Happy' because you have that toy."
