Language Development during Circle Time

I tend to have an extended Circle Time in my special needs classroom.  We can sometimes spend up to 45 minutes or longer participating in all sorts of academic activities.  One of my students' favorite parts of Circle Time is what we call Talk Time.  

Most of my students are delayed in language.  They have difficulty communicating and holding conversations.  To help them build these skills, I decided to begin Talk Time.  It started by my asking each student at the table what they had for dinner the night before.  This simple question pulled on several different skills, including deciphering between past and present, remembering specific events, language recall, and participating in the give and take of conversation.  It became such a hit, that the students would remind me to ask them if I forgot.  

I decided to expand the practice.  Now, I have a small container in which I keep questions written on little pieces of paper.  My calendar helper gets to choose a question each morning.  If he or she can read it, then I let them.  If they need help, I provide it.  Then, using a pointer, the helper asks each student that question.  The helper uses recall to ask the same question each time.  The students are required to try their best to answer the question.  My nonverbal students use adapted communication devices.  I try to keep the questions simple enough that each student can answer.  I can adapt the question by changing it to a yes/no answer.  Some examples are:

• What did you do after school yesterday? / Did you go outside after school yesterday?
• What did you do last weekend? / Did you go shopping last weekend?
• Where did you go over winter break? / Did you visit family over winter break?

The calendar helper loves using the pointer and the students are excited because you and the others are interested in their answers.  It's become the most popular part of our mornings!