Robot Speak

Word Awareness Robot Speak

Objective

Students will combine (blend) individually presented words into sentences and separate (segment) sentences into individual words .

Overview

The teacher and children pretend to be robots, moving mechanically around the room and speaking to one another robotically by pausing between words in sentences . This silly game helps children notice that their speech is made up of individual words .

Materials

12-inch foil squares (one per child); tape; scissors; hole-punch; rope, twine, or ribbon (for constructing hats; optional)

Procedure 1. Tell children that you are going to pretend to be a robot . Walk in a stilted (robot-like) manner around the room . Say “I—am—a—robot,” pausing between each word . Say other sentences, such as, “I—want—a—crayon,” or “I— need—to—sit—down . ” 2. Acting as a robot (pausing between words) provide directions for children to follow . Children will have to put words together in order to understand the directions . For example, say, “Touch—your—toes .” Repeat the directions without pausing between the words, and then ask children to perform the action . Share more directions as if you were a robot, and wait for children to perform the actions . Sample sentences are presented on the next page . 3. Include opportunities for children to respond to you as robots . 4. Encourage children to give directions to their peers using Robot Speak . Play Robot Speak for as long as it holds the children’s interest . 5. Find other opportunities throughout the day to use Robot Speak . Differentiate or Extend ▲ Some children may spontaneously segment their speech into syllables . Help them recognise the difference between words and syllables . It may be helpful to begin with words that are one-syllable words, and then practice with multisyllabic words . ▲ Make foil hats with children so they can wear them as they move and talk like robots . (Directions are shown on the next page .) ▲ If available, place toy robots at a centre to prompt children’s spontaneous use of Robot Speak in play . School-Home Connection Encourage children to speak like robots with their families . Sending home a prop, such as a foil hat, may spark their use of Robot Speak . sample sample 42

Word Awareness Sample Sentences Teacher Models Walk—to—the—door. Pat—your—head. Touch—your—toes. Hop—on—one—foot. Move—like—a—robot. Hold—up—your—hand. Blink—your—eyes. Wave—to—a—friend. Jump—up—and—down. Smile—at—a—classmate. Put—your—hands—on—your—stomach. Clap—your—hands—twice. Shake—your—whole—body. Raise—both—arms—high. Wiggle—your—fingers. Sample Sentences Call-and-Response Say, “I—am—a—robot.” (Children respond, “I—am—a—robot.”) Say, “I—like—to—play.” (Children respond, “I—like—to—play.”) Say, “I—am—walking—around—the—room.” (Children walk like robots and respond, Robot Speak (cont.) Make a tinfoil hat: 1. Start with a 12-inch square of tinfoil with the shiny side out . 2. Make a cut in the foil from one side to the centre in a straight line . 3. Bend the foil with one side under the other to make a cone shape, leaving the shiny side showing . Place the cone-shaped tin foil hat on the head, and adjust the fit by shaping the foil against the head . 4. Tape the cut you made in the foil securely closed . 5. You can punch holes in each side of the hat with a pencil, a ballpoint pen, or the tip of a pair of scissors and place rope, twine, or ribbon through the holes so the hat can tie snugly under the chin . sample “I—am—walking—around—the—room.”)