Buzzer

The Morse Code is used with the buzzer. The therapist uses the Morse Code symbols to spell a word, one letter at a time. After all the letters have been identified by the student using a Morse Code sheet, he/she will spell the word, pronounce the word, define the word and give its part(s) of speech, and then use the word in a sentence. The student will be asked to expand the sentence to make it more descriptive and/or more complex.

After this oral interchange has been completed, the student will analyze the word on the chalkboard, using key words from the Blue Book to identify each of the sounds/spellings in the buzzer word. The student will also be asked to divide the words into syllables in the Blue Book Workbook.

For older students who have been in therapy several years, the analysis of the buzzer word may be done orally or may not be done at all during the therapy session. Syllable divisions may be assigned for homework instead of being done during the therapy session.

Buzzer homework for all students includes writing a definition for the word; writing a long, descriptive sentence using the word; and analyzing the word with Blue Book key words. If a word can have several different meanings or can be used as several different parts of speech, it is expected that the definition and the sentence will match. For example, if the student defines a given word as a noun, he/she needs to use it as a noun, not a verb, in the sentence that is written.

Students are expected to complete the analysis of the buzzer word without referring to the Blue Book. Only on rare occasions should the student use the Blue Book to assist with the analysis. Ongoing review of the Blue Book will aid the student in his/her recall of appropriate pages. Corresponding spellings in the key words need to be underlined.

It is also important that the student's definition and sentence be his/her own. The definition should not be copied from a dictionary. On occasion, a student may forget the discussion of the definition that occurred in therapy. Then, a dictionary may be consulted, but the definition needs to be written in the student's own words.

It is also important that the spelling that is used in the homework assignment is the student's own. If he/she doesn't know how to spell a particular word, he/she should be encouraged to spell it the way it sounds. Spelling errors that are made enable the therapist to know to what extent spelling rules are being applied, which rules need additional review, etc. If the student is given assistance with spelling, the therapist doesn't see the areas of need.

Buzzer is one of the most integrative techniques used in educational therapy because it stimulates auditory and visual processing, as well as higher levels of thinking. When buzzer homework is consistently done carefully and correctly, the benefits to the student increase significantly.