Embedded Files
What is EET?
What is EET?
The expanding expression tool (EET) is a multi-functional, tactile tool to help improve language and writing development. This tool can be used for both oral and written expression. The tool uses a color-coded chart to help students describe an object by what group it belongs to, what it does, what it looks like, what it is made of, what its parts are, where you find it, and what else you know about it. The goal of this tool is to help individuals learn to describe objects. Oftentimes, students can label an object but struggle to talk about it. This can affect their ability to categorize, make connections and associations, comprehend, and compare and contrast.
The expanding expression tool (EET) is a multi-functional, tactile tool to help improve language and writing development. This tool can be used for both oral and written expression. The tool uses a color-coded chart to help students describe an object by what group it belongs to, what it does, what it looks like, what it is made of, what its parts are, where you find it, and what else you know about it. The goal of this tool is to help individuals learn to describe objects. Oftentimes, students can label an object but struggle to talk about it. This can affect their ability to categorize, make connections and associations, comprehend, and compare and contrast.
Impairment Targeted:
The expanding expression tool can help students to:
will state the function of a given object or item.
will describe the appearance of given objects or items.
will state the composition of given objects or items.
will describe the parts and/or associated parts of given objects or items.
will describe the location of given objects or items.
demonstrate improved descriptive language skills by including 4-6 details about a given object/item/topic.
When defining words, will include a superordinate category term plus one or more characteristics.
state 3-6 attributes about a given object/item.
will demonstrate improved divergent categorization skills by identifying the group objects or items belong to.
One example of a speech goal would be: By 11/29/23, when given a visual prompt, Student will be able to describe the appearance of an object using 2 or more adjectives in 4 out of 5 opportunities as measured by the SLP.
I Spy:
I Spy:
A student can have the EET visual present when choosing an item around the room. They must then describe the item to their communication partner until that individual has guessed the correct object.
Green Group Worksheet:
Green Group Worksheet:
In this curriculum, the EET book comes with individual activities that target each category in the expression tool. This can include having an individual come up with as many items that fit in the “clothing” group.
Describing an object:
Describing an object:
When given a specific object, the student must describe that object using the 7 different features in order to provide a good description of the object. This can be seen in the video below.
Hierarchical Cuing System
When using the EET we can using prompting hierarchy that begins with full physical interaction (hand over hand), this would then move to partial physical, from there we have modeling, gestural, verbal, and finally visual prompting. This system can move up and down in order to
The hierarchy begins with visual prompting including pictures, text, photos, or videos.
Verbal prompt can be direct or indirect. Direct prompts help the student correctly answer the questions while indirect prompts given hints but not the complete answer.
Gestural prompting includes gesturing or showing the student what to do. This can include nodding, pointing, or even ‘look’ to give the students a reminder
Modeling shows students exactly what to do in order for them to respond and perform the task correctly.
Partial physical prompt would be touching the student in order to guide them but still doing the work. This could be working on yes/no with visual cards and guiding the student’s elbow towards the correct answer.
Physical prompt, also known as hand over hand, has the clinician move the child hand to the correct answer. This is the maximum amount of prompting given to a child.
Evidence Based Practice / Strategies
EET allows students to use a hands-on approach to describing and defining objects. This mnemonic device provides visual and tactile information in order to facilitate language organization. The EET program uses multisensory tools to target both oral and written expression. The website below links to various research, student samples, and overall design of the EET Kit.
Expanding Expression Evidence Based Practice
One specific program looks at a preschool class of 16 students. The chart looks at the number of details the preschoolers would include before and after using the EET tool.
SHOW AND SHARE DATA- Faith 4 year old preschool
The x-axis represents the 16 students in the preschool class. The y-axis represents the number of details the preschoolers included when describing items both before being introduced to the EET (darker line) and after using the EET (lighter line). Every student in the class increased the amount of details when using the EET.
White Pine Academy in Leslie is in its second full year of using the Expanding Expression (EET) Writing Program, and it has proved to be a success according to the schools MEAP results in writing. The third grade improved from the 2007-2008 results by 7%, the fourth grade improved by 32% going from 18% in 2007 to 50% in 2008, and the fifth grade improved by 22% going from 26% in 2007 to 48% in 2008.
Data Collection Tool
A +/- system can be used to quantify if the child correctly labeled the EET category. From there this +/- system can also be used to determine if the individual correctly used the category in his/her writing and conversational speech.
Resources:
Biavati-Smith, A. (2019, February 4). Helping children with language: Expanding expression tool kit™ or EET. Selective mutism specialist SLT Edinburgh - WordSteps slt. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.edinburgh-speech-therapy-wordsteps.co.uk/helping-children-with-language-expanding-expression-tool-kit-or-eet/
Acknowledgements - expanding expression. Home - Expanding Expression. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.expandingexpression.com/research2.php
Home - expanding expression. Home - Expanding Expression. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.expandingexpression.com/
Melissa, Melissa Ferry is a special education teacher for Mt. Pleasant Public Schools. She earned her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University with an endorsement in learning disabilities. Melissa is continuing her education at Central Michigan University , & View all 22 of Melissa's posts. (2017, May 25). Try this technique for helping your child with description and written expression. Friendship Circle -- Special Needs Blog. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2017/05/25/expanding-expression-tool/
Page updated
Report abuse