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Using Sentences
Using Sentences
Some young people with SLCN may use sentence structures you would normally expect from a much younger child (e.g. 'he felled over'), incorrect grammar use and difficulties linking sentences with words (such as 'but, 'so', etc.) They may also struggle to sequence the information in their sentences. Modelling the correct structures back to young people is a great strategy but sometimes we need to do more. We can work on specific grammatical structures and sequencing and a system that colour codes the use of sentences is COLOURFUL SEMANTICS.
What is Colourful Semantics?
What is Colourful Semantics?
Colourful Semantics is a colour coded system developed by Alison Bryan in 1997 (a UK Speech and Language Therapist). The system separates sentence structures into their thematic roles and each thematic role is given a colour. The sentences can be broken down and understood as well as reassembled - building on structure and complexity.
I need to add a note about the colours. Originally, Alison used red for WHERE. When digital life descended, this was changed to blue as it was too closely related to the other colours (digitally). You will find some resources using RED and some using BLUE - as long as you are consistent across your setting it does not matter which colour you use (it may also be worth looking at what is used locally in your area too e.g. NHS and special schools).
Why is Colourful Semantics an effective teaching tool?
Why is Colourful Semantics an effective teaching tool?
There are a range of benefits to using this approach, including (but not limited to):
Encouraging wider vocabulary
Making sentences longer
Helps to support grammar (subject-verb agreement, articles, syntax)
Helping children to answer questions or generate responses to questions
Improving storytelling skills
Can be transferred to written sentences and written language comprehension
Can be carried out individually or in small groups
Who would we use Colourful Semantics with?
Who would we use Colourful Semantics with?
The approach can be used with children with a range of Speech, Language and Communication Needs, including (but not limited to):
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) (formerly known as Specific Language Impairment (SLI)
Developmental Delay or Disorder
Autistic Spectrum Condition
Down Syndrome
Literacy difficulties
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
ColourfulSemantics_OLSEL_2011.pdfColourful Semantics Presentation
Colourful Semantics Presentation
This is a presentation regarding some research carried out by Oral language Supporting Early Literacy. It looks at 8 schools in Victoria, Australia and highlights the positive effect on literacy that the use of colourful semantics had when used in the Early Years settings.
Colourful Semantics Examples
Colourful Semantics Examples
Colourful Semantics Writing Frame/Bookmark
Colourful Semantics Writing Frame/Bookmark
BCTC - Colourful Semantics Bookmark.pdfColourful Semantics Writing Boards
Colourful Semantics Writing Boards
BCTC - Colourful Semantics Boards.pdfAdditional external links:
Additional external links:
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