Guesses

and Describes

Goal:
1) When presented with an object, the student will describe the object using category, feature, function
2) When presented with a description of an object (i.e., category, function, feature), the student will guess the
correct object.
Example: “I’m thinking of a type of animal, it has a mane, and it says “roar”. Answer: “Lion”

Instructional Procedure:
Put 10 flash cards from targeted categories face down (or in a bag/box/hat) in front of the student.
Take turns going back and forth guessing and describing items that the other can’t see– make it fun!

Error Correction: Present object + a verbal model and repeat trial (do not collect data on the transfer trial).
Differentially reinforce trials with the lowest amount of prompting.

Teaching Steps:
1. Guesses Item: Present the student with a description of an object (Object is out of view). The student should
guess the object.
2. Describes Items: With picture/item in view, the student describes the item - Teach a set of 3 categories at a
time
a. Using 1 descriptor (category) – i.e. just pick up the card and say the category
b. Using 2 descriptors (category + function)
c. Using 3 descriptors (category + function + feature) – WITH TEMPLATE (*This step may not be necessary)
(It has to be a relevant feature – e.g., “It has a button and a pocket” vs. “It has a top and material”)
d. Using 3 descriptors (category + function + feature) – no template
e. Picture/item out of view, the student describes the item using 3 descriptors (category + function +
feature)
f. Generalize to the sd: “What is a ____?”
3. Teach additional sets of categories using teaching steps a-f

Suggested Categories:
• Vehicles
• Animal (function: Lives on …) – break this down into farm, zoo/jungle, forest, underwater, sky if necessary
• Clothing (function: Wear it on your..)
• Furniture
• Food (also break this down into fruit, vegetables, meat)
• Drinks
• Toy
• Pets
• Instruments
• Tools
• Electronics
• Appliances
• School supplies
• ANY CATEGORY

Suggested Materials:
Flash cards from this website: http://www.kids-pages.com

Mastery Criteria: 80% for two consecutive sessions

 Guesses and Describes

Take turns going back and forth guessing and describing items that the other can’t see– make it fun!
Teaching Steps:
1. Guesses Item: Present the student with a description of an object (Object is out of view). The student should guess
the object.
2. Describes Items: With picture/item in view, the student describes the item - Teach a set of 3 categories at a time
a. Using 1 descriptor (category) – i.e. just pick up the card and say the category
b. Using 2 descriptors (category + function)
c. Using 3 descriptors (category + function + feature) – WITH TEMPLATE (*This step may not be necessary)
(It has to be a relevant feature – e.g., “It has a button and a pocket” vs. “It has a top and material”)
d. Using 3 descriptors (category + function + feature) – no template
e. Picture/item out of view, the student describes the item using 3 descriptors (category + function + feature)
f. Generalize to the sd: “What is a ____?”
3. Teach additional sets of categories using teaching steps a-f

Date/IT:

100
90
80
70
Percentage

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Teaching Step:
Trial 1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 4 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 6 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 7 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 8 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 9 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 10 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Mastery Criteria: 80% for two consecutive sessions