EET? What are these three letters I see floating around Pinterest and speech blogs? What is the hype?
Well, the EET is the Expanding Expression Tool.
It is a tool created by Sara L. Smith that is used to improve expressive language. This tool can be used to show students all the different pieces of information they can use when describing.
But this kit costs so much money? Why do I need this whole kit? Well this kit is jam packed with goodies that will help make this strategy work! It comes with a manual, poster, a teacher strand, stickers, 2 dice, and pictures of common objects to teach the concept.
But the cost? OK, yes, my district was NOT one of the lucky ones that paid for this kit. How did I acquire it? I used Donors Choose!! If you are not familiar with that website, you can create a “project” and get donators to contribute to it. If you are familiar with Donors Choose, you know that you need to typically use one of the website's vendors for your projects. However, if you have 6 points you can use an outside vendor. I created small projects that were quickly funded, to help me earn enough points to create a special project! I put all the EET goodies into my “project” and my wish was granted! So, if you don't see your districts purchasing this kit for you, you can try this alternate method!
OK, now that you know it is possible to get this kit, let me tell you more about the goodies in it. Why do you need the manual if you read blogs? Well, it has tons of activities to help teach each bead, putting it all together, and carrying over into classroom activities. It also has graphic organizers and even a parent involvement section!
Here is an example of my a worksheet to learn the beads:
Students struggling to learn the different beads? Even with the activities in the manual? I have a BUNDLE in my TpT store that can help you! Click HERE to learn more about it and the different products within it!
Once students comprehend the beads and putting it together, we practice using various games and activities. I use Leapin Lizards and classifying fishing game from Super Duper, Ned's Head, Headbanz and so much more!
OK, so your students learn to describe common objects, and express categories, function, parts, composition, where to find it, what it looks like and more, now what? How can students use this skill in their classrooms?! Well, first, I teach them to compare/contrast using this strategy!
I used my Compare and Contrast Pictures product to show two images and students had to determine if they two had the same answer for each bead. We wrote on the therapy table using a dry erase board to record our responses. Then, we practiced expressing and even writing our responses!
What else do we do? I take nonfiction texts and show students how to recall significant details and tell/write a summary! I use passages from Readworks.org, NewsELA, EdHelper, K12reader.com, and more!
Do your students have to write a biography or research paper? They can use this strategy! The manual helps guide you to teach you how!
I really, truly just love this kit. I love tools that allow kids to use a multi sensory approach and prompt themselves. I see a lot of growth by using this tool. I was NOT formally trained but was able to learn by reading the manual and various blogs about the EET.
Have you seen my OLD blog posts about the EET? You can access them by clicking the links below:
Understanding Non-Fiction Texts and more
Below are some games that I love to use with the EET:
Want a better view of the components of the EET and hear more about how I use it? Want bonus ideas for lessons and activities? Watch this video below of my Periscope on this topic!
