Blank Levels Background 1978 Blank Rose and Berlin

‘Blank’ Levels

Background • • • 1978 Blank, Rose and Berlin created ‘the Language of Learning Model’ Frequently used in Australia – known as ‘Blanks’/’The Blank Language Scheme’ Henrietta Mc. Lachlan and Liz Elks applied Blank to assessment Mc. Lachlan and Elks devised the Test of abstract Language Comprehension (TALC) TALC was devised a functional was to teach language is the classroom environment

TALC Assessment • Two versions of the assessment: • • • TALC – younger students (primary) TALC 2 – older students (secondary) Typical language development follows Blank Level’s 1 -4 80% pass rate to achieve level of competency at each level ASC Profile – often will pass levels 1, 2 & 4 and fail level 3

Blank Level 1 Matching Perception • • Match heard language to object Concrete – pointing, matching, naming 60% of 3 years olds are consistent at this level Students with SLD/MLD may fail this level

Blank Level 2 Selective Analysis of Perception • Match heard language to PART of an object/picture • 60% of 3 year olds have a consistent understanding at this level • Includes simple ‘wh’ questions: who/what/where • Functions/Semantic Link – write/pen, hand/glove • Categories • Attributes

Blank Level 3 Re-Ordering Perception • • Able to think and talk about language itself 65% of 5 years olds are consistent at this level Involves inference and prediction Narrative Sequencing 3 part instructions Conditions Definitions

Blank Level 4 Problem Solving and Justification • • Able to solve abstract problems Able to give reasons for events Includes how/why questions 65% of 5 year olds are consistent at this level

Practice Tasks • Identify the level of each question

Functional Use of Blank Levels • • Daily use Consider the student’s level of understanding Consider your classroom questions carefully! Different levels of questions can be used for the same topic • Does the student understand? If not: • • • Use a lower level of question Support understanding with visuals Offer forced choices

Writing Subject Based Questions • Select a topic you are currently teaching • Write 2 -3 questions for each Blank Level that can be used during the teaching of this topic

Questions?

Contact Information Your therapist: Jackie Wood Email: jacqui. wood 2@nhs. net Attends Prenton Primary on Wednesdays