# Actions, actors and questions — English draft Use live demonstrations or suitable temporal clips to distinguish actions, actors and question meanings. Begin with a few familiar actions; the twenty scenes are a library, not one sitting or a trial quota. Check vocabulary and actor recognition separately. Movement imitation, speech and speed are not prerequisites for understanding. ## Before starting Introduce the fictional characters Mira and Tara with stable names and familiar identifiers. Both use feminine Hindi forms so gender agreement does not reveal which person is the answer. Do not infer gender from clothing or appearance. Use appropriate adult demonstrations or clearly enacted characters; objects must be suitable for the learner. Honour stop and help; no essential item or desired communication is withheld to create a task. The adult scene notes and event labels are answer keys, not learner captions. Show both events clearly. Present a single optional probe on a fresh run. Saying the action in one question can teach the answer to the next; record that exposure and support, or use a new example. Balance actor and display order without moving established AAC symbols. Do not make the learner always select the first event or the same person. ## Introduce and develop Model a familiar action and a meaningful contrast, then offer an accessible new choice. Later ask who and what-is-happening on comparable scenes without naming the topic. Gradually build actor+action messages, adding an object only where it resolves ambiguity. Start with P01–P05 if suitable; expand only as vocabulary and access permit. More similar actions can require more support, not a higher-speed response. “Mira rolling ball” can communicate an event even if the full sentence is not yet formed. Record event meaning, requested information, expression mode and grammar separately. A name response to a what-action question is different from a wrong action label. A wrong answer suggests what to inspect; it does not prove a processing deficit. Do not award several independent trials for the same utterance. ## Asking questions with a real information gap Use the separate asking setup after resetting the activity; the learner must actually lack the information. The partner privately makes a fresh choice, responds to the question and shows the result. The displayed accepted question is an example, not a script to demand. A neutral invitation is elicited asking, not spontaneous asking. A who/what hint, question strip or model is additional support. Unknown interest or no wish to ask is not an incorrect response. ## Scoring and home use Verified structured event/person selections can eventually be compared with the exact event key. This draft supplies keys, not a live scorer. Free speech, action synonyms, gestures, broader true descriptions and questions require human review. Record scene validity, clarity and help before interpreting accuracy. Carrying includes holding; do not mark a true broader description false merely because it differs from the key. At home, use a short voluntary turn in a familiar routine. Keep the person's natural AAC system and response time. Record a concise observation, including what the adult said first. Grammar, tense and gender mastery are not inferred from following an action instruction. The reserved cases are assessor-only and must not be rehearsed. ## Practice scenes ## AAM-P01 Both use similar balls. One ball rolls along a flat mat; the other remains stationary in the hands. - **A**: Mira — rolling the ball - **B**: Tara — holding the ball still Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: rolling the ball. → AAM-P01-target - **who**: Who is rolling the ball? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → rolling the ball - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is rolling the ball. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is rolling the ball? ## AAM-P02 Use similar empty baskets. Show continuous upward motion versus downward motion, including the start and finish. - **A**: Tara — lifting the basket - **B**: Mira — lowering the basket Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: lifting the basket. → AAM-P02-target - **who**: Who is lifting the basket? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → lifting the basket - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is lifting the basket. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## AAM-P03 Use similar toy carts. Show hands and the cart moving away from versus toward the actor. - **A**: Tara — pulling the cart closer - **B**: Mira — pushing the cart away Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: pushing the cart away. → AAM-P03-target - **who**: Who is pushing the cart away? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → pushing the cart away - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is pushing the cart away. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is pushing the cart away? ## AAM-P04 Show similar hinged boxes changing closed to open versus open to closed. A finished open box alone is insufficient. - **A**: Mira — closing the box - **B**: Tara — opening the box Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: opening the box. → AAM-P04-target - **who**: Who is opening the box? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → opening the box - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is opening the box. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## AAM-P05 Show a block crossing the visible box boundary inward versus outward. Keep the whole path visible. - **A**: Mira — putting the block in the box - **B**: Tara — taking the block out of the box Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: putting the block in the box. → AAM-P05-target - **who**: Who is putting the block in the box? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → putting the block in the box - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is putting the block in the box. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is putting the block in the box? ## AAM-P06 One actor moves between two marks with a book; the other stays at one mark holding a similar book. Holding is also true during carrying: accept it as less specific, not false. - **A**: Tara — carrying the book - **B**: Mira — holding the book while staying still Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: carrying the book. → AAM-P06-target - **who**: Who is carrying the book? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → carrying the book - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is carrying the book. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## AAM-P07 Use the same number of blocks. Build a vertical stack versus spread them separately on the mat. - **A**: Tara — spreading the blocks apart - **B**: Mira — stacking the blocks Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: stacking the blocks. → AAM-P07-target - **who**: Who is stacking the blocks? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → stacking the blocks - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is stacking the blocks. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is stacking the blocks? ## AAM-P08 Use similar cloths. Show bringing sections together versus opening a folded cloth flat. - **A**: Mira — unfolding the cloth - **B**: Tara — folding the cloth Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: folding the cloth. → AAM-P08-target - **who**: Who is folding the cloth? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → folding the cloth - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is folding the cloth. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## AAM-P09 Each actor has a card and an available partner. One transfers it voluntarily; the other keeps it. Do not make a child surrender their own item. - **A**: Mira — giving the card to the partner - **B**: Tara — keeping the card Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: giving the card to the partner. → AAM-P09-target - **who**: Who is giving the card to the partner? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → giving the card to the partner - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is giving the card to the partner. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is giving the card to the partner? ## AAM-P10 On similar reusable boards, show a line appearing under a marker versus disappearing under an eraser. - **A**: Tara — drawing a line - **B**: Mira — erasing a line Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: drawing a line. → AAM-P10-target - **who**: Who is drawing a line? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → drawing a line - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is drawing a line. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## AAM-P11 Show repeated separate gentle contacts versus one continuous gentle stroke on similar soft toys. - **A**: Tara — stroking the toy - **B**: Mira — tapping the toy Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: tapping the toy. → AAM-P11-target - **who**: Who is tapping the toy? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → tapping the toy - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is tapping the toy. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is tapping the toy? ## AAM-P12 Use inactive large toy buttons. A finger points without contact versus presses the surface. Keep fingertip and surface visible. - **A**: Mira — pressing the button - **B**: Tara — pointing at the button Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: pointing at the button. → AAM-P12-target - **who**: Who is pointing at the button? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → pointing at the button - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is pointing at the button. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## AAM-P13 Use closed toy shakers. Show slow rotation about an axis versus repeated back-and-forth shakes. Allow silent viewing. - **A**: Mira — turning the shaker - **B**: Tara — shaking the shaker Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: turning the shaker. → AAM-P13-target - **who**: Who is turning the shaker? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → turning the shaker - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is turning the shaker. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is turning the shaker? ## AAM-P14 An adult shows water transferring between cups versus moving a spoon around within a cup. Keep both container boundaries visible. - **A**: Tara — pouring the water - **B**: Mira — stirring the water Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: pouring the water. → AAM-P14-target - **who**: Who is pouring the water? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → pouring the water - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is pouring the water. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## AAM-P15 Show brush strokes versus wiping with a cloth on similar toy surfaces. This item involves tool vocabulary; do not treat tool recognition alone as action mastery. - **A**: Tara — wiping the toy surface - **B**: Mira — brushing the toy surface Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: brushing the toy surface. → AAM-P15-target - **who**: Who is brushing the toy surface? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → brushing the toy surface - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is brushing the toy surface. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is brushing the toy surface? ## AAM-P16 Show a cloth moving over a toy versus being lifted away. A covered toy still exists. - **A**: Mira — uncovering the toy - **B**: Tara — covering the toy Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: covering the toy. → AAM-P16-target - **who**: Who is covering the toy? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → covering the toy - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is covering the toy. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## AAM-P17 Show compatible large blocks connecting versus an already connected pair coming apart. - **A**: Mira — joining the blocks - **B**: Tara — separating the blocks Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: joining the blocks. → AAM-P17-target - **who**: Who is joining the blocks? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → joining the blocks - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is joining the blocks. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is joining the blocks? ## AAM-P18 An adult handles a short ribbon and a large reel, showing winding versus unwinding with the path visible. Learner only observes or selects. - **A**: Tara — winding the ribbon onto the reel - **B**: Mira — unwinding the ribbon from the reel Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: winding the ribbon onto the reel. → AAM-P18-target - **who**: Who is winding the ribbon onto the reel? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → winding the ribbon onto the reel - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is winding the ribbon onto the reel. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## AAM-P19 Show repeated ball-surface contacts with lift between them versus continuous surface movement. If the ball rolls, describe it as rolling instead. - **A**: Tara — sliding the ball along the mat - **B**: Mira — bouncing the ball Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses which character performs the familiar target action. The learner knows the action but not the actor. The partner answers an actual question and reveals the choice. - **action**: Show the event: bouncing the ball. → AAM-P19-target - **who**: Who is bouncing the ball? → Mira - **what**: What is Mira doing? → bouncing the ball - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Mira is bouncing the ball. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → Who is bouncing the ball? ## AAM-P20 Show hands meeting repeatedly versus a greeting wave. The learner need not copy either action. - **A**: Mira — waving - **B**: Tara — clapping Separate asking run: For a separate run, the partner privately chooses one of two familiar actions for the known target character. The learner knows the actor but not the chosen action. The partner answers an actual question and demonstrates it. - **action**: Show the event: clapping. → AAM-P20-target - **who**: Who is clapping? → Tara - **what**: What is Tara doing? → clapping - **message**: Tell me what is happening in this event. → Tara is clapping. - **ask**: Find out the missing information from the partner, if you want to. → What is Tara doing? ## Reserved assessment Four separate routines and keys are in heldout_cases.json and heldout_keys.json for assessors. They are excluded from this reading lesson and practice audio. Check actual exposure across languages and units; unknown history is not unseen evidence. No automatic mastery or transfer credit is supplied.