Activity 3-4:
Making Simpler Sentences
Purpose: This exercise helps participants build a "plain language", vocabulary that they can draw from as needed in communications with parents.
Materials
Handout 10, Handout 12.
Process
Distribute to participants Handout 12, Making Simpler Sentences.
Explain that this exercise will help participants become conscious of the vocabulary choices they have when speaking or writing. Choosing the "plain language" way to express oneself is often the best means of ensuring that the broadest spectrum of parents will be able to receive the message accurately.
Walk participants through the first few substitutions on the list. Then direct them to complete the exercise by themselves. If they get stuck, they can ask co-workers or family to help them.
Debriefing
Review the answers that participants came up with for the exercise. Note that
each sentence has several possible "plain language" solutions.