Sometimes I just sit and stare, thinking, "How do I describe what I am seeing to Madilyn?" Usually it is an entire scene, such as rolling mountains of every shade of green with a perfect round sun sitting high in the sky, shining down at us with a warm smile. The other night my husband called me out to look at the full moon, all white with swirls of gray, sitting just above the roof tops on the horizon.
For science this month, Madilyn is studying the solar system. She loves it. She is excited to learn about the planets, the moon and stars, and the sun. Now that we are learning about the sun in depth, I find myself struggling to explain light to my completely blind child whom has never seen a beam of light in all her 7 years. Before, I could use its energy as heat to demonstrate the sun but now half the lesson is focused on "seeing light". I could try to simply tell her it is just something to memorize- breezing over it lightly, hoping she doesn't ask more than I can explain. For some reason though, I feel like I'm depriving her of knowledge by doing so. Maybe it is just something I must accept. I can't make her see it obviously. But how do you tell your blind child that she "cannot" do something so many others do from the first day of life? Something I myself can do, but not her, my daughter? It is rather frustrating at times. It is heavy on my heart to have to explain it to her, mostly because I am afraid she will not understand what I'm even trying to tell her. For Madilyn, not understanding is worse than understanding and learning to accept it. I don't think it will make her sad, unless she senses I am sad. But I try not to be saddened that she does not see the world as I do, but rather intrigued and in love with the fact that she experiences the same world in a totally unique, beautiful way I will never have the privilege of examining. It is hard to understand, but I know she is happy just the way she is this very day. Maybe one day she will be given the chance to "see", but I don't know that she will choose it.
I found this quote from Helen Keller after writing my thoughts above.
"I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers."
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/helen_keller.html#wKm3RlPIxoI0o9dv.99
Monday, April 9, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Tips on adapting a lesson for a visually impaired student
Many lessons and activities are easily adapted for a blind or visually impaired child. It only takes a little time and creativity!
First, review the lesson, worksheets, and activities involved. Assess for any needed background information such as vocabulary. Sometimes a simple activity before the day of the lesson can lend much needed information for children. For example, if the lesson is about the zoo, visit a zoo first so the child can then relate the information back to the lesson later. If possible, go twice- before and after the lesson! The visit afterwards will help the child retain the information learned, as well as provide a fun confidence building activity when she is aware she already knows the answers and what to expect during the trip!
Also, adapt any extension activities such as recommend books to be read. Many children's books are available through digital formats from Bookshare or printed with text and Braille from a variety of Braille book sources such as www.seedlings.org, www.braillebookstore.com, and http://beulahreimerlegacy.webs.com/.
It is also helpful to make a list of materials you, and the child(ren), will need to adapt and use during the lessons. For instance, glitter glue is great for creating raised line tactile images. Just use your imagination!
1. Braille all printed text
2. Create tactile images, raised line drawings or 3D representations of graphics
3. Clarify text or instructions that read "see" or "look at", and other visual references. Consider linking visual aspects such as color with textures or other tactile mediums
4. Adapt games and physical activities so everyone can be involved equally. Never single out any one!
It may be helpful to fill out an adapted lesson plan sheet to help organize your lessons throughout the year. You can keep track of them for years to come! Here is our ADAPTED LESSON SHEET to keep in your CUSTOM SENSORY SUN BINDER! (PDF) Feel free to download our original .pub file to personalize your sheet!
“All of our existing ideas have creative possibilities.”
Sir Ken Robinson, Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative
First, review the lesson, worksheets, and activities involved. Assess for any needed background information such as vocabulary. Sometimes a simple activity before the day of the lesson can lend much needed information for children. For example, if the lesson is about the zoo, visit a zoo first so the child can then relate the information back to the lesson later. If possible, go twice- before and after the lesson! The visit afterwards will help the child retain the information learned, as well as provide a fun confidence building activity when she is aware she already knows the answers and what to expect during the trip!
Also, adapt any extension activities such as recommend books to be read. Many children's books are available through digital formats from Bookshare or printed with text and Braille from a variety of Braille book sources such as www.seedlings.org, www.braillebookstore.com, and http://beulahreimerlegacy.webs.com/.
It is also helpful to make a list of materials you, and the child(ren), will need to adapt and use during the lessons. For instance, glitter glue is great for creating raised line tactile images. Just use your imagination!
1. Braille all printed text
2. Create tactile images, raised line drawings or 3D representations of graphics
3. Clarify text or instructions that read "see" or "look at", and other visual references. Consider linking visual aspects such as color with textures or other tactile mediums
4. Adapt games and physical activities so everyone can be involved equally. Never single out any one!
It may be helpful to fill out an adapted lesson plan sheet to help organize your lessons throughout the year. You can keep track of them for years to come! Here is our ADAPTED LESSON SHEET to keep in your CUSTOM SENSORY SUN BINDER! (PDF) Feel free to download our original .pub file to personalize your sheet!
“All of our existing ideas have creative possibilities.”
Sir Ken Robinson, Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Happy St. Patrick's Day Activities
With a holiday known for it's celebration of a particular color, I had to look to the symbols and other meanings to help explain St. Patrick's Day to my daughter. We talked about "green" as well, as I try not to leave out learning about colors simply because she cannot see them. (We can't see oxygen, but we must learn about it, right?!) Here are a few activities we did this week. Her favorite was the Rainbow Art!
In a simpler wording, the Golden Rule states "Treat others as you would like to be treated." For many kids with birth defects that may make them look a little 'different' than others, or sound different, or learn differently, this is a VERY IMPORTANT lesson to learn!
This is also a perfect time to reinforce the importance of respect and manners. We read a chapter from "Winnie the Pooh's Book of Manners" each afternoon. Available via Bookshare's Read2Go App.
ART - 3D Rainbow art
MATH - Counting gold coins
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| We used 3D coins with textured paper underneath to section off each part of the problem tactually. Each texture is different to represent each part of the number sentence! 3+2=5 |
.JPG) |
| The coins are then moved to the right of the equal sign to find the total sum! |
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| Pot of Gold Math worksheet |
Also try making different patterns using cutout with glitter glue gold coins, shamrocks and leprechauns!
IMAGINATION - Let's Dress Up!
IMAGINATION - Let's Dress Up!
Madilyn learned about leprechauns by being one! Here she is in her Leprechaun beard and hat.
I purchased Madilyn's hat at Michael's Craft Store, but here is a cute way to make your own paper leprechaun hat (via Pinterest).
BRAILLE - Braille name on shamrocks (mix up game)
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| madilyn |
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| close up |
COMMUNITY - Talk about the meanings of each leaf of the shamrock – faith, hope, love and luck
In a simpler wording, the Golden Rule states "Treat others as you would like to be treated." For many kids with birth defects that may make them look a little 'different' than others, or sound different, or learn differently, this is a VERY IMPORTANT lesson to learn!
This is also a perfect time to reinforce the importance of respect and manners. We read a chapter from "Winnie the Pooh's Book of Manners" each afternoon. Available via Bookshare's Read2Go App.
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