This is hard to answer as there is so much I do not know. How much of the day is she in your class? Are there other disabilities? What access do you have to Braille materials? Reading Braille is like reading standard print, as far as I know, as far as comprehension goes. She may not be able to visualize for example, but could create other mental images...what would this sound like, feel like, taste like. She should still be able to infer, make connections...all of that, unless there is some other disability other than vision. She might not see the pictures during your read aloud, but can she participate in your modeling of strategies with the rest of the class? Do you know her reading level? Your district should be able to get access to literature in braille. Public librarians usually know how to hook people up with large print texts and Braille. Also, recorded books are another option. Pick out a few books at her level, bring them to the classroom and go from there. It seems to me that a child with disabilities should have access to the same quality instruction as the other kids in your class. This teacher needs to learn to conference so that she understands where her student is in her understanding and what she needs next. Would you be willing to have her sit in on your instruction some time so she can see what you do? Jennifer L. Palmer Instructional Facilitator, National Board Certified Teacher (EC Gen) Magnolia Elementary School (Home School) 901 Trimble Road, Joppa, MD 21085 Phone: (410) 612-1553 Fax: (410) 612-1576 In EVERY child...a touch of GREATNESS!!! Proud of our Title One School! Norrisville Elementary School 5302 Norrisville Rd White Hall, MD 21161 Phone: 410-692-7810 Fax: 410-692-7812 Where Bright Futures Begin!!!
________________________________ From: [email protected] on behalf of Joy Sent: Wed 8/31/2011 6:15 AM To: Mosaic Subject: [MOSAIC] Visual Impairment Hi. In addition to a much larger class this year, one of my students has a visual impairment that requires her to use Braille to read. I am struggling with how to teach her, as I don't have lessons written that are concrete enough for the VI teacher who comes to our school to help the student for 2 hours daily. (We don't have text books or work books.) This teacher wants detailed lessons, which I cannot provide, as I conference with students individually about their skills and strategies. She has told me that is not good enough, that she needs more concrete lessons. How can I do this? I don't work with the student, and have no idea what kind of skills she needs to read Braille. I also cannot spend hours each day writing plans to teach this teacher. GRRRR I feel like such a whiny baby. Anyone have any ideas? Joy/NC/4 How children learn is as important as what they learn: process and content go hand in hand. http://www.responsiveclassroom.org <http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/> _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive
_______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive
