Block play is a station that is typically found in classrooms for younger students. It lends itself to so many skills including imagination & creativity, math concepts and even language can be incorporated. Of course when the building is done, it also can be a great place to practice cleaning up!
Block play is an area that naturally incorporates math skills. It can provide opportunities for learning classification; shape, size and color identification; and counting and matching skills. Students count, measure, balance, plan, problem solve, and develop language. It incorporates scientific concepts of balance, space, and gravity. It also can facilitate cooperation development in social relationships. Begin with the basic blocks in the black area and then enhance with theme specific materials.
Common materials in the block area include dollhouses, miniature furniture, toy people, cars and trucks, animals, unit blocks, large wooden blocks, plastic blocks, cardboard blocks (fill to create different weights), bristle blocks, Duplos, Lego's, animals, and road signs. In selecting toys, choose ones with a variety of textures, weights, and sizes.
Incorporate concepts into the Blocks Station by: discussing likes and differences of blocks and building materials; size (big/little and small/medium/large) and quantity differences of blocks, cars, etc.; sound differences of train and car race sets or blocks crashing down; and shapes of blocks and building toys. Encourage students with low vision to use their magnifiers to study directions for LEGO assembly, study maps, and study blueprints. Also encourage students with low vision to use their vision during blocks to watch the movement of friction cars or small windup toys.
Provide block outlines (high contrast and raised line for tactual learners) to assist students in putting blocks away. Attach object and print/braille word to the top or front of containers for students who are at a pre-symbolic level. For students that can understand symbols and will be a future print reader, use picture and word symbols to label containers.
The block area should be protected on at least two sides, ideally three, to minimize structures getting mistakenly knocked over. This will also help contain the creative area! It is best to have plenty of floor space and low pile carpet that will keep buildings from toppling over and muffle the sounds.
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development
Demonstrates awareness of objects
Demonstrate understanding of object permanence
Plays with toys – takes adv. of characteristics
Open container to locate noisemaker
Demonstrate interest in toys
Object identification
Match/Classify objects by shapes
Match/Classify objects by size
Time awareness and concepts
Spatial awareness
Quantity Concepts
Alternative Communication
Body responses & gestures for communication
Choice Board (object/tactile/picture)
Communication system (calendar boxes)
Sign language/tactile sign (deafblind)
Emergent Literacy
Explore pictures/objects from story
Explore & turn pages
Proper care of books
Awareness of environmental print/braille
Pretend to read/write print/braille
Access Print
Use low vision tools to access near print
Use low vision tools to access distance print
Use technology to access digital print
Use screen sharing to access print at distance
Access variety of print formats
Identify print size needed
Pre-Braille
Tactile discrimination of symbols
Identify spatial position of dots in braille cell
Identify the dot number in a braille cell
Track a line of dots from left to right
Track a row of dots
Identify beginning/end/breaks on a braille line
Tactually explore a braille page
Track braille sentences when read aloud by adult
Orients braille book correctly
Turn pages in a braille book one at a time
Locates the first braille line on a page
Locate the page number in a braille book
Use two hands to track braille
Use pointer finger as lead finger
Use pinky finger to detect the end of a line
Use light touch
Use two hands separately to track and return
Locate name in braille
Identify same/different braille shape
Identify the braille alphabet
Identify the literary braille numerals 0-10
Braille Code
Read/write the alphabet
Read/write whole-word alphabet contractions
Read/write whole and part word contractions
Read/write short form words
Read/write lower signs
Read/write part word signs
Read/write whole word signs
Read/write initial letter signs
Read/write final letter signs
Read and produce literary numbers
Read and produce braille indicators
Read and produce symbols and punctuation
Braille Reading Fluency
Read back personal writing and edit
Access a variety test & worksheet formats
Apply rules for contractions, punctuation, comp.
Use alternate braille codes (ex. Language, music, etc)
Braille Formatting
Locate beginnings of paragraphs
Writes paragraphs, indenting two spaces
Read/write lists
Locates and read transcriber’s notes, picture captions
Locates headings/subheadings in a text
Reads/write columned materials and tables
Read/write format for poetry and plays
Write outlines in correct (literary/textbook) format
Locate preliminary pages, special symbols page
Use table of contents, glossary and index
Locate/read words and definitions in dictionary
Use a multi-volume textbook
Braillewriter
Locate/name parts on a braillewriter
Make random braille dots
Insert/remove paper from braillewriter
Operate line advance/carriage return
Operate backspace
Use correct fingers on keys
Produce uniform dots using correct finger strength
Erase errors with a braille eraser
Use spacebar appropriately
Set margin stops on braille writer
Change margin for various format needs (ex. column)
Spatially arrange math problems
Proofread writing and make corrections
Slate & Stylus
Identify the dot numbers in cell on a slate
Load paper in the slate
Create legible, uniform dots
Skip space on a slate
Create letters, words, and numbers
Use slate & stylus to complete tasks
Proofread writing and make corrections
Tactile Graphics
Explore Tactile graphics
Locate/identify title, key and symbol
Identify meaning of various textures on globe/map
Interpret graphical information (e.g. graphs & charts)
nemeth code
Read/write numerals in Nemeth Code
Read/write signs of operation (+, -, x, /)
Read/write linear mathematical equations
Read/write horizontal mathematical equations
Read/write symbols of comparison (<,>, =)
Read/write symbols money using signs: $, ¢, .)
Read/write fractions
Read/write mixed numerals
Read/write temperatures using sign for degrees
Read/write percent
Read/write grouping symbols ( , ) , [ , ] , { , }
Read/write Nemeth punctuation (, -, : )
Read/write modifier signs for lines, arrows, rays, bars
Read/write shape indicator (circle, square, etc.)
Read/write signs/format for parallel & perpendicular
Read/write signs for angles
Read/write adv. symbols of comparison (i.e. ≠, = )
Read/write square roots
Read/write subscripts/superscripts
Read/write algebraic expressions
Read/write chemical equations
Read/write braille clock/watch
Write time
Measure to the nearest centimeter, ½”
Construct/draw measure geometric figures & label
Use braille/tactual tools to measure
Display data on tactual graph
Interpret data in various tables and graphs
Read/write standard/metric measurements
Read/write advanced Nemeth code symbols
Apply rules to complete grade level problems
Access Classes
Use of charts, graphs, maps
Measurement tools
Handwriting (legibility)
Develop a consistent signature
Use signature writing guide
Use of needed accommodations
Interpretation of Tactile graphics
Abacus
Identify all parts of the abacus
Demonstrate understanding of set, clear and count
Set numbers in the ones column
Set numbers in the tens column
Set and read whole numbers according to place value