Classroom Jobs for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

CLASSROOM JOBS

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com

The ability to perform classroom chores or jobs will prepare the student for being a contributing member of the classroom, homes, and community. It also lays a foundation for job related skills and employment later in life. It does take more time, and generally takes a lot of patience when instructing a student in these goals, but it will payoff over time and can lead to a self-confident, organized adult.

FREE VI Program Templates

Become a member for FREE to access the Printable VI Program Templates to support your district's vision program. Includes VI Program resources, FVE/LMA templates and NEW Sample FVE Reports ebook. Simply click on Log In|Register in the navigation bar at the top of the page and follow the directions to register and create your password.

Sign up for the Newsletter

Receive the latest news, notification of recent articles, current job postings, access to FREE forms and templates, and notifications of training opportunities.

Post a Job

Due to the nationwide shortage of vision professionals, it can be challenging to locate personnel. Announce a job vacancy on the Job Exchange of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, an online listing of jobs specific to the visual impairment field.

An added benefit to having classroom jobs is that the student will gain plenty of experiences with real objects. This will help a student that is visually impaired develop an awareness of shape, size, texture, softness, temperature, weight, and other features of objects. Some chores typically considered household chores can be taught and practiced within the classroom or school. Everyone should be expected to participate in basic chores on a daily basis such as hanging coat on hook or on a hanger, putting toys, materials and belongings away, placing trash in the trash can, sorting recycling. Create a classroom chore chart with a variety of chores that students can have turns being responsible for. Typically students will look forward to having classroom responsibilities.

Some Possible Classroom Jobs...

Cafeteria Helper

Have the student refill salt/pepper shakers, condiments, and napkin dispenser in cafeteria.

Coffee Maker

Have the student make coffee for the teacher work room and restock the area with sugar packets, napkins and stir sticks.

Door Holder

Have the student hold doors open for classmates as they enter/leave school or as they enter/leave the classroom.

First Aid Kits

Have the student stock and deliver fist aid kits to classrooms and offices.

Green Team

The student can collect and sort recyclable objects from throughout the school and bring to recycling bin.

Housekeeper

The student can use a cordless mini-vacuum or a full size vacuum to clean the floor and dust counters and shelves, clean door knobs and faucet handles.

Kitchen Helper

Have the student put spoons away in the silverware drawer; sort silverware into utensil tray; help carry purchased snack, etc. into the class; help make grocery list; set table for meals; put napkins in the napkin holder; read/follow recipes; snack drawer to retrieve snacks between meals; opening various types of containers (bread bags, twist ties, can openers, box lids; doughnut box; cereal box; Pringles cans; boa of cookies; pop top cans; freezer sleeves for microwave; wipe down table. Placing ingredients for upcoming recipes in the proper place.

Laundry Helper

Have the student put dirty art smocks in the hamper; carry laundry basket to the washing machine; put clean smocks away; help load the washing machine; load the dryer; put in fabric softener sheets, and fold laundry or kitchen cloths.

Line Leader

Lead class from class to specials. Ensure classmates remain in line and quiet in hall.

Mail Deliverer

Have the student bring messages or attendance to the office, help put items in the mailbox to mail and raise the flag. The student can also retrieve mail from the mailbox.

Office Assistant

Have the student be responsible for delivering information to the office, helping to shred any papers, help to make copies of worksheets or reports or deliver mail to other classrooms.

Pet Sitter

The student can feed the classroom pets; carry in cat/dog food; pour pet food into airtight container.

Plant Sitter

The student can watering and care for classroom or school plants including weeding the class or school garden.

Scuff Mark Spotter

Attach a tennis ball to the end of a pole. Have the student walk along the hall or in the gym scanning for shoe marks to rub out. This is a great activity for visual scanning and eye hand coordination!

Table Setter

The student can wipe down the table, and give each peer a plate, napkin, cup, spoon, and fork. Teach students to clean the table in a systematic pattern, wiping up and down and back and forth.

Trash Collector

Students can empty little trash cans into larger trash can; help pull out trash bag and tie it up take the trash bag out to the larger container; take trash bag to the curb.