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Material Preparation

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
June 12, 2022
​You won’t be able to thank yourself enough if you take time to prepare materials in advance. Having materials prepared in advance will allow you to have more flexibility and you will be able to grab those resources you need, when you need them. There are always times throughout the school year that seem particularly busy and other times when you have extra time for planning. Help yourself out by planning ahead for upcoming units. You won’t be able to create everything at once, but if you have a list of activities you’d like to create, if you have a cancellation, you’ll know the perfect activity to fill that time! I print out multiple copies of worksheets, so I don’t have to worry about a printer that is jammed, out of ink or otherwise unavailable.

FVE Kit Materials

I like to use old rolling suitcases to store my functional vision kit materials. I find it helpful to have two separate kits, one for students with CVI and those with multiple disabilities and one for students who are older and following the standard course of study. This way, the kits are ready to grab and use whenever you need to do an assessment. If you are like me, these can get a bit cluttered over time so intentionally plan to clean out and organize your kits periodically.

TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC

I self-published the TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC in 2018. It is a collection of all my favorite activities. I created it so I could have all the activities in one place. It is a pdf download that can be printed on demand. It includes a table of contents with hyperlinks for easy navigation on a computer or tablet if stored on iBook’s. It’s 364 pages and includes a brief overview of the Expanded Core Curriculum followed by core activities, those areas I typically write goals for, followed by thematic units that include more activities that embed ECC concepts. I keep one print copy in a three-ring binder. Additionally, I print out each unit, along with corresponding workbook pages, embossed braille copies of passages, data collection forms, vocabulary cards, and LOTTO cards and I store them hanging files by unit. This allows me to quickly grab the unit and materials I need. It takes time initially to print, organize and prepare materials, but once done, it is a resource that makes instruction in all areas of the ECC much easier!

Grab & Go Visual Efficiency Worksheets

I use the Visual Efficiency Worksheets to work on visual efficiency skills, particularly with using low vision devices. While the types of worksheets I included in the book are similar across each of units, I change the picture icons or words to tie them into the theme. I print out and store the worksheets by unit and make multiple copies, so they are ready to grab and go. I also keep a copy on a flashdrive. I can then present the worksheets on an interactive board and it becomes a way for the student to practice monocular use.

Keyboarding & Braille Fluency Worksheets

I created print on demand word lists, phrases and sentences to correspond with each thematic unit. When working on braille fluency, I create an embossed braille copy for the student and use the print and sim-braille copy for data collection on any errors. I enter these passages into the APH Talking Typer program for students who have learned the keys but need practice building fluency. Rather than typing the same lessons that are included in the Talking Typer program, I create my own lessons using words, phrases and sentences related to the current theme topic with a maximum of ten sentences. This way, the students practice keyboarding skills while learning concepts. This also opens up points of discussion that may be otherwise challenging to naturally discuss. If you aren’t sure of how to create custom lessons in Talking Typer, I created a picture tutorial of how to do just that that can be found in the free member printable section.

Make Embossed Braille Books

I created print on demand word lists, phrases and sentences to correspond with each thematic unit. I love having them as print on demand because this means I can print a new copy of each worksheet for each student and I don’t need to worry about writing on it. When working on braille fluency, I create an embossed braille copy for the student and use the print and sim-braille copy for data collection purposes and to know what is under the student’s fingers. Since the lessons are just one page, you can easily emboss the braille using a traditional braillewriter. I did this intentionally as I wanted to be able to complete a lesson within our given time. Also, for my first 20 years in the field I didn’t have an embosser so I needed to type the lessons up using my Perkins braillewriter. If you have a braille embosser, I have the settings on the pdf set that allow you to copy and paste the passages into braille translation software. Either way, you can decide if you want the passages to be double or single spaced depending on the students needs and proficiency reading single space braille. I recommend getting a binding machine so you can bind each unit into a book. I also order the braille book covers from APH and trim them to fit the standard size. Standard size allows me to store them in hanging files in my file drawers. I write the title on the spine with a silver sharpie and also label with braille so students can practice obtaining the correct book.

Create Vocabulary Cards

There are so many activities you can do with students using vocabulary cards. I created the Thematic Vocabulary Cards & Checklists ECC Grab & Go book to make vocabulary cards that correspond with ECC units. This allows me to work on literacy activities while building ECC concepts. I intentionally created them the same size as braille contraction practice cards from APH. I print out the vocabulary card pages onto regular copy paper. I then copy them onto braille paper. Since the paper is thicker, you will need to feed it into the side tray for specialty paper. Once they are printed on the braille paper and before cutting them apart, place them in a braillewriter. Place an orientation row at the top of each card to help the student orient the card. Add the embossed braille directly under the print. This way, as the student reads the braille, you will be able to see what is under their fingers. If you have a student who is learning braille and still uses their vision, you may want to braille on the back side of the cards so the student doesn’t read the print. I use vocabulary cards related to ECC units for many activities. I put them in unit bags so they are ready to just grab and go. Each unit also has a checklist at the end of all vocabulary cards. You can use this for reference on how to produce the braille if you’re rusty on your braille skills (this can happen if you have gone years without having a braille learner on your caseload!). You can also use it as a checklist of vocabulary cards introduced and data on accuracy. Make multiple copies of these sheets so you can grab them when you need them and use a different data sheet for each student.

Prepare LOTTO Cards for Multiple Uses

The LOTTO cards in the LOTTO cards bonus book correspond with each of the thematic units. I printed three sets on APH white braille paper and laminated each set. I printed another full-page LOTTO card to create LOTTO boards. If the student is sensitive to glare or your laminating film is high glare, you can spray the cards with a matte finish. There are a number of activities that can be done with the cards including identifying and matching pictures at near as well as for use with monocular practice activities.

Utilize APH Funds

I take full advantage of APH funding for my students. There are certain products that are my favorites and I use for multiple activities. I used to think I could only use the products for the ages and recommended uses and I’d feel guilty about using them in different ways and with different age groups. I was delighted to learn when I attended the APH annual meeting in 2018 that they encourage professionals to use materials in unconventional ways! So, don’t be afraid to think outside the box with ways you can use these great resources! Pictured here are some of my favorites including the Tactile Connection cards, Setting the Stage kit and the Wheatley shapes and board.
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” - Alexander Graham Bell
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