There are many materials available to make measurement, probability and data collection activities accessible to students who are blind or visually impaired. Using real objects and materials can make the experiences more concrete for the student.
Graphing is an great math activity that allows students to relate to numbers both tactually and visually. Graphs can show at a glace what could otherwise take paragraphs to describe. Graphs are also an excellent way to help students relate math to their personal experiences. Have students gather and sort data in response to questions posed (taste test or other comparison charts). Arrange objects in a graph according to attributes,(size, color, shape, etc). Encourage students to read the charts and graphs. When complete, identify category that has the most/fewest in a graph. Identify untrue or inappropriate statements about given data. Create and use charts, graphs, tables to interpret and analyze information and to locate information (e.g. sale prices, sales tax, nutritional information, etc) Depending on the students need for concrete understanding, create graphs using real objects, pictures/tactual graphics, or abstract (using print or tactual X's, circles, etc. for students functioning at a more abstract level).
Suggested Materials...
Students in middle school following the standard course of study will need to use a scientific calculator. The Orion TI-36X Talking Scientific Calculator, available through APH, has identical functions to the Texas Instruments TI-36X calculator.
Large print/Large display calculators are available for students with low vision from other vendors. These calculators are sometimes paired with speech output. When selecting a calculator, remember the students need to first gain an understanding of numbers and how to perform operations, older students will be required to use calculators as they enter middle school and perform complex operations.
This 1-foot braille ruler is tapered on the edge. A metal caliper slide aids in accuracy. The English measurement ruler has raised lines with braille numbers at each inch. Fourths on one edge, eighths on the other.
The Analog Clock Model from APH helps teach about time-telling concepts. It has braille and raised large print markings and hands that are easily rotated. The hands are synchronized like those of an actual clock.
Balance, SAVI/SELPH and FOSS is a specially modified balance includes a tactile indicator and holes in the balance pans, allowing use of removable plastic cups. Students use gram pieces and mass sets for weighing.
The Braille/Large Print Yardstick has raised-line markings along one edge in1/4" increments, with braille marking every inch.
The Braille Meterstick has raised lines every centimeter, and braille every other centimeter; and thick raised lines for decimeters.
The whole class cab use this large print and braille Classroom Calendar from APH. Unlike many commercially available calendars that are visually cluttered, this calendar is simple and provides uncluttered, high contrast numbers and labels. It is accessible to students with low vision as well as those who are blind. It includes brightly colored and embossed holiday and weather symbols.
This Desktop Stick-On Number Line available from APH provides both large print and braille. The self-adhesive number line can be reapplied approximately five times.
Clock Face Sheets in Braille are available from APH. Each sheet contains four embossed braille clock faces. The clock faces are blank allowing you to add the hands.
Electronic learning clock teaches kids to tell time and solve elapsed time problems. The self-checking quiz feature has two skill levels to make mastering time telling easy! Clock measures 10 3/4" high. The 32-page Clever Clock Workbook includes 26 time-learning activities that can be used with any learning clock.
This Fraction Line, available from Slide-A-Round Math Manipulatives, was developed by Jim Franklin who is a special education teacher. This fraction number line is accessible to students with low vision as well as those who are blind.
The Individual Calendar Kit from APH allows students to create their own individual calendars. The kit includes twelve brightly colored embossed/bold line grid sheets with paper labels for months, days of the week and days of the month. Labels are in large print and braille.
The Large Print/Braille Toss Away Ruler has markings both in large print and braille and is designed for the classroom or testing and assessment situations where an inexpensive measuring device is needed.
Math Builders Unit 5: Measurement and Estimation is a supplementary math program. It includes a teacher's guide with lesson plans specific to geometry standards.
Math Builders Unit 8: Data Collection, Graphing, and Probability/Statistics is a supplementary math program. It includes a teacher's guide with lesson plans specific to geometry standards.
The SAVI/ SELPH thermometer includes both a Braille and large print scale for measuring temperature in degrees Celsius. It is introduced in the SAVI/SELPH Measurement Module to measure the temperature of water. The thermometer can be calibrated. Tabs are included along the rim to mark temperatures for comparison.
Sight Enhancement Systems, Ottawa, Canada, offers next generation SciPlus scientific calculators designed specifically for persons who are visually impaired. These new models improve on the popular SciPlus family, incorporating a larger, 4-line backlit graphical LCD display with inverted white/black function and adjustable contrast. The SciPlus-2200 version is the “non-speaking” model, and the SciPlus-2300 has English/Spanish (selectable) audio output, with additional languages coming soon.
The Tactile Demonstration Thermometer from APH allows students to independently read, set, and compare temperatures. It consists of a two textured, two-colored adjustable "mercury column" with an easy-grip tactile indicator. The comparable Fahrenheit and Celsius scales are in large print and braille.
Talking Tape Measures announce the measured length.
Textured Sorting Circles and Shapes includes shapes in a variety of textures, sizes, and colors. The accompanying sorting circles are also provided in a variety or colors and textures, and can be used to create Venn diagrams.
This Time Line, available from Slide-A-Round Math Manipulatives, was developed by Jim Franklin who is a special education teacher. This number line is accessible to students with low vision as well as those who are blind.
Transparent CCTV Rulers are flexible, see-through vinyl rulers that make it easier to measure items magnified by an electronic magnifier. Rulers are scree printed with black ink on high-contrast transparent vinyl.
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TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC: An Activities Based Curriculum for Teaching Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired
$50.00
Written specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), this book consists of over 400 activities and topic areas of discussion for instructing students in the Expanded Core Curriculum. The activities are age-neutral and multi-sensory and therefore can meet the needs of the broad range of students served on an itinerant caseload serving. The activities can be individualized to the students various learning modalities and scaffold in order to challenge students but ensure success. Select those activities that align with the student’s learning objects based on the student’s unique visual needs and academic and developmental level.
The core activities listed in the Activity section can be adapted to each thematic unit. These include:
Object Characteristic Activities
Quantity & Number Concepts
Time Concept Activities
Environment & Job Awareness Activities
Listening Skills Activities
Reading Foundation Activities
Reading Fluency Activities
Braille Basics Activities
Writing Activities
Tactual Efficiency Activities
Developing Skillful Hands Activities
Visual Efficiency Activities
Optical Device Instruction Activities
Recipe Activities
In addition to the core activity areas, each of the 32 Thematic Units incorporates additional unique ECC concepts and skills providing you with a years’ worth of activities. These units are cyclical and can be used repeatedly to help students build on prior knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. Each unit includes suggestions for activity adaptation associated with the unit. These include lists of objects, possible community based experiences, environmental print, poems, children & young reader books, children's songs, pop culture songs, movies, and websites.
Unique Concepts within the Units include:
Self Advocacy Activities (e.g. advocating for safe classroom, presenting to class on visual impairment, requesting help and more)
Social Skills Activities (e.g. Being bullied or teased, giving and receiving compliments, body language, "I" messages when upset and more)
Recreation & Leisure Activities (e.g. exploring interest areas, getting involved in clubs and sports, playing games, and more)
O&M Support Activities (e.g. Suggestions for community based experiences, dog guide information, locations in the school, bioptics, ride sharing, traffic signs, and more)
Independent Living Skill Activities (e.g. chores, being responsible, using tools, recipe suggestions, hygiene, staying healthy, labeling foods and products, and more)
Sensory Efficiency Activities (e.g. unique sensory experiences related to the unit, unique optical device activities, and more)
Compensatory Activities (e.g. organizing materials, study habits, and many unique concepts related to the unit)
Career & Vocational Activities (e.g. job awareness, completing applications, job task suggestions, and more)
Although the intended audience of this resource is fellow Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, special education teachers may find these activities beneficial to the students in their classrooms as the activities are multisensory and include life skills and concepts needed by all students. This resource, however, is not intended to take the place of a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI). Readers are advised to consult their own TVI’s regarding instruction in the ECC and the unique visual needs of the student’s served in their programs.
Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download link. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number.
Each download is intended for single instructor use per copyright. Thank you for helping me preserve the content and not distributing copies to third parties.
Product details
Digital pdf download: 364 pages (11 pt font)
Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
Visual Efficiency & Magnifier Fluency Grab & Go ECC Supplements
$20.00
This workbook is a pdf download that can be printed on demand for use with students. It contains five different types of worksheets for developing visual motor skills and near magnifier fluency skills particularly with the use of a video magnifier. As a supplement to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to each of the 32 ECC Thematic units. The worksheets, along with a list of environmental print for each thematic unit, are designed to help students refine their visual motor skills while reinforcing ECC concepts presented in the thematic units.
Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheet Details:
Digital pdf download: 210 pages
Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
