Shop for Visual Impairment Instructional Resources and Gifts

ECC Instructional Resources

Shop

Braille Jewelry

Shop

VI Shirts

Shop

Braille Greeting Cards

Shop

VI Drinkware

Shop

White Cane Tags/Zipper Pulls/Keyrings

Shop

Vision Bags & Totes

Shop

Recorded Presentations

Shop

Job Posting Service

Shop

Sensory Table Activities

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com

Although a sensory table is sometimes overlooked, particularly in the older grades, it provides a great opportunity for conducting early experiments with math and science concepts such as conservation of volume or cause and effect.
Keep in mind that many students may resist touching new or different textures for several reasons. Some students seem to be particularly sensitive to tactile stimulation and may be more easily irritated by certain types of textures. Others simply don’t like messy activities. The benefits of helping the student build up a greater tolerance for things will allow him to learn more about his world. Help the student to develop tactual and fine motor skills by encouraging the student to feel a variety of textures and provide opportunities for “messy” play. You may need to start with something like finding toys in a bowl of beans before playing with something“gooier”. Vary the materials placed in the table/tub. Alternate wet and dry. Add textures, scents, and sparkling confetti to make it more visually interesting. Use bright colored tools, toys, and objects that contrast with the sand, rocks, etc.
While the student is exploring materials in the dry or wet sensory area, encourage them to not only explore but also transfer items. Demonstrate how to transfer wet items with sponges, basters, etc. into another container. Similarly, demonstrate how to transfer dry items. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop coordination and hand strength and dexterity.

To encourage concept development, make available materials that encourage the student to think about what an object will do, such as sand that is sometimes wet and sometimes dry, requiring the student to think about whether to mold it, pour it, or sift it. Encourage students with low vision to use their vision to look at the movement of water splash in water table; water during experiments with sinking and floating; and fill different containers and see how long they take to sink.

Students can learn about measurement and tools when you provide measuring cups and measuring spoons. Challenge students to guess how many scoops it will take to fill a container or to think about which will fill the container quicker. What tools are best for the various materials?

Strategies & Activities for Students with Severe & Profound Disabilities (SIDPID) Recorded Presentation

$25.00

This presentation provides instructional and communication strategies for working with students with severe and profound disabilities (SIDPID) who are functioning between a birth to two-year-old level. It also provides suggestions for setting up sensory environments and creating adapted materials, so the student has activities to interact with no matter what position or area of the room they are in. I share lightbox activities and how to use iPads and computers as instructional tools. Finally, I share functional literacy activities that embed sensory experiences that you can create with your students. The activities are appropriate for the classroom but can also be used during distance learning. This presentation is packed full of activities you can begin using immediately with your students! 


Objectives:



  • Instructional & communication strategies for teaching SIDPID
  • How to create sensory stations and active learning spaces for students
  • Adapted materials for students with severe and profound disabilities
  • Lightbox activities for students
  • Using iPads as instructional tools
  • Using computers as instructional tools
  • Functional literacy activities


Includes:



  • Recorded Video Presentation
  • Transcript
  • Presentation handout for note taking


Request a Certificate of Completion

To receive a certificate of completion for 1 contact hour, complete the short survey on Google Forms. If you have any accessibility issues with the form, please don't hesitate to let me know and we can make other arrangements.  ​


System Requirements:

Presentations are recorded PowerPoint presentations in an MP4 file. Please note that the presentation pages are closed member pages available to individuals who have purchase access to the presentation. 
Shop
History of vi
Visual Impairments
Vi organizations & Agencies
VI book resources
VI Professionals
Professionalism
Instructional Planning
Professional Publications
Educational Programming
Individual Learning Differences
referrals
Medical vision exams
fvlma
additional evaluations
service planning
writing goals
compensatory skills
Guiding Principles
​Functional Skills
Community Based Experiences  ​
​​Concepts to Teach 

​Access to Instruction​
Organization & Study Skills ​​
Time Management  ​​
​​​​Virtual Instruction
​Movies & Assemblies
Lectures & Instruction
Board Work (Chalk, White, etc.)
​​Daily Schedule 
Morning Meeting 
Weather Check 
Dramatic Play 
Blocks 
Numbers & Counting
Cranmer Abacus Instruction
Algebra
Geometry & Spatial Sense
Measurement & Data ​
Early Literacy Experiences  ​
​Create Tactual Books
Reading Instruction
​Reading Efficiency ​​
Science Adaptations 
Social Studies Adaptations

Communication Modes
​Accessible Educational Materials
​​Individual Schedules & Communication Cards
Adjust Lighting  
Large Print
Optical Devices for Near 
Optical Devices for Distance 
Optical Device Use ​​
​Photocopying
Font Legibility
Increase Contrast
Pictures & Worksheets 
Keyboarding ​Instruction
Word Processing and Shortcuts
​Navigate Computer w/o a Mouse
Braille Code
Braille Instruction 
​Braille Instruction Materials
Writing Braille  
​Summer Reading (braille)
Signature & Handwriting ​​
Nemeth Braille Code
​Tactile Graphics Guidelines
Creating Tactile Graphics
​Tactile Graphics Instruction
​Teacher Made Materials 
​Labeling System
assistive technology
sensory efficiency
independent living
orientation & Mobility
career education
social skills
recreation & Leisure
self determination