[blindkid] Braille instruction for 12 year old

Tue May 13 21:54:40 UTC 2014

Hi Amber,

I agree with the suggestions about assessing reading speed, and
working on Braille math skills (including diagram reading) and
technology. The bottom line is her reading speed should be equal to a
sighted sixth-grader's.
However, I would caution against adding goals just to fill up time. If
she doesn't really need one-on-one instruction to be excelling in
school (not just keeping up but excelling) I think an unnecessary
pull-out at her age could have a cost to her social life and
self-esteem. I know age 12 is about when I started to get annoyed and
embarrassed when my TVI (or O&M or APE) would pull me out because it
made me feel more different and no preteen wants to stand out. The
absolute worst was when a special teacher would drop in on my classes
especially unannounced. Sometimes these feelings of embarrassment
could lead to defiance. Of course, there are times when a pull-out or
instruction in-class is necessary regardless of the embarrassment
factor, but I just think it needs to be a balance. Being pulled out of
electives could also affect her social life. Having one-on-one
instruction before or after school or during a study hall might be
ideal for cutting down the embarrassment potential.
Further, I think any direct instruction is just a beginning. Much of
her learning will come from independent practice, be it independent
reading to build speed, computer homework assignments etc. Ideally the
TVI would provide very basic instruction and then hold her accountable
to practice her skills on her own time. This approach is not only more
effective in her long-term learning, but also should require less
direct instruction time.

Best,
Arielle

On 5/13/14, Marianne Denning <marianne at denningweb.com> wrote:
> UEB is Unified English Braille.  There will be a few minor changes to
> the braille code beginning in 2016. I believe students will pick them
> up very quickly.  I would focus more on nemeth code related to higher
> level math and technology.  I am teaching a fifth grade student how to
> complete most of his homework using his computer with a braille
> display attached.  IOS devices can also be very important.  I use many
> tools from my tool kit to complete my job.  I believe that is true for
> most of us who are blind.
>
> Learning to read charts, tables, graphs, maps... is very important for
> our blind students today.  I did not have these tools so some things I
> should have learned were skipped over.  If she learns to use these
> skills then it is critical that all materials be made accessible too
> her.
>
> I also believe it is never too early to begin learning self-advocacy
> skills.  There is a lot involved in developing a well-rounded,
> confident blind woman and it begins now.
> On 5/13/14, Alyssa <alyssahenson95 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I would definitely suggest continuing work with the Nemeth code as well
>> as
>> technology skills. As your daughter progresses through school, computer
>> technology will become increasingly important. She will need to perform
>> more
>> complex assignments which will include higher skills such as research
>> papers. Also, use of the iOS devices will be valuable.
>> Hope this helps,
>> Alyssa
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On May 13, 2014, at 11:29 AM, Amber Hall <amhall973 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Ok, I will have her check reading speed with Jerry Johns.
>>> I think her tactual skills are good.
>>> What would u suggest for her to work on her with for future grades?
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On May 13, 2014, at 12:20 PM, Marianne Denning
>>>> <marianne at denningweb.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> If her braille skills are good her TVI should focus on other areas if
>>>> needed.  How are her tactile skills?  How are her technology skills?
>>>> Ask the TVI to complete an assessment for reading speed.  I use the
>>>> Jerry Johns for this.  It gives good information for reading speed and
>>>> comprehension. The TVI can work on many skills your child will need in
>>>> future grades.
>>>>
>>>>> On 5/13/14, Amber Hall <amhall973 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> She is in. 6 th grade. And at grade level as far as her sighted peers.
>>>>> She
>>>>> is a fast 2 handed Braille reader not sure on words per minute.
>>>>> She knows the Braille code with the exception to symbols she
>>>>> encounters
>>>>> occasionally. Especially in math.
>>>>> Hope this helps.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On May 13, 2014, at 10:39 AM, Alyssa <alyssahenson95 at gmail.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello Amber. I believe we need a bit more information before making
>>>>>> suggestions. How proficient is your daughter with Braille now? What
>>>>>> needs
>>>>>> to be improved? By that I mean just her speed or actual knowledge of
>>>>>> Braille. Knowing these things will give you better answers.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On May 13, 2014, at 8:08 AM, Amber Hall <amhall973 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>> I'm having issues with my 12 year old daughters VI teacher wanting
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> dwindle her Braille instruction time to nothing.
>>>>>>> we had our case conference in March and it was to my understanding
>>>>>>> she
>>>>>>> would be in for 20 minutes a day. It's not a lot but hard to find
>>>>>>> any
>>>>>>> other time to pull her out of class.
>>>>>>> The problem is the 20 minutes is either being missed, used to give a
>>>>>>> test/ istep, or to come by and say " how r u doing? Are u having any
>>>>>>> problems? " To my daughter.
>>>>>>> Can any TVI 'a on here give me some things she can work on with my
>>>>>>> daughter? I feel like my problem is her missing or not using the
>>>>>>> time.
>>>>>>> But my daughter isn't having any issues right now. My first thing to
>>>>>>> say
>>>>>>> was a the things blind kids can't see that sighted kids get by
>>>>>>> looking
>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>> it, could b touched on.
>>>>>>> It just stresses me out, knowing she could b challenged instead of "
>>>>>>> getting by".
>>>>>>> Any comments  or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
>>>>>>> This isn't a great description of the situation,it's the shortened
>>>>>>> version.  I'm at work.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
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>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>>>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>>>> (513) 607-6053
>>>>
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>
>
> --
> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> (513) 607-6053
>
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