[Nfbwv-talk] December BELL Notes

Wed Jan 4 21:00:56 UTC 2017

NFB BELL Notes

Volume 2017, Number 9

December 30, 2016

Jingles
Matching donations

Many employers support their employees' charity donations by matching a portion of the funds an employee donates. Through these programs, your NFB BELL Academy donors can double their gifts to support your efforts to transform the lives of blind students in your state.

Ask your donors whether their employers offer gift matching programs. If they don't know, they can ask their human resources department. Here is a partial list of companies which have matching gift programs<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6227&qid=1510658>.

Con calore (with warmth)
Music for NFB BELL Academy

Holiday music may be on the wane, but NFB BELL Academy music rings year-round. We know that music warms our hearts and brings us together. Please find below links to songs about NFB BELL Academy, Braille, and cane travel for use at your NFB BELL Academy.

  *   The NFB BELL Academy song<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6228&qid=1510658>-a Dropbox link to an original composition; a Word document
  *   Songs of NFB BELL Academy<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6229&qid=1510658>-a Dropbox link to a Word document containing links to the following songs, both written out and as QR codes
     *   Braille is Beautiful-a YouTube video
     *   Tap That-a YouTube video
     *   Live the Life You Want-a YouTube video
     *   Louis, Louis<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6230&qid=1510658>-Dropbox link to an MP3 which must be downloaded to play
     *   Braille Rap Song<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6231&qid=1510658>-an MP3
     *   All About That Braille<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6232&qid=1510658>-a music file on SoundCloud

Cadenza (initially, an improvision, later a written passage featuring skills)
Documenting successful learning activities

We have developed the NFB BELL Academy curriculum by recording successful activities at individual NFB BELL Academy sites and putting them in our lesson plan format to share with one another. As NFB BELL Academy has grown, so have the number of great ideas.

Several veterans have offered to help transform these lesson ideas into formal NFB BELL Academy lesson plans. If you are interested in getting great lessons into lesson plan format, please find some Dropbox links which may be helpful in this endeavor.

  *   "Lesson Plan Parking" folder<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6233&qid=1510658>
     *   This folder contains all materials related to this project
  *   "Lesson Plan Template" document<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6234&qid=1510658>
     *   Please copy this document to your own computer and use it to set forth the elements of each lesson plan.
     *   If you are unsure about the category into which the lesson fits or about any of the elements of the lesson plan (particularly "Objective," please leave them blank.
  *   "Idea Dumping Ground" folder<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6235&qid=1510658>
     *   This folder contains many items. In the main folder, please find ideas submitted from NFB BELL Academy sites.
     *   "STEM-Math" folder<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6236&qid=1510658>
        *   This folder contains ideas from NFB BELL Academy sites on the topic of mathematics.
     *   "STEM-Science" folder<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6237&qid=1510658>
        *   This folder contains ideas from NFB BELL Academy sites on the topic of science.
     *   "Ideas from the Internet--not necessarily tested at BELL Academy" folder<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6238&qid=1510658>
        *   This folder contains ideas gathered by your NFB BELL Academy team from internet sources. These ideas may or may not have been used at NFB BELL Academy sites.
  *   "Final Plans" folder<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6239&qid=1510658>
     *   Please place final lesson plans in this folder.
     *   Please send an email to BELL at nfb.org<mailto:BELL at nfb.org> to alert us that there are lessons available in the "Final Plans" folder.
     *   Alternatively, please feel free to submit your final lesson plans directly to us at BELL at nfb.org<mailto:BELL at nfb.org>.

Please do not hesitate to put these lesson ideas and others (including yours) into the NFB BELL Academy lesson plan template format. Please know that your NFB BELL Academy team appreciates any and all assistance you can provide.

Ostinato (a repeated phrase; obstinate, persistent)

Information from previous newsletters

  *   Your online access to important NFB BELL Academy documents continues. You can follow these links to find the Dropbox folder for 2016-2017 NFB BELL Academy documents<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6240&qid=1510658> and the 2015-2016 documents for NFB BELL Academy<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6241&qid=1510658>.
  *   Please note that there is an opportunity for a $500 grant from Family First Braille<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6242&qid=1510658>. This opportunity was limited to families only, but it is now open to nonprofit organizations. The grant is awarded twice per year, and is available for purchase of assistive technology, supplies, or other items related to the special needs created by blindness.
  *   Your affiliate's FAQ (frequently asked questions) page serves as an information portal to families and educators for all NFB BELL Academy sites hosted by your affiliate. Please fill out your affiliate's FAQ information web form<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6243&qid=1510658> as soon as you have determined dates and other important information.
  *   The 2017 NFB BELL Academy Save the Date flyer<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6244&qid=1510658> is now available. The flyer contains text boxes for you to enter information about your NFB BELL Academy site or sites. You may print the flyers or use them electronically (through a link on your affiliate's website or via email). A description of the Save the Date flyer<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6245&qid=1510658> is also available in Dropbox.
  *   You may access all past copies of the NFB BELL Notes newsletter by following this NFB BELL Notes Archive Dropbox link<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6246&qid=1510658>. Please feel free to download any of the materials, but please refrain from making changes to them.
  *   You may access compiled notes from each set of NFB BELL Academy conference calls via this Dropbox link: NFB BELL Academy Conference Call Notes Archive<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6247&qid=1510658>.
  *   Dropbox link to the "Dear Montessori School Director" letter<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6248&qid=1510658> which Carla McQullian has written to introduce your NFB BELL Academy to your local Montessori school director. Carla has also offered to communicate directly with Montessori school directors on your behalf. Please contact her directly for more information at president at nfb-oregon.org<mailto:president at nfb-oregon.org>.

Fermata
NFB One Minute Message

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

200 East Wells Street
at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, MD 21230
United States

National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, MD 21230
United States
(410) 659-9314

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