[Pibe-division] The term, pre-Braille

Tue Dec 20 18:15:37 UTC 2016

Thank you for this very thoughtful response.

On Tue, Dec 20, 2016 at 12:17 PM, Diane.Brauner--- via PIBE-Division <
pibe-division at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> I am a firm believer in “tools in the toolbox”, meaning that we try all
> kinds of activities to find what works best for a student.  Yes, typically
> very young students work through a series of “pre-reading” tasks that
> include patterns, identifying shapes, sequences, same/different, numbers,
> spatial concepts, etc. - all of which are mainstream print reading
> readiness skills as well as “braille” readiness skills.  Our braille
> students also learn to identify things tactually (different textures),
> braille dot numbers and physical skills such as isolated finger strength
> (in order to use a Perkins Brailler).  At the same time, we fill the
> student’s environment with written words - print words for kids who will
> read visually and braille words for student who will be braille readers.
> We also provide fun opportunities to scribble - paper and pencil/crayons or
> paper and braille writer.  We use all the tools available!  In recent
> years, we include fun educational games and interactive stories on a tablet
> - including accessible educational games and interactive stories for
> students who are visually impaired.
>
> The best teachers are able to discover what motivates a student and fills
> their lessons with creative activities based on the student’s motivation
> and level - building towards the goal of reading.  Think about how much
> learning goes on in a typical Circle Time activity in a mainstream
> preschool classroom - songs, games, stories, and activities are all rolled
> into reading readiness!  This student who is on the autism spectrum may not
> reach the same reading/pre-reading milestones through the same pathways.
> It has been my experience that young autistic kids often relate to iPad
> activities better than typical tactile shape activities.  With an iPad, the
> student has anticipated, structured cause and effect interactions,
> especially when the app includes music.  Encouraging the student to explore
> and interact with an app in his/her own unique way can lead into the goals
> of matching, identifying shapes, same/different, interacting with stories,
> etc.  An iPad paired with a braille display is much easier for little
> fingers to press the keys, the digital braille is crisper, and there are
> some really fun apps (with songs, music, etc.) to motivate the young
> student. (There are numerous posts on Paths to Technology website that
> provide information on how TVIs are using the iPad and braille display to
> teach reading readiness and beginning braille skills.  There are also
> numerous ideas on reading readiness activities on the Paths to Literacy
> website.)
>
> Learning braille dot numbers is important to becoming a strong braille
> reader - but there are multiple paths that will lead to mastery of this
> goal.  This student might initially do better with emersion into sight
> words in braille, such as being exposed to and learning his name in braille
> and doing other reading readiness activities.
>
> You are right - 30 minutes once a week is not enough time to teach any
> student to read print or braille words!  Unfortunately, most preschool VI
> programs do limit the instruction to once a week with the expectation that
> the student is also receiving reading readiness through classroom
> activities with his/her general education teacher.  In NC, we often overlap
> that last preschool year; both the TVI who works in the preschool program
> working on a variety of  “readiness” skills and the TVI who works in the
> school system covering the more “advanced” braille-type skills.  The school
> system TVI can often work with the student multiple times a week, which
> significantly increases the opportunities for the student to make reading
> readiness progress.  (To keep from officially “overlapping”, the IEP will
> state which TVI is responsible for which goals - typically the school TVI
> is responsible only for introducing braille - in whatever terms that makes
> sense for the student’s current level.)
>
> Of course, teaching a preschooler is truly a “TEAM” effort.  The team
> consists of the classroom teacher, the preschool TVI, the school TVI, the
> therapists, and the family - at this preschool level, everyone will be
> working on similar long term goals in different ways.  Communication and
> consistency between members of the team is so important!
>
> Diane
>
>
> On Dec 20, 2016, at 11:04 AM, Marianne Denning via PIBE-Division <
> pibe-division at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-division at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>
> I agree with everything you and Carlton are saying. A student who
> participated in our BELL program is attending a preschool. He sees a TVI
> once a week for 30 minutes with no follow up between lessons. He is 5, can
> speak some but doesn't and is on the autism spectrum. The TVI says she will
> not begin teaching braille until he can identify shapes like stars,
> rectangles and triangles. Another student is in preschool and the TVI won't
> provide braille instruction until he can identify each dot number
> correctly. They both use the term "prebraille," so I am trying to
> understand what either of these concepts have to do with braille. Yes, the
> one student will eventually need to identify that an m is dots 1, 3 and 4
> but I don't think that is necessary in preschool. I would like your
> thoughts please. I would begin by teaching one of these students to
> identify his name or something else that is important to him. I wouldn't
> give up even if it takes time. I also strongly believe that 30 minutes 1
> time per week is way too little. If he is having a bad day the one day the
> TVI comes then he doesn't get anything for another week.
>
> On Mon, Dec 19, 2016 at 9:17 AM, Dr. Denise M. Robinson via PIBE-Division <
> pibe-division at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-division at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
> We need to teach braille to blind just as print to sighted--same time,
> same pace or faster if the kid is ready--jump in and just do it.
>
> If TVIs used the exact same materials as the teachers teaching sighted,
> teaching those braille contractions as words are introduced JUST like the
> teachers are to the sighted, our blind students would keep pace with what
> is going on in the classroom
>
>        Dr Denise
>
> Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D.
> CEO, TechVision, LLC
> Specialist in technology, teaching, training for blind/low vision
> 423-573-6413<tel:(423)%20573-6413>
>
> Website with hundreds of informational articles & lessons on PC, Office
> products, Mac, iPad/iTools and more, all done with keystrokes:
> www.yourtechvision.com <http://cp.mcafee.com/d/FZsS938O81NJ5xVdd-
> ZQmjtPqdQkQS6761NJ6Waqr30UQsICQrEFFIcecf6QkkknPhOVtVUSxbovN2eJM-8am-
> 9mkas01dHv4Ha5e00CQ4hPVEVvuvW_8If3CmnHZuVtddxXANPz3bZNTkhjmKCHtZfBgY-
> F6lK1FJ4SYrLObxEVuhhpjKYrKr015GJNDZypCl9lxO-6RF4fbEicOFaI2V2Hsbvg5gt80Tw09
> JCVEVjudwLQzh0qmMJ8xVt2hCl9lwqnjh02ivCy2vNl0cQgbhYKcNShV_CS4juqms_T-v>
>
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it." --Chinese Proverb
>
> Computers are incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid: humans are incredibly
> slow, inaccurate and brilliant; together they are powerful beyond
> imagination.
> --Albert Einstein
>
> It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
> --Walt Disney
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: "Walker, Carlton via PIBE-Division" <pibe-division at nfbnet.org<
> mailto:pibe-division at nfbnet.org>>
> To: "pibe-division at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-division at nfbnet.org>" <
> pibe-division at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-division at nfbnet.org>>
> Cc: "Walker, Carlton" <CWalker at nfb.org<mailto:CWalker at nfb.org>>
> Sent: Monday, December 19, 2016 9:02 AM
> Subject: [Pibe-division] The term, pre-Braille
>
> Regarding the term, pre-Braille:
>
> While the origin of this term may have been honorable (referencing the
> tactile skills needed to read Brialle efficiently and effectively, I fear
> that this term is now widely being used to stunt students' progress in
> Braille.
>
> "Pre-Braille" sounds like a big hurdle to overcome, however, it is simply
> part of the umbrella term, "pre-reading." Concepts of left and right, up
> and down, spaces indicating the end of words, etc. are common to both print
> and Braille users. Learning to recognize and differentiate text letters and
> to write them effectively is common is both print and Braille users.
> Principles of phonics and morphology are common to print and Braille users.
>
> Regular educators do not use the term "pre-print;" they refer to this
> process is "pre-reading." To my mind, the term "pre-Braille" is
> segregationist. The term does nothing but separate Braille learners from
> their print peers. The term "pre-reader" is good enough for print learners,
> and it is applicable and useful for Braille learners.
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> Carlton
>
>
> Carlton Anne Cook Walker, J.D., M.B.A., M.Ed.
> Manager of Braille Education Programs
> 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
> (410) 659-9314, extension 2225<tel:(410)%20659-9314> | cwalker at nfb.org
> <mailto:cwalker at nfb.org>
> Twitter: @BrailleMom
>
>
>
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
> who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we
> work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: PIBE-Division [mailto:pibe-division-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-
> division-bounces at nfbnet.org>] On Behalf Of pibe-division-request at nfbnet.
> org<mailto:pibe-division-request at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, December 19, 2016 7:00 AM
> To: pibe-division at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-division at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: PIBE-Division Digest, Vol 103, Issue 1
>
> Send PIBE-Division mailing list submissions to
> pibe-division at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-division at nfbnet.org>
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/pibe-division_nfbnet.org<
> http://cp.mcafee.com/d/avndyhJ5xVdd-ZQmjtPqdQkQS6761NJ6Waqr30UQsIC
> QrEFFIcecf6QkkknPhOVtVUSxbovN2eJM-8am-9mkas01dHv4Ha5e00CQ4hPVEVvuvW_
> 8If3CmnHZuVtddxXANPz3bZNTkhjmKCHtZfBgY-F6lK1FJcSYrLObxEVuhhpjKYrKr01M
> t80Tw0e2qKMM-l9OwXn5F4fbEicOFaI1m3F06Y01dHi8ungApBilo5O5mUm-
> wawWg1L00jrdPhOCYr1vF6y0QJxqh3OW4zcGiH0QKCy04A_d44_
> yG0pEwmzVspzIzP_dI8C_2TmTBH9>
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> pibe-division-request at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-division-request at nfbnet.org>
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> pibe-division-owner at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-division-owner at nfbnet.org>
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than
> "Re: Contents of PIBE-Division digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Prebraille (Marianne Denning)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2016 18:45:41 -0500
> From: Marianne Denning <marianne at denningweb.com<mailto:
> marianne at denningweb.com>>
> To: Professionals in Blindness Education Division List
> <pibe-division at nfbnet.org<mailto:pibe-division at nfbnet.org>>
> Subject: [Pibe-division] Prebraille
> Message-ID:
> <CANZu-Jj98nekY=fsQfVqWCiFWCzK0bPc+--1xD2JHybfEj+4qg at mail.gmail.com
> <mailto:fsQfVqWCiFWCzK0bPc%2B--1xD2JHybfEj%2B4qg at mail.gmail.com>>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Can someone please explain prebraille and why TVIs insist on prebraille
> before teaching braille? I have concerns about its use but want to better
> understand the reasoning.
>
> --
> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> (513) 607-6053<tel:(513)%20607-6053>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/pibe-division_nfbnet.org/
> attachments/20161218/7bb3f2e5/attachment-0001.html<http://cp.mcafee.com/d/
> 5fHCNAe4zqb3OqrZXEICXCQrEFFIcec3zqdQkQS61NEVpdEThjjoosoudEEEELCzBOXPNJ2mM_
> y4trxYgkJYiIEkU02rm-9mkas01dE8zDPhO-Y_R-hou7cILnWZOWqr3T9zD66nXzKEyCJt
> dmXWvaxVZicHs3jr9JUTvAn3hOYyyODtUTsS03wWg1L00smAJYhf5F4fbEic
> OFaI1m3F06Y01PpPSNdnUjFytQn4kQnI7423bGvLVIVXoCHY9BXTKzMedHi8
> ungApBilo5O5mUm-wawWg1L00jrdPhOCYr1vF6y0QJxqh3OW4zcGiH0QKCy04A_d44_
> yG0pEwmzVspzIzP_dI8CY1dvqCyGXnXk>>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Subject: Digest Footer
>
> _______________________________________________
> PIBE-Division mailing list
> PIBE-Division at nfbnet.org<mailto:PIBE-Division at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/pibe-division_nfbnet.org<
> http://cp.mcafee.com/d/k-Kr40USyMYCC_uWb9KVJ6Waqr33z0USzt5ddxwsqemj
> qdQkQS6767zqaaabVEVsKYYrgBIfUx7mUv45bv4Ha5e00CRLylB2D00jq28V
> YQsLLfZvAm7xPbbR-LsKCCMZOoVNxB-UXG8FHnjlK-DOEuvkzaT0QSMrudTV5MQsL8EIFTud
> Tdw0UeA0rM071dnoovaAVgtHyQy7BQ96pkBm0H1Qw3u00CRF4fbEicOFaI2V
> 2Hsbvg5gt80Tw09JCVEVjudwLQzh0qmMJ8xVt2hCl9lwqnjh02ivCy2vNl0c
> QgbhYKcNShV_CS4jqLLNIn7fdMsS>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of PIBE-Division Digest, Vol 103, Issue 1
> *********************************************
>
> _______________________________________________
> PIBE-Division mailing list
> PIBE-Division at nfbnet.org<mailto:PIBE-Division at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/pibe-division_nfbnet.org<
> http://cp.mcafee.com/d/5fHCN0g4x8qdEIf9FLTKyOrKrhKyCC
> MMUMedEThjjoo76zBASzt5ddxxNxUSyyyy-qenbLf6Q9r3-
> 8hRK7N1iTNaOxjw09JrUBpgFM04Swyevd7bXP_nV5xUsOOZvHTbFFIfsCesopvKeWyaq
> RQRrLFYG7DR8OJMddLCTzt-hsd7bOabatTztPo0e3F06Y01MjlS67
> OFek7qUJ8xVt2hCl9lwaMt80Tw09Jqh3OW4zcGiH0KgGT2TQ1k7i0dU02rpK
> qekTzobZ8Qg6BIbi8ungApBilo6BQQg0ADVEwDYlg3d42QvbzctAuvVJx4TGBu>
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> PIBE-Division:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/pibe-division_nfbnet.
> org/dmehlenbacher%40yahoo.com<http://cp.mcafee.com/d/
> 1jWVIp43qb3OqrZXEICXCQrEFFIcec3zqdQkQS61NEVpdEThjjoosoudEEEELCzBOXPNJ2mM_
> y4trxYgkJYiIEkU02rm-9mkas01dE8zDPhO-Y_R-hou7cILnWZOWqr3T9zD66nXzKEyCJt
> dmXWvaxVZicHs3jrxJUTvAn3hOYyyODtUTsS03wWg1L00s4RtxBlFOH2Cbi8
> ungApBilo2I7i0dU03y2LAP_wgSNfUzSbBJ9RHOVJqh3OW4zcGiH0K
> gGT2TQ1k7i0dU02rpKqekTzobZ8Qg6BIbi8ungApBilo6BQQg0ADVEwDYlg3
> d42QvbzctAuvVJx4T69Z96IQuRlB>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PIBE-Division mailing list
> PIBE-Division at nfbnet.org<mailto:PIBE-Division at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/pibe-division_nfbnet.org<
> http://cp.mcafee.com/d/FZsSd6Qm7AQTXThpdTdEThjjooso76
> QrEFFIc3zhOOrhKyCCMMUMYrhhhhvd7bBTDzq4Jx_48WT3UwFrUBpgFM04SJYiIEkU02rgh
> 7fCzBZV_HYyMYeppuLRXBQQS7Kj7eccLT7th5dqWqJTQ-
> l3PWApmU6CNNJUTvAn3hOYyyODtUTsS03wWg1L00s4RtxxYGjB1SKbi8ungA
> pBilo2I7i0dU02rmAgYKx8PaAGMbAaJMJZ0l1Qw3u00CSrCzBdUS2_
> id41Fr2Qy7BQ96pkBm1Ftd4099-q89_5k0Ph0J7OUP7p7D-rohdXGou>
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> PIBE-Division:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/pibe-division_nfbnet.
> org/marianne%40denningweb.com<http://cp.mcafee.com/d/FZsS93hJ5xVdd-
> ZQmjtPqdQkQS6761NJ6Waqr30UQsICQrEFFIcecf6QkkknPhOVtVUSxbovN2eJM-8am-
> 9mkas01dHv4Ha5e00CQ4hPVEVvuvW_8If3CmnHZuVtddxXANPz3bZNTkhjmKCHtZfBgY-
> F6lK1FJUSYrLObxEVuhhpjKYrKr01Mt80Tw0e2qKMOGQVlxj5F4fbEicOFaI
> 1m3F06Y01NnoOS4f7Ing-49g8w2VsSJ8xVt2hCl9lwn8lrxrW0G3F06Y01dITd7arNI5-
> Aq83iS5F4fbEicOFaI3iWq80ijYQgj-aE1Cy1qfBNCeOffYSMyr03J3>
>
>
>
> --
> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> (513) 607-6053
> _______________________________________________
> PIBE-Division mailing list
> PIBE-Division at nfbnet.org<mailto:PIBE-Division at nfbnet.org>
> http://cp.mcafee.com/d/1jWVIp6xASyMYCC_uWb9KVJ6Waqr33z0USzt5ddxwsqemj
> qdQkQS6767zqaaabVEVsKYYrgBIfUx7mUv45bv4Ha5e00CRLylB2D00jq28V
> YQsLLfZvAm7xPbbR-LsKCCMZOoVNxB-UXG8FHnjlK-DOEuvkzaT0QSyrjdTV5MQsL8EIFTud
> Tdw0UeA0rM071dnoovaAVgtHyQy7BQ96pkBm0H1Qw3u00CRF4fbEicOFaI2V
> 2Hsbvg5gt80Tw09JCVEVjudwLQzh0qmMJ8xVt2hCl9lwqnjh02ivCy2vNl0c
> QgbhYKcNShV_CS4jqxm_2IJ-
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> PIBE-Division:
> http://cp.mcafee.com/d/FZsS920ArhoujjvLt5ATsSzt5ddxxN
> wsrhKyCCMMed7b9J6Waqr33z3NJ5555YQsKnuudEiS7YgzHsfy2BLylB2D00
> jqTNaOxjw09J14s-qenTD-LOb3MVBBW_nKnjjouVcsUMO_
> stR4kRHFGTvjVkffGhBrwqrjdFCXYyUqenAkmkXL6XCM0s7i0dU03wCHIcGJ
> elokNqh3OW4zcGiH0lwWg1L00sgBIfUx7mUv4uNtrUBpgFM04SJ8xVt2hCl9
> lwn8lrxrW0G3F06Y01dITd7arNI5-Aq83iS5F4fbEicOFaI3iWq80ijYQgj
> -aE1Cy1qfBNCeOffYSMyrLk2qf-WjJgbE
>
> _______________________________________________
> PIBE-Division mailing list
> PIBE-Division at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/pibe-division_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> PIBE-Division:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/pibe-division_nfbnet.
> org/marianne%40denningweb.com

-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/pibe-division_nfbnet.org/attachments/20161220/0cab3dda/attachment.html>