Beginning with Braille: Literacy Instruction for Young Braille Learners

by Kansas Instructional Resource Center for the Visually Impaired (KIRC)

Meet In Person
April 13, 2023 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Check In
at 8:00 am

Course Fee

FREE

Course description

What should braille literacy instruction look like for the a young braille learner?  Come join the Kansas Instructional Resource Center (KIRC), Kansas State School for the Blind & TASN as we host Anna Swenson to discuss how to teach braille!

Anna Swenson is a retired teacher of students with a visual impairment who is currently a consultant for the American Printing House for the Blind (APH).  During her teaching career, she worked with numerous young braille learners in both itinerant and resource room settings, developing a passion for teaching reading and writing in braille.  Anna has published articles on teaching in the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness and is the author of Beginning with Braille: Firsthand Experiences with a Balanced Approach to Literacy from AFB Press.  For the past 10 years, she has been part of the writing team that is revising Building on Patterns, the braille literacy program from APH.


 Kansas School for the Blind Logo​    KIRC LogoTASN Logo​  

Learning Objectives

A solid foundation of literacy skills is important for all young children. When working with braille learners in kindergarten or the primary grades, teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) are not just teaching the braille code; they are also teaching reading and writing. This presentation will provide TSVIs with an overview of current best practices in teaching beginning literacy skills and discuss strategies, activities, and materials unique to braille instruction.

Objectives: 

  1. Summarize the results of the ABC Braille Study and discuss it's implications for teachers.
  2. Explain why it is important for young braille learners to read and write connected text at the same time they are learning about letters, sounds, and words.
  3. Provide scaffolded support to children as they read orally.
  4. Analyze children’s writing samples and plan instruction based on the stages of writing development.
  5. Select and/or create instructional strategies, activities, and materials for teaching beginning braille reading and writing that meet the needs of their own braille learners.
  6. List three strategies for adapting classroom materials simply and efficiently for children who use braille or dual media learners.

Refund Policy

Registration may be cancelled up to 14 days prior to the event for a full refund. Cancellations received within 14 days of the event will not be refunded. No-show registrations will also not be refunded.

Details

DATE & TIME
April 13, 2023 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Check In
at 8:00 am
Working lunch provided
LOCATION
Bishop Professional Development Center
3601 SW 31st Street Topeka, Kansas 66614
FORMAT
Meet In Person 7.0 Professional Learning Contact Hours
PROVIDER(S)
Kansas Instructional Resource Center for the Visually Impaired (KIRC)
CONTACT
Pam Arbeiter
913-424-3324
TRAINER
Anna Swenson
Teacher, Consultant, Author

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