Adapting the Environment for Independence

Submitted by sarahfields on Aug 26, 2013
Workstation with materials in boxes marked with the object, print and braille

Here's a way to adapt a work/art station by substituting the picture with the actual object.  By pairing the object with the large print and braille word, it gives kids a "hands on" opportunity to experience environmental literacy. This will lead to an understanding of signs and billboards that are encountered in the environment but unreachable.  When there is a matching braille/large print label on the shelf, there is an opportunity for letter matching and independent access and clean up to the activity.

Materials: 

Work boxes (plastic or cardboard) with materials for art and writing:  

  • scissors
  • crayons
  • markers
  • pencils
  • glue
  • paints
  • paint brushes
  • paint trays
  • play dough
  • play dough toys
  • templates
  • paper scraps
  • art scraps (feathers, tactile paper, yarn...)
  • stickers
  • stamps.

Braille and print labels and hot glue to afix the object to the outside of the box.

Procedure: 

Hot glue the objects to the outside of the box.  Affix a large print and braille label on both the box and the shelf where the box is kept.

Variations: 

This same idea can be done with toys such as legos, blocks, figures, plastic animals...etc.

 

independence collage

 

Common Core and Braille Standards
Foundational Skills: 
RF.K.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
RF.K.1d Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
Kindergarten - Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Vocabulary Development : 
K.1.3 Understand that brailled materials provide information.
K.1.6 Recognize and name all uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
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