Title – Decoding Braille

By – Paul Harrop

Subject – Social Studies, Language Arts, Other

Grade Level – mid to upper elementary

You Need:

Access to a graphics collection that has the Braille Symbols

CD ROM encyclopedia

Word Processing or drawing program (preferably AppleWorks or ClarisWorks)

The children were studying communication. We looked at how the blind communicate, specifically Braille.

Preparation

Make an AppleWorks library or similar collection of the Braille Symbols for the children to use.

Make a number of printed copies of the Braille alphabet

Have a number of secret messages made in the AppleWorks drawing program with a text box under neath the messages where the children can type as they decode.

Sequence

Ask the children what they know about how the blind communicate.

Discuss their answers and lead into a discussion about Braille.

Research Braille on a CDROM encyclopedia or the Internet.

Present the children with the secret messages and instruct them on how to decode them.

Once the children have completed these tasks instruct them on how to use the Braille graphics library you have created to make their own secret messages.

Once checked by the teacher, have the children print their work and gives to others to decode.

E-Mail

Paul Harrop

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