Understanding Our Differences
Today, third graders had the opportunity to experience a special program run by Understanding Our Differences. As a way to enrich our physical science units on sound and light, Understanding Our Differences has come in twice to teach the children more about what it's like for individuals who are deaf/hearing impaired or blind/low-vision.
After an introduction that included a conversation around text from Leviticus 19:14 (You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord), the students were divided into three groups that rotated through three stations. In one station, they explored mobility, learning more about how a person who is blind might navigate their environments, including with guides, assistive devices, and service dogs. In another station, they closed their eyes and handled different objects. They talked about strategies/adaptations that need to be employed so that those who are blind can identify/recognize they objects they are holding. Finally, the kids used special typewriters that allowed them to write their names in Braille.
We asked them this morning: If you were blind, what would you most miss seeing? Below are some of their responses, most shared by many of the children...
My family
My friends
Wildlife
My pet
Sports games (especially Patriots games!)
Enjoy the photos!
(And a very special thank you to Jen Spindt, Talia Valkin, and Danielle Friedman...our fearless volunteers who took on the vivacious energy of students at the start of their school day!)
After an introduction that included a conversation around text from Leviticus 19:14 (You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord), the students were divided into three groups that rotated through three stations. In one station, they explored mobility, learning more about how a person who is blind might navigate their environments, including with guides, assistive devices, and service dogs. In another station, they closed their eyes and handled different objects. They talked about strategies/adaptations that need to be employed so that those who are blind can identify/recognize they objects they are holding. Finally, the kids used special typewriters that allowed them to write their names in Braille.
We asked them this morning: If you were blind, what would you most miss seeing? Below are some of their responses, most shared by many of the children...
My family
My friends
Wildlife
My pet
Sports games (especially Patriots games!)
Enjoy the photos!
(And a very special thank you to Jen Spindt, Talia Valkin, and Danielle Friedman...our fearless volunteers who took on the vivacious energy of students at the start of their school day!)
