Seeing The World ThroughDifferent Eyes

Through Grandpa's Eyes

Part 2

Video Links Here

Day 1

Learning to live as one who is blind using other senses.

 The following can be done after color observation poems or as you see fit.

Have the children look at each other carefully to examine each others' features.

Allow them to use only their hands to touch all parts of each others face.

You can put them in groups of 3 or 4 or as needed but too many may be too difficult.

Repeat as much as possible so they get a feel for the texture of their partners facial structure.

Remind them that those who are blind have heigtnened senses other than sight and can identify people by touch as well as of course sound, but in this lesson it will only be touch.

After have them right down what they notice about the persons face such as pointy nose, fuzzy eyebrows etc.

Day 2

Repeat what was done on day 1.

Have them look at their list of descriptions of facial features.

Ask the children what they feel it would be like not to be able to see others faces?

Construct a web based on responses. The web can be labeled Emotions.

Blindfold one member of the group.

Guide them to another member and have them touch the child's face carefully.

Allow them to repeat until they think they may know who the child is.

When ready have them guess.

Repeat with other members of the group. (continued on next slide)

Day 2

After have them discuss their findings with their groups and as a whole class. Ask questions:

1. Was it difficult to see the persons face in your mind using touch?

2. How did you feel? Add to the emotion web.

3. How do you think this affects a blind persons life?

4. How does this relate to the story we read?

5. Have you ever felt any emotions like the ones on the emotion web? Tell about it.

6. What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of being blind are?

Day 3

Ask the children how the blind may be able to read?

Show the video about Louis Braille.

Have the children discuss what they learned.

Day 4

Explain to the children that they are going to learn to read and write the braille that Louis Braille

invented.

Show video.

Day 5

Repeat the video if necessary.

Provide the children with a worksheet showing the Braille system capital and lowercase.

Have them practice writing their names using the sheet in Braille with a pencil.

 

 

Day 6

Provide construction paper for the children, cut horizontally.

There should be enough folds cut vertically for each letter of their names.

Give each group a cup of lentils or split peas and glue.

Using the worksheet provided, have them configure the letters of their names on the top portion of each fold. Example: The first fold is for the first letter, etc. Allow to dry.

Days 7 & 8

Have them feel the letters they created. Allow them to repeat over and over. Place them in groups and have them feel each group

members letters. You may want to place them in groups where some

members have the same amount of letters in their names. Or on day 9 allow them to touch only the first two letters. This is only so they don't guess just by counting the amount of folds.

 

Day 9

Have the children place their braille papers in the center of the table.

Children should close their eyes and feel the letters.

Have them feel the letter and write the letter they think it is.

Day 10

Have children look at the results.

What were the conclusions?

Was braille easy for them to use?

Discuss how they felt.

Day 11

Have them write a list of what blind people might be able to do that we don't.

Cite Through Grandpa's Eyes and how he was able to hear the birds and identify and imagine them.

Day 12

Children can write an emotion poem.

Introduce the concept of poetry doesn't only come from observation it also comes from the heart. I have used the title “DEAR FRIEND”

Explain that they do not need to pity the blind but to understand the different ways their life is difficult.

Sample on the following page 

Day 12

DEAR FRIEND

I was you for one day

Suddenly, I did not see my friends face,

I could not see the puffy clouds,

I felt..

Scared

Sad

(any other emotions)

But, I know that maybe you can hear birds chirp a little louder.

You can feel with your fingers the ridges in leaves I don't

Usually bother to.

Day 13

Peer editing and revising.

How can they make it more descriptive?

Day 14

Publish and present DEAR FRIEND.

 

You may want to invite one who cannot see into class to have the children read their poems or find a school for the blind for them to share.