The Maryland Common Core Frameworks for Braille:

Identifying the Next Generation Grade Level Braille Literacy

Needs of Students

Lisa Wright & Heather Johnson

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Grade level standards for braille aligned to the Common Core Prekindergarten through grade 12 English/Language Arts

Literary Braille Readiness: Hand movements, use of braille writer

Alphabet

Contractions

Textbook formats

Mathematics Nemeth Code

Tactile graphics

The MD Common Core Frameworks for Braille (MCCFB)

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Aligned to the Common Core, can be used by any State

Identify grade level standards for areas not previously

aligned Formats

Nemeth

Tactile graphics

Includes standards, checklists, and resource list Can be used for formative assessments and IEP goals

Why are the MCCFB Unique?

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Do YOU need to align your IEP Goals and Objectives for Braille to

content standards?

POLL

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MD has PreK standards that are not part of Common

Core

MD did not add any other additional unique standards

Only grade-level standards for braille, not

instructional strategies for teaching braille

It does not include any other skills beside braille

Things to Know About the MCCFB

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Introduction, References Standards

ELA by strandsMath by grades

Appendix AELA: Literacy Braille code and FormattingMathematics: Nemeth Braille code and tactile graphics

Appendix B: Acronyms and Definitions Appendix C: Resources Appendix D: Instructional Materials Appendix E: ELA: Tactile Editing Marks

How the Documents are Organized

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Let’s Look at the Documents…

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http://mdk12.org/instruction/commoncore/braille/index.html

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Range of Reading Informational Text - biographies, speeches, letters, newspaper

articlesFunctional text: forms, procedures, directions, and information

displayed in graphs, charts, or maps

Complexity of Reading – word/sentence/passage length, higher levels of meaning/ purpose, and higher vocabulary/language and knowledge demands

Reading fluency – reading text with speed, accuracy, and proper expression.

English/Language ArtsKey Highlights

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Knowledge of all literary contractions by the end of grade 2

Knowledge of all punctuation and braille signs of composition by the end of grade 3

Knowledge of some computer braille code (websites, email addresses)

Grade level reading skills: vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, reading speed

Access to text and multimediaCommon Core Standards Appendix B Text Exemplars:

http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_B.pdf

Impact for Braille Readers

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Print features – table of contents, index, glossary, appendix, pronunciation guide

Organizational aids – bold/colored print, italics, bullets, titles, headings, subheadings, captions, labels, sidebars

Graphic aids – diagrams, graphs, figures, maps, charts/tables, timelines

Illustrations – photographs, drawings

Text Features

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Need to know “Braille Formats” http://www.brailleauthority.org/formats/2011manual-web/index.html

Need to know “Guidelines and Standards for Tactile Graphics (2010) – diagrams, maps, graphs, tables, timelines http://www.brailleauthority.org/tg/web-manual/index.html

Impact for TVIs and Braille Readers

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Primarily nonfiction: argument, opinion, informative/explanatory

Research (Grade 6 – bibliography)Cite evidence, analyze content, record and

analyze dataPrepare product for publication/presentation Integration of technology

Writing and Research

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Keyboarding skills – type pages within a single sittingGrade 4: 1 page, Grade 5: 2 pages, Grade 6: 3 pages

Presentation software, word processing, and spreadsheets Mainstream devices (iPad, laptop/desktop)

Collaboration and shared writing Digital Texts Internet skills

Web navigationContribute to a learning communityUsing online resourcesAccessible web tools

Technology Skills Impact for Braille Readers

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What do YOU need to learn more about to ensure braille readers

meet grade level English/Language Arts standards?

POLL

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Narrow scope and deepen understanding

Procedural skill and fluency – quickly and accurately

Application: to real world and apply skills

Rigor of skills

Key Highlights in Math

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The MCCFB Mathematics

Learn Nemeth Code numerals and symbols

beginning in Prekindergarten

New Nemeth Code introduced at every grade level

through high school

Emphasis on reading and creating Tactile Graphics  

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Pre-K through grade 5 – focus is computation of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Measurement and geometry tied to numbers and operations

Middle school – ratio, proportions, statistics, algebra, foundations of geometry

High School – functions, statistics, geometry, algebra

Key Highlights in Math

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Let’s Look at the MCCFB Mathematics

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http://mdk12.org/instruction/commoncore/braille/index.html

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Expectations for participation by all in higher level

mathematics (Algebra 1 and 2 and Geometry)

Strong knowledge of Nemeth Code

Strong skills in reading tactile graphics

Guidelines and Standards for Tactile Graphics (2010) –

diagrams, maps, graphs, tables, timelines http://

www.brailleauthority.org/tg/web-manual/index.html

Impact for TVIs and Braille Readers

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Let’s Look at the Appendix A Charts…

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http://mdk12.org/instruction/commoncore/braille/index.html

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What do YOU need to learn more about to ensure braille readers meet grade level Mathematics?

POLL

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Same content.

High expectations.

Identified needed braille skills.

Maryland Common Core State Curriculum Frameworks for Braille

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Maryland Common Core State Curriculum Frameworks for Braille

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