A curriculum access tool to differentiate instruction for diverse learners.

1. Thematic Tactile Science Binder
A Curriculum Access Tool for Students
with Significant Multiple Disabilities

2. Presented By
Lisa Gadbois M.Ed / TVI
Maryland School for the Blind
410-444-5000 Ext. 1279
lisag@mdschblind.org
Sensorysciencelab.com

3. Introduction
•About Me
•About My Students
•Session Topic

4. National Science Teaching Standards
• Inquiry-based science instruction
• Actions taken to guide and facilitate
student learning.
• Development of environment that enable
students learning.
• Assessment of student comprehension

5. Challenges For Students

6. Challenges For Teachers

7. Access To Science Content
Inquiry Based
Instruction

8. Access To Science Content
Inquiry Based
Instruction
Nonfiction Picture
Books

13. Science and Literacy Merge
Benefits
• Illustrations activate visual learning
• Provide avenue to background knowledge
• Real experiences in students’ lives
• Focused topic
• Set a purpose for learning
• Increase comprehension of content
• Content is presented in an interesting way
• Target skills and goals
• Make abstract concepts concrete

14. Science as Investigation

15. Spark curiousity

16. Tactile experience

18. Phases of Inquiry

19. Engage Learner

20. Assess prior experience

21. Question

22. Explore

23. Discover

25. Review

26. Thematic Science Binder
Purpose
Make Science content and nonfiction
picture books accessible
Develop background knowledge
Offers repeated exposure to content
Provide experience with print – related
activities
Encourage book handling skills

32. Thematic Science Binder
Use
Guided group Inquiry Based lesson
Focused instructional strategies
Incorporated within Science Learning
Center
Individual / Independent practice of skills
Informal assessment tool

37. Thematic Science Binder
Format

39. Build a model

40. Follow a sequence

44. Conduct experiment

47. Learn facts

49. Thematic Science Binder
Included Materials
Print
Braille
Pictures
Objects
Tactile Illustrations

53. Binder Construction
• Binding
• Pages
• Background
• Fasteners
• Tactile / Visual illustration
• Adaptions to meet physical, cognitive
and visual needs

54. Thematic Topics
• Life Cycles
• Ecosystems
• Weather / Seasons
• Plants and Animal Study
• Magnetism
• Natural Resources
• Rocks and Minerals
• Chemical Reactions
• States of matter
• Motion and force
• Energy

59. Sidekick Materials
• Experience box
• Sequence board
• Discovery tray
• Task container
• Tactile illustration cards
• Tactile poster

60. Tactile cards

61. Binder Construction
• Binding
• Pages
• Background
• Tactual / Visual Markers
• Fasteners
• Adaptions / considerations for physical,
cognitive and visual needs

62. Sensory Tray

64. Magnetic Task

66. Story board

67. Sequence board

69. Prop box

70. Science Center
Main Elements
Setting and Lighting
Tactile Science Binder
Related Nonfiction Picture Books
Sidekick Materials
Guided / Independent Multi-Sensory Activity
Assisted Technology
Science Tools

79. Assistive Technology Integration
• Switch access
• Communication devices
• APH – SoundPage recorder
• Card reader
• TapIt Interactive Learning Station
• Talking book using Powerpoint or SwitchIt
Maker software.

81. APH SoundPage

83. Science Curricular Resources
• Perkins [Accessible Science]
www.perkinselearning.org/accessible-science
• Paths To Literacy www.pathstoliteracy.org
• Local nature and environmental centers
• APH www.aph.org
• Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
• Project Wild and Growing Up Wild
http://www.projectwold.org/
• Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com

84. Science Curricular Resources
Educational Wildlife Trunks