Working on independent, confident children !

I strive to have all my students work on being independent, confident students. We make mistakes and learn from them and we need to try many times to accomplish a task even when it is challenging. We work together to solve problems that are challenging (or seem impossible some days!)

In my class, I have many leaders - kids demonstrating an understanding that we all deserve to learn and be happy at school. Here are some tips that you can review with your child, so we can help our friend Julia to also feel successful at school too - filling her bucket and ours as well. 

1. Help her get from place to place by letting her hold your arm as the two of you walk together. Remember to steer your friend away from obstacles. If you are approaching a staircase, tell her whether the steps are going up or down. 

2. If there is a fire drill and you are next to Julia, ask her if she would like to take your arm to go outside.

3. You can read what is written on the board, or show her your work, if she needs to see it up close.

4. Tell your friend what is going on. Sometimes a conversation doesn't make sense when you can't see the expressions on someone's face.

5. Don't be afraid to say, 'look' or 'see'. She can see things better if they are close. 

6. If you say hello to Julia in the hallway or other busy areas of the school, say her name so she knows that you are talking to her and say, "This is ______" so she knows who is talking.  Remember you may need to use the microphone during noisy activities. 

7. Tell Julia when you are ready to pass something to her and tell her what it is. 

8. When you leave Julia, let her know. If would be great if you told her about what is going on, such as the teacher is at her desk or a reminder that the teacher has not asked us to put our game away yet. 

9. Students with a visual impairment often can't see expressions on people's faces, so they may interrupt without meaning to be rude

10. Please don't leave doors half open or closed. Also please pick up things off the floor and push in chairs.  Julia may get hurt if she walks into a door or trips on something.

11. Always put things back where they belong so Julia can find them easily.

12. Don't fuss over a friend with a visual impairment. She can do lots of things independently. If you don't know if your friend with visual impairment needs ask, please ask. 

13. REMEMBER, YOUR CLASSMATE WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IS A REGULAR KIDS, JUST LIKE YOU.