Most students I know love when they can learn through games. Most of my students also love music. Secret Code Braille is a game that incorporates both of those things to make for a fun and exciting braille lesson.
Materials
- Flash cards or a sheet of braille letter/word/number combinations
- I am working on letter identification with my student so the codes are of different letters. I usually do 3-5 letters at a time. We also do this activity with numbers. Your codes can be simple 2 letter codes or more letters and even a combination of words depending on your student’s level. It can be easily adapted to any level of student.
- Music
- I have a playlist loaded on my phone of popular kids songs that I use. Be sure that whatever you use has a very easy way to pause and play the music. A favorite song of the students is very motivating. (My student is currently into the Moana movie soundtrack).
Procedure
- Have the song ready to play on your music device.
- For every secret code on the flash card or sheet of braille the student reads correctly, play 10-15 seconds of the song. The secret code unlocks the music.
- At the end have your student unlock a “special secret code” to unlock the whole song. I usually tie in the skills we’ve been working on into the special secret code.
- Dance to the music and enjoy your success!
How can I use this in my lesson?
- Guided Practice: Read the secret codes along with your student, pointing out the specific skills you are working on. Enjoy the music together. You worked as a team to break the code!
- Independent practice: Have the student read the codes independently, using their newly learned skills to break the code and earn the song.
- Formative Assessment: To leave the braille room, or end the lesson, the student must read a secret code.
