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Activity and strategy

UEB Lesson 3: New Spacing in UEB

Lessons to help braille students make the transition from EBAE (English Braille American Edition) to UEB (Unified English Braille).

This post is the third in a series of lessons on teaching students who are braille readers to make the transition to UEB.  All lessons are by Catherine Summ and Suzanne Cappiello, who both work as Education Consultants for the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DORS-BESB) in CT. See the full UEB Curriculum with all lessons


Goal:

The student will be able to use spacing between words in UEB (Unified English Braille) that were previously joined together in EBAE (English Braille American Edition) : 

and    for     of      the     with     a

For an explanation of the changes refer to the handout  “Overview of Changes from Current Literary Braille to Unified English Braille” authored by Braille Authority of North America, March 2013, www.brailleauthority.org. Refer to the UEB manual for a full explanation of the braille code.

Procedure:

Teacher prepares sentences below in braille. The sentences below contain words that were previously joined together in EBAE. Have the student read the sentences below. Then have the students mark the words that are no longer joined in UEB: 

  1. I have gifts for the class.
  2. You have more for the parents.
  3. We ate all of the cheese.
  4. I have food for the party.
  5. We will go for a swim.
  6. I hit a ball with the stick.
  7. The family will gather for a reunion.
  8. She will go for a ride with us.
  9. Don’t bother with the other lesson.
  10. Will you fill all of the boxes with gifts?
Student using a braille notetaker
Student using a braille notetaker

Writing and Reading Practice:

Teacher prepares jokes in braille. Jokes can be placed on one side of the paper or index card and the answer on the other side. Select jokes from the list below for your student/s to read. Select additional jokes from the list to dictate to your student for writing practice.

Q: What do you call a girl with a frog on her head?
A: Lilly
 
Q: Why was the cat afraid of a tree?
A: Because of the bark!
 
Q: How do you stop a dog barking in the back seat of a car?
A: Put him in the front seat.
 
Q: Why did you bring fish to the party?
A: Because it goes with the chips.
 
Q: What is black and white and red all over?
A: A skunk with a rash.
 
Q: What part of a fish weighs the most?
A: The scales.
 
Q: What kind of a dog has a bark but no bite?
A: A dogwood!
 
Q: Why did the fly never land on the computer?
A: He was afraid of the world wide web.
 
Q: What do you get when you cross a ghost with a cat?
A: A scaredy cat.
 
Q: What do you get when you cross a caterpillar with a parrot?
A:  A walkie talkie.
 
Q: What do you get when you cross a lemon and a cat?
A: A sour puss.
 
Q: What do you get when you cross Godzilla with a parrot?
A: I don’t know, but if he asks for a cracker, give it to him!
 
Q: What starts with the letter “t”, is filled with “t” and ends in “t”?
A:  Teapot.
 
Q: Why did the orange stop in the middle of the hill?
A: It ran out of juice.
 
Q: Why did the class clown take a computer to school?
A: Her mom told her to bring in an apple for the teacher.
 
Q: What’s the name of the archeologist that works at Scotland Yard?
A: Sherlock Bones.
 
Q: Why was the baseball player arrested in the middle of the game?
A: He was caught stealing second base.
 
Q: Some lettuce, an egg and a faucet had a race. What was the result?
A: The lettuce came in ahead, the egg got beat and the faucet is still running.
 
Q: What does the winner of the race lose?
A: Their breath.
 
Q: Did you hear about the race between the lettuce and the tomato?
A: The lettuce was a “head” and the tomato was trying to “ketchup”!
 
Q: What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet?
A: Supplies!
 
Q: Why did Johnny throw the clock out of the window?
A: Because he wanted to see time fly!
 
Q: What do you give a dog with a fever?
A: Mustard, it’s the best thing for a hot dog!
 
Q: Why do birds fly south for the winter?
A: It’s easier than walking!
 
Q: What do you do with a bunch of dead elements?
A: Barium!
 
Q: Why did the baker stop making donuts?
A: Because he got sick of the hole business.
 
Q: Did you hear about the wooden car with the wooden wheels and the wooden engine?
A: It wooden go!
 
Q: What do you get when you cross a Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle and a rooster?
A: A cockapoodledoo!
 
Q: What did the window say to the door?
A: What are you squeaking about? I’m the one with the pane!
 
Q: Why was the elephant late for the plane?
A: Because he forgot his trunk.
 
Q: Name four days of the week that start with the letter “t”.
A: Tuesday, Thursday, today and tomorrow.

Suggested Reading:

Teacher prepares any of the poems below in braille. The poems from the books listed below contain several opportunities to practice reading the words in this lesson in the unconnected format. Please determine if the poems are appropriate for your student’s age and reading level.

sidewalk
Click on poem to download.
attic
Click on poem to download.
Everything On It
Click on poem to download.
trouble
Click on poem to download.
picnic
Click on poem to download.

Educational Activity and Game:

Poetry Slam:  Materials: brailler and braille paper

Have each student write a poem using as many of the formerly connected words as possible. Decide on the type of poem they should write, (haiku, iambic pentameter, etc.). Have the students read their poem aloud when they are done. 

Assessment:

Teacher dictates the following 10 sentences using the words that were previously joined together in EBAE. Add your own. Teacher compiles a spreadsheet for each student to document progress and compile data.

  1. We can sell cake for a profit.
  2. They forgot the coffee for the parents.
  3. The snack is for the class.
  4. They went home when they were finished with the game.
  5. We went for a swim today.
  6. The vase fell off of the table.
  7. I can play with the other kids.
  8. We’re rooting for the home team.
  9. The leader and the troop went camping last weekend.
  10. I’m looking for a good book to read.

Click here to download the handout in Word format

Duxbury Files

UEB Lesson 3 collage
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