Practicing Reading High Frequency Words in Braille

This post offers suggestions for adapting a lesson plan on recognizing high frequency words (such as “the”, “and”, “a”, “said” and “to”) for braille readers.

Original Lesson Plan

Materials

Between five and eight high-frequency words, written on individual cards

• the
• and
• a
• said
• to

Procedure

1. Display a word card.
2. Point to each letter in the word as the children sound-talk the letters (as far as is possible with tricky words) and read the word.
3. Say a sentence using the word, slightly emphasising the word.
4. Repeat 1–3 with each word card.
5. Display each word again, and repeat the procedure more quickly but without giving a sentence.
6. Repeat once more, asking the children to say the word without sounding it out.

Adapted Lesson Plan to Enable Access by Braille

Materials

• Between five and eight high-frequency words, including de-codable and tricky words, written on individual cards in braille.
• Word board with Velcro to attach word cards too.
• Word sheets with the same word written out three times, e.g.
  • the the the
  • and and and
  • a a a
  • said said said
  • to to to

Procedure

1. Display a word card on word board.
2. Ask child to sound talk the letters and read the word.
3. Say a sentence using the word, slightly emphasising the word.
4. Repeat above with each word card.
5. Ask child to read a line of the specific high frequency word,  sounding the word out e.g. the the the
6. Ask the child to say the words without sounding out.