When first learning about the concepts of multiplication around second grade, a sighted child could easily make an array with pencil and paper. I came up with this idea to quickly make an array for a student who is blind or visually impaired, or have the student demonstrate an array herself. I trimmed the long sides of five APH score cards, taped them together on the back side using strips of carpet tape which have a very strong adhesion, then used wide graphic tape on the front side seams. It holds up very well, and you end up with a 10 by 10 re-usable array board.
- 5 APH Score Cards
- Exacto knife
- Strong carpet tape from a hardware store
- Graphic tape (wide)
How to Use in a lesson:
Other uses:
- Making rows of patterns: two dots up, one dot punched in, two dots up, one dot punched in.
- Following directions: e.g. punch out only the outer dots. Punch out every third dot. Starting in the lower left hand corner, move up 4 dots and over 2.
- Showing diagonal lines: student can punch out dots from one corner to its diagonal corner.
- Counting for early learners: counting by twos by punching down two dots at a time.
- Fine motor skills: helps with using different fingers, or two fingers at a time to punch out dots.
- Reward chart: instead of stickers, a student can punch out a dot for each completed assignment, or for each good day at school, with a big reward when all the holes have been punched out. Never underestimated the power of the sticker, or in this case, the “power of the punch”!