There are many curriculum resources available from different blindness organizations. Links to some of these units and lesson plans can be found following this lesson plan.
Below, you will find CNIB Next Generation lesson plans to accompany the picture book “My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay,” a copy of which has been included with this resource kit.
Sample Lessons
My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, by Cari Best, is about a blind African American girl, Zulay, her friends Mya, Nancy and Ching, and how these four girls navigate their school day.
Possible themes to explore:
- Braille
- White canes
- Para-sports
- Friendship
- Accessibility
- Inclusion
Lessons are appropriate for primary-grade students. Specific expectations are included for Grade One Social Science from the Ontario Curriculum: Respect and Responsibility, Inclusion.
Materials Needed:
- Picture Book of My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay.
- Two hula hoops or circles made from pieces of string.
- Cards or pieces of paper on which to write similarities and differences.
Expectations:
Social Studies Grade One
Heritage and Citizenship
- Demonstrate an understanding of how we show respect for others.
- Demonstrate an understanding that they and others have different roles, relationships, and responsibilities that may change in different situations (e.g., how might their responsibilities change if they have a friend with a disability?).
- Demonstrate an understanding that all people should be treated with respect, regardless of their role or responsibility.
Lesson: Part One
- Read the book out loud to the class. Provide audio-descriptions of the pictures to demonstrate how to include students who are blind or low vision. For example, “On page 2 of the book, there’s an illustration of Zulay who is using her brailler to write.”
- Discuss the similarities between Zulay’s experience at school and her friends. Focus on what they have in common before moving on to differences (e.g., they all do math, reading, writing, and participate in field day). Record each idea on one of the pieces of paper (math, reading, field day, using a cane, braille, etc.).
- Create a tactile Venn Diagram with hula hoops. Read each card and give it to a student, who can place it in the correct section. Students can try it with their eyes closed.
- Talk about how students all have differences in how they learn. Talk about how Zulay helped her friend and how she needed help, too. Why is it important to help each other? Do teachers need help? Help students articulate that we all need help sometimes.
Lesson: Part Two
- Discuss Zulay’s feelings about school. What does Zulay enjoy, and what is a challenge? How does she deal with the challenge?
- Reflection Journal: Students can write or draw about what they enjoy at school and what challenges them.
- Discuss how to get better at something challenging. How did Zulay get better at using her cane? At running? Follow up: Draw a picture of yourself getting better at something. Add a description of your drawing.
Lesson: Part Three
- What are the similarities and differences between Zulay’s school and your school? Is there anything at your school to support children with other needs, such as vision impairment or other disabilities?
- What is the role of students in supporting other students? Why should we help others?
- What would happen if no one helped anyone?
Students could discuss where changes could be made in their school and carry out a survey around the school, making notes of anything hazardous to people who are blind or low vision, such as loose paving slabs, sandwich board displays, etc. As a class, talk to or write a letter to the school board outlining their recommended improvements.
Other lesson ideas
Here are additional resources to embed blindness and low vision messages in the curriculum throughout the school year.
- Museum of Disability, Grade One Lesson Plan: Taking Visual Impairment To School.
- RNIB: Teaching and learning guidance.
Vision Australia: Primary and Secondary School Inclusion