The MD Common Core Frameworks for Braille (MCCFB)

1. The Maryland Common Core Frameworks for Braille: Identifying the Next Generation Grade Level Braille Literacy Needs of Students Lisa Wright & Heather Johnson

2. The MD Common Core Frameworks for Braille (MCCFB) • Grade level standards for braille aligned to the Common Core • Prekindergarten through grade 12 • English/Language Arts • Literary Braille • Readiness: Hand movements, use of braille writer • Alphabet • Contractions • Textbook formats • Mathematics • Nemeth Code • Tactile graphics

3. Why are the MCCFB Unique? • Aligned to the Common Core, can be used by any State • Identify grade level standards for areas not previously aligned • Formats • Nemeth • Tactile graphics • Includes standards, checklists, and resource list • Can be used for formative assessments and IEP goals

4. POLL Do YOU need to align your IEP Goals and Objectives for Braille to content standards?

5. Things to Know About the MCCFB • MD has PreK standards that are not part of Common Core • MD did not add any other additional unique standards • Only grade-level standards for braille, not instructional strategies for teaching braille • It does not include any other skills beside braille

6. How the Documents are Organized • Introduction, References • Standards • ELA by strands • Math by grades • Appendix A • ELA: Literacy Braille code and Formatting • Mathematics: Nemeth Braille code and tactile graphics • Appendix B: Acronyms and Definitions • Appendix C: Resources • Appendix D: Instructional Materials • Appendix E: ELA: Tactile Editing Marks

7. Let’s Look at the Documents…

8. http://mdk12.org/instruction/commoncore/braille/index.html

9. English/Language ArtsKey Highlights • Range of Reading • Informational Text - biographies, speeches, letters, newspaper articles • Functional text: forms, procedures, directions, and information displayed in graphs, charts, or maps • Complexity of Reading – word/sentence/passage length, higher levels of meaning/ purpose, and higher vocabulary/language and knowledge demands • Reading fluency – reading text with speed, accuracy, and proper expression.

10. Impact for Braille Readers • Knowledge of all literary contractions by the end of grade 2 • Knowledge of all punctuation and braille signs of composition by the end of grade 3 • Knowledge of some computer braille code (websites, email addresses) • Grade level reading skills: vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, reading speed • Access to text and multimedia • Common Core Standards Appendix B Text Exemplars: http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_B.pdf

11. Text Features • Print features – table of contents, index, glossary, appendix, pronunciation guide • Organizational aids – bold/colored print, italics, bullets, titles, headings, subheadings, captions, labels, sidebars • Graphic aids – diagrams, graphs, figures, maps, charts/tables, timelines • Illustrations – photographs, drawings

12. Impact for TVIs and Braille Readers • Need to know “Braille Formats” http://www.brailleauthority.org/formats/2011manual-web/index.html • Need to know “Guidelines and Standards for Tactile Graphics (2010) – diagrams, maps, graphs, tables, timelines http://www.brailleauthority.org/tg/web-manual/index.html

13. Writing and Research • Primarily nonfiction: argument, opinion, informative/explanatory • Research (Grade 6 – bibliography) • Cite evidence, analyze content, record and analyze data • Prepare product for publication/presentation • Integration of technology

14. Technology Skills Impact for Braille Readers • Keyboarding skills – type pages within a single sitting • Grade 4: 1 page, Grade 5: 2 pages, Grade 6: 3 pages • Presentation software, word processing, and spreadsheets • Mainstream devices (iPad, laptop/desktop) • Collaboration and shared writing • Digital Texts • Internet skills • Web navigation • Contribute to a learning community • Using online resources • Accessible web tools

15. POLL What do YOU need to learn more about to ensure braille readers meet grade level English/Language Arts standards?

16. Key Highlights in Math • Narrow scope and deepen understanding • Procedural skill and fluency – quickly and accurately • Application: to real world and apply skills • Rigor of skills

17. The MCCFB Mathematics • Learn Nemeth Code numerals and symbols beginning in Prekindergarten • New Nemeth Code introduced at every grade level through high school • Emphasis on reading and creating Tactile Graphics

18. Key Highlights in Math • Pre-K through grade 5 – focus is computation of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Measurement and geometry tied to numbers and operations • Middle school – ratio, proportions, statistics, algebra, foundations of geometry • High School – functions, statistics, geometry, algebra

19. Let’s Look at the MCCFB Mathematics

20. http://mdk12.org/instruction/commoncore/braille/index.html

21. Impact for TVIs and Braille Readers • Expectations for participation by all in higher level mathematics (Algebra 1 and 2 and Geometry) • Strong knowledge of Nemeth Code • Strong skills in reading tactile graphics • Guidelines and Standards for Tactile Graphics (2010) – diagrams, maps, graphs, tables, timelines http://www.brailleauthority.org/tg/web-manual/index.html

22. Let’s Look at the Appendix A Charts…

23. http://mdk12.org/instruction/commoncore/braille/index.html

24. POLL What do YOU need to learn more about to ensure braille readers meet grade level Mathematics?

25. Maryland Common Core State Curriculum Frameworks for Braille • Same content. • High expectations. • Identified needed braille skills.

26. Maryland Common Core State Curriculum Frameworks for Braille