Sensory Christmas

[Nina]

I have a blind student and we're trying to develop a tactile classroom for the holidays. Does anyone have any good ideas for me on this?

[Karen]

How old is your student? I work with blind students from pre-K to HS.

Don't forget how powerful the sense of smell :) Especially at Christmas.
You can spray evergreens if the fragrance is not strong enough.
And the fragrance of tea or hot chocolate for a tea party.

A fun activity is the story of the gingerbread man. And making or eating gingerbread men. Whole cinnamon sticks rubbed on a piece of sandpaper make a nice fragrance.
Students find my room by trailing the wall and finding the "sand" "S" on my door.

And velcro on a game piece and wickystix is nice for making a gameboard usable for a blind child if they are playing a game with sighted children.

[Nina]

I have grade 2-3 students, Thanks for your help.

[labooks]

You might like to know about children's books about blindness (http://www.gate.net/~labooks/VI.html) which could make good gifts or could be good to have in the classroom.

It is so thoughtful of you to plan this kind of classroom to help make your handicapped student feel a part of the activities. I'm sure the others enjoy it also.

Betsy
Learning Abilities Books (http://www.gate.net/~labooks)