
"A lot of times people forget braille includes math too … think about how we use scratch marks in solving math." "We create a lot of our own materials in District 49, including math worksheets," said Mattick. Teachers of the visually impaired can reach out to the Colorado Instructional Materials Center when certain textbooks or stories are needed in braille, but when they are not available, D49 Braillist Lori Wilson steps in. "There's even a Part 1 and a Part 2."Īt times finding books and content to teach blind students is challenging. He demonstrated his reading skills at the competition and was proud to share he has authored a book about Fireman Sam, a popular children's cartoon character. "Learning braille can be slower in the beginning, but by third grade, the goal is to have students performing at grade level," shared Mattick.Ĭameron is a prime example. Contests are proctored by D49 teachers of the visually impaired and then sent to Braille Institute where they are scored based on national guidelines. "The spelling part … that was really easy," he shared. Bostwick to grade.Ĭameron used the same type of machine to compete at Braille Challenge and test his skills in three categories: spelling, proofreading and reading comprehension. He does his daily assignments on the braillewriter, and Lori Mattick, a teacher of the visually impaired, transcribes it into English for Mrs. Bostwick's second-grade classroom where he uses a special machine, a braillewriter, to type both numbers and letters in braille. so fast he left me in the dust when I was learning alongside him," said Amanda Hames, his mother.Ĭameron learns in Mrs.

"Cameron was born blind, but took to learning braille really fast. One D49 student eager to compete was Cameron Hames, a second-grader from Springs Ranch Elementary School. The D49 participants met at the Creekside Success Center and joined students from across the country virtually. Students who are blind or visually impaired in grades 1 – 12, and can read and write braille are invited to participate.


19, two of these students had the opportunity to showcase their braille skills at Braille Challenge 2021.īraille Challenge is a nationwide event that brings together students from across the United States to allow them to compete in braille, while also celebrating those who learn with braille. For others, it's about mastering a pattern of dots with the sense of touch that brings reading to life.ĭ49 serves nearly 20 students across the district who are blind or have significantly low vision, and on Feb.
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For most students that includes learning how to write letters, matching those letters with sounds, and recognizing sight words. In District 49 ensuring every learner has a firm foundation in reading is essential.
