By: Carmen Willings teachingvisuallyimpaired.com March 24, 2024
The Size of It
Provide the student with objects of the same size and those that are different in size (for example: one child-size scissors and two adult-size). Encourage the student to identify whether the objects are the same size or not. Provide the student with two items that are the same size and one that is larger or smaller. Encourage the student to locate the two objects that are the same size.
Suggestions for instruction:
Practice learning about sizes by discussing the sizes of objects and materials in the environment.
Provide the student with objects in a variety of sizes (ex. travel-size items versus full-size items) related to the classroom topic or related to an area of interest.
Compare and contrast the size of the items. A classic story to practice size concepts is Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Once students can sort and match shapes, encourage them to place them in order from smallest to biggest, shortest to tallest, thin to thick, etc.
Suggested Materials
Tactile Treasures Kit, Tactile-Color Edition, available from APH, consists of tactile graphics of thermoformed real objects. This is another great tool for transitioning students from 3D objects to raised line drawings and tactile graphics.
Picture Maker Geometric Textured Shapes, available from APH provides Velcro backed 2D shapes. This is a great transitional and versatile tool to use moving from 3D shapes toward tactual graphics.