Visual Discrimination, Sequencing, & Scanning ActivitiesBy: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated March 27, 2024 Visual discrimination is the ability to recognize details in visual images. It allows students to identify and recognize the likeness and differences of shapes/forms, colors and position of objects, people, and printed materials. To learn to read print, students will need to develop visual discrimination skills. Additionally, some students who read print may still need practice in paying attention to finer details or gathering information from images and drawings. There are numerous activities that students can do to help them develop visual discrimination skills. Encourage students to visually discriminate by matching photos, letters, words, pictures, or other objects and materials. Visually Discriminate 3D ObjectsHelp develop a student's ability to discriminate 3D objects by encouraging the student to match and sort objects and geometric shapes by size. Provide the students with multiple items that are different in size but otherwise identical to sort. Once a student demonstrates their understanding of the difference in shapes, encourage them to identify the shapes. Next have the student identify the shapes contained in environmental objects (ex. the top of a soup can is a circle, the blackboard or smartboard is a rectangle, etc.).
Object to Photo MatchPrior to the activity, use your tablet or camera to take screenshots or pictures of unit related objects. When taking pictures be sure to place the object on a solid background to reduce visual clutter. Additionally, ensure the background is a contrasting color to the object. Begin by presenting an object and two possible photos of objects with one being a photo of the actual object. Encourage the student to locate the picture of the object. Once the student shows mastery, increase to a field of three. Hint: use an object the student prefers to begin with and when the student selects the picture of the object, give the object to the student, and allow the student time to play with the object.
Visually Discriminate ShapesHelp develop a student's ability to discriminate shapes by encouraging the student to visually identify pictures of shapes and their features at different distances. There are many fun commercially available games and toys to practice matching shapes. File folder games are another way to work on this skill. Once a student is able to this, you can further develop their skills by having them match a series of shapes or beads by color and form.
Visually Discriminate Drawings & PicturesHelp develop a student's ability to discriminate drawings and pictures by encouraging the student to identify two identical pictures from a choice of three or more. Next, encourage the student to name pictures of shapes and drawings. Can the student describe the action taking place in the picture? Can the student sequence the actions in a story sequence? Encourage the student to visually explore and point out pictures and objects within a picture or book. Encourage the students to match identical pictures and to identify pictures of common objects by their function.
![]() Toodle Tiles: Emmy's Town Software
This matching game based on the game of Mahjong and available from APH is a bright, high-contrast colors and simple designs. Students clear the board by locating matching tiles. Students enjoy the fun sounds and comments as they match tiles (and even when they don't). Visually Discriminate ColorTo help the student develop their skills in discriminating colors, encourage the student to sort and match colors. The student can then practice identifying the colors (primary and secondary). This is only an appropriate skill for students who's color vision is intact. For other students, it can be appropriate to work on color associations.
Photo to Photo MatchCreate a set of photos of unit related items to create a matching activity to encourage the student to visually discriminate and match the photos. Select photos that are appropriate and meaningful to the student. Adjust the complexity of the photos to match the student’s visual needs to ensure they are challenged but can be successful. Encourage the student to identify a matching photo. If using Velcro, be sure to use the soft loop Velcro to the file folder and the “scratchy” Velcro to the back of the corresponding shape. This will allow you to present the corresponding shapes on a soft loop felt board. Extend the activity by having the student identify the pictures. Present on a solid background. Increase or decrease the number of letters to scan as appropriate for the student. Begin by presenting a photo and two possible photos of objects with one being the same. Encourage the student to locate the matching photo. Once the student shows mastery, increase to a field of three.
Visually Discriminate Letters & WordsTo help a student practice discriminating letters and numbers, encourage the student to match and identify letters, words, and letters. There are a number of fun toys and games on the market to help students learn letters. Choose those that have simple fonts, are well spaced and in a font size that is accessible to the student.
Visually SequenceTo help a student practice visually sequencing materials, provide high contrast materials. Students should be encouraged to arrange objects from smallest to largest, nest objects, match a series of beads according to two variables (shape and color; color and size; size and shape, etc.), and follow and continue a pattern. Students should also be encouraged to sequence pictures to tell a story.
My Friends Interactive BookTake pictures of the students’ support team and peers. On each slide, present the phrase “Where is _ (person’s name)?” When the student touches the correct photo, set a hyperlink to the next slide, and have a picture of the person with the text “Here s/he is!”. Add an animation to the transition for visual appeal and a visual “reward”. When finished, set the slide show to “browse at a kiosk” to ensure the slides don’t advance until the student touches the designated picture.
Interactive Book of FavoritesTake pictures of the students’ favorite things with the background removed. Create an interactive PowerPoint activity with the pictures. To do so, place three pictures on a page and prompt the student to identify the item requested. As the student advances through the book, encourage the student to locate the object that corresponds with the page. Alternatively, as the student identifies the picture of the requested item, provide the object for the student to interact with before turning to the next page.
Photo Match BookCreate a picture matching book to teach the student to match photos. Place one picture on each page with a space for Velcro to place a matching picture. As you read each page with the student, have the student scan a board of pictures to locate the matching picture for the page. Alternatively, provide a collection of objects to match object to picture or create an interactive slide presentation and prompt the student to touch the matching picture.
Facial ExpressionsPresent the student with a picture of a smiling face. Use the picture to point out facial features and encourage imitation of expressions. Present different pictures depicting different emotions and encourage the student to compare what is different about faces. How have they changed? Can the student imitate the facial expression?
Line Drawing MatchCreate a set of simple line drawing pictures such as the Lightbox Pictures from APH. Place a dot of Velcro teeth on the back of each picture. Create a target area to place the picture. Below, I used a green rectangular block from the APH Tactile Town kit along with a short yellow line to clearly show where the matching picture belongs. Choose a line drawing and encourage the student to scan and locate the matching line drawing. Begin with line drawings with single colors. When the student demonstrates the ability to match single color line drawings, begin incorporating drawings with two or more colors.
Color MatchCreate a color match file folder activity for the student. including primary colors or primary and secondary colors. Mount paint swatches to the folder, laminate and attach soft Velcro dots to each swatch. Create a matching set of cards with color swatches, laminate and place the scratchy Velcro dots on the back. Present the cards on a soft Velcro board. Encourage the student to scan and locate matching colors to file folder game. During this activity incorporate color concepts by discussing objects associated with the different colors. Alternatives:
Locate a simple line drawing or clip art of a unit related item. Create multiple copies of the same picture. Color each picture a different color and mount each on a file folder game. Create matching pictures for the student to match following the above directions. Locate sets of materials in different colors and encourage the student to sort the objects by their color. Provide colored bowls or colored mats for the student to place matching colors. Picture SequenceTake pictures of yourself or the student completing a unit related activity (e.g., steps needed to wrap a present, bake a cake, plant flowers, make a sandwich, build a snowman, etc.). Using the pictures depicting various stages of the activity, have the student arrange the pictures in sequential order. Example: making a cake, making a sandwich, wrapping a present, decorating a tree, etc.
Alphabet MatchCreate an alphabet matching activity to teach the student to locate, match, and identify letters of the alphabet. Although you can create one alphabet match activity to use with the student, if you are working long term on this goal, consider creating seasonal or unit specific activities. Create file folder activities using unit related pictures or use unit related cutout shapes. Place a lower-case letter on each picture or shape. Prepare identical pictures or cutouts with uppercase letters or corresponding pictures/cutouts (e.g., apple/leaf, gift/bow, umbrella/raindrop, etc.). Encourage the student to match the uppercase to the lowercase letters. If using Velcro, be sure to use the soft loop Velcro to the file folder and the “scratchy” Velcro to the back of the corresponding shape. This will allow you to present the corresponding shapes on a soft loop felt board.
Extend the activity by having the student identify the letters. If using this activity to teach braille to print readers, provide print on one set and braille on the matching set. If using this activity to work on visual discrimination skills with print readers, consider increasing the complexity once the student can match identical letters by presenting matching letters in different fonts. Adaptation: If you are working with a student who has difficulty with visual complexity, create simple matching cards for the student. Attach Velcro to the card and a collection of letters paired with simple pictures. Present on a solid background. Increase or decrease the number of letters to scan as appropriate for the student. Lotto Board ActivityCreate lotto boards or file folder activities using pictures, icons, words, or stickers related to the unit. Create a matching set of pictures on cards. Encourage the student to match the pictures or words. Vary the complexity of the picture to match the student’s needs to ensure they are challenged but can be successful. Extend the activity by asking the student to identify each picture. Incorporate concept discussion by discussing characteristics and prior experience with the images.
What’s Happening?Provide the student with photos, colored line drawings, or black and white line drawings depicting actions related to the unit. Encourage the student to identify the action happening in the picture. Alternatively, select two or three actions and locate a combination of colored drawings, black and white drawings, and photos of the action for the student to sort. The pictures can be used in many Extend the activity by challenging the student to imitate the action portrayed.
Coupon Study & MatchCollect duplicate coupons depicting unit related foods or products. Provide the coupons to the student and encourage the student to locate and match pairs. Alternatively, mount one set of the coupons in a file folder, mount the other set of coupons to cards, laminate and attach Velcro to create a reusable coupon match activity. Encourage the student to use low vision devices to study details within the coupons. Hint: If the student is sensitive to glare from laminate, position the folder at an angle to avoid reflecting light or avoid laminating altogether. Extend the activity by placing corresponding objects around the instructional area. Have the student visually search for the objects that correspond to the coupon.
Matching DirectionalityPresent the student with icons or photos of identical items facing different directions. Present a target picture and encourage the student to locate the icon or picture that is facing the same direction.
Photo StudyPresent the student with pictures related to the unit. Encourage the student to examine the pictures and identify details within the pictures. Have the student identify faces in pictures as happy or sad or identify other emotions. Encourage the student to name or describe actions in pictures. Extend the activity by removing the pictures and challenging the student to recall objects seen in the pictures. Encourage students who have magnifiers to use the magnifier to see details within the picture.
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