InsideInfo

Rydge Family LibraryNewsletter of RIDBC Renwick Centre Rydge Family Library, Issue 1, 2014

Issue 1, 2014

Julie, Marijana and Jason

A is for… Animals, Art and Advocacy!

Kay Hooper sets the tone this issue with her wonderful memories of one of our favourite animal stories. We take a look at ways in which

art experiences can be enhanced with tactile and sensory elements to engage children in creative fun. We also include lots of new books and web links, and some important additions to the library to support parents in their quest to advocate for their children to achieve the best outcomes.

Looking forward to seeing you in the library soon,

Best wishes

We asked Renwick Centre Practicum Coordinator and educator/consultant Kay Hooper

Whats your favourite childrens book? My favourite book is Charlotte’s Web, published in 1952 and written by American author E. B. White, with charming black and white sketches by Garth Williams.

I first read “Charlotte’s Web” when I began my training as a teacher. Each night I would read a chapter to my youngest brother who was then about 8 years old. I am not sure who enjoyed it

most as we eagerly followed the story of Wilbur the little pig who was the runt of the litter, saved by the farmer’s daughter, Fern. Fern is Wilbur’s constant companion and she falls in love with the little pig, as did we as we nightly read of Wilbur’s latest adventure.

Once Wilbur has grown big enough he is transferred to the barn where he befriends the other animals, who instruct the still naive little pig in the ways of life. When he learns that he is likely to end up on the dinner plate, his most important friend turns out to be a spider named Charlotte, who occupies a web in the corner of a doorway above him. Her love for Wilbur, coupled with her ingenuity, will save Wilbur’s life as messages begin to appear in her web: “Some Pig”, “Radiant”, “Humble”.

This is a heart-warming story about friendship and loyalty. It certainly captivated me as a young adult and proved to be a popular story for children in my classes. This delightful story will also engage young readers to read for themselves.

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New Books

A birthday for Ben : a story about hearing issues by Kate Gaynor, illustrated by Karen Quirke.Special Stories Publishing, 2009.RENWICK 823.92 GAYN

I am not a pirateby Shannon AndersonTate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC, c2013RENWICK 813.6 ANDE

Little Bear Sees : how children with cortical visual impairment can learn to see by Aubri Tallent, Andrei Tallent and Fredy BushLittle Bear Sees Publishing, c 2012.RENWICK 362.41 TALL

“…a book that provides both information and inspiration. It walks the reader through real family journeys and real family solutions. Parents who read LITTLE BEAR SEES will find a partner in their own experiences…” Christine Roman-Lantzy, Ph.D http://www.littlebearsees.org/what-is-cvi/ What is CVI – printable PDF file.

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Steve Biddulph’s raising girlsby Steve BiddulphHarperCollins, c2013RENWICK 649.133 BIDD

Educational advocacy for students who are deaf and hard of hearing : the Hands and Voices guidebook by Cheryl DeConde Johnson, Janet DesGeorges, Leeanne Seaver.Hands & Voices, 2013.RENWICK Q371.90973 DECO

The parenting journey : raising deaf and hard of hearing childrenby Karen Putz.Barefoot Publications, 2012.RENWICK 649.1512 PUTZ

The book of choice : support for parenting a child who is deaf or hard of hearing edited by Leeanne Seaver. Hands & Voices, c2010.RENWICK 649.152 SEAV

The Passionate Lives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Peopleby Karen Putz. Barefoot Publishing, c2013.RENWICK 362.42 PUTZ

Advocacy

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Why do I have to? A book for children who find themselves frustrated by everyday rules.Written by Laurie Leventhal-Belfer, Illustrated by Luisa Montaini-KlovdahlJessica Kingsley Publishers, 2008. ISBN 9781843108917RENWICK 823.3 LEVE

This is a good little book designed for children who have a hard time understanding why they need to follow rules. It is written by Laurie Leventhal-Belfer, who is a clinical psychologist and the founder of ‘The Friends Program’, a group program aimed at young children with Asperger’s Disorder and their families.

In the book, she empathises with children’s wish to do things their way, but explains why their way does not work, and then she provides a list of practical suggestions for how to cope with these challenges and avoid feelings of frustration. This book is useful for children who have a hard time dealing with the expectations of daily living, as well as for their parents and the professionals who work with them.

In her book, she covers topics such as: Why do I have to go to school before the show that I am watching is over? And why do I have to wear shoes and a jacket when I go outside? This book is a useful tool to help children to understand, and for the adults who look after them.The book is illustrated in a simple manner for children, with black and white drawings to summarise the message of the book. The reading level is ideal for children aged 8 and over. In the back, the author includes appendix 1, where children can write down what frustrates them the most about these rules. In appendix 2, she includes a goal chart that can be used by families.

Reviewed by Marijana Miletic

Books that help

101 ways to encourage self-advocacy in children with hearing loss : a resource for parents and professionalsBy Claire H. BlatchfordClarke Mainstream Services, c2010.RENWICK 371.9120973 BLAT

Enabling children with hearing loss to find their own voices and speak up for themselves at home, at school, and everywhere they go in the hearing world is surely the greatest gift we can give them. A guide for parents and professionals, this booklet offers suggestions for encouraging the development of self-advocacy at home and school.

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The sound of colors : a journey of the imagination by Jimmy Liao ; English text adapted by Sarah L. ThomsonNew York; Little, Brown and Company, c2006.RENWICK 823.3 LIAO

Journey with a young blind girl as she travels daily on the subway and lets her imagination carry her away.

Color : a course in mastering the art of mixing colors by Betty EdwardsJeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, c2004RENWICK 752 EDWA

Drawing with Childrenby Mona BrookesNew York : Putnam, c1996RENWICK 741.2 BROO Drawing with Children includes chapters explaining how to reach children with learning problems and how to incorporate drawing into teaching the basic subjects in an integrated school curriculum.

Just arrived!

Hearing in Children Sixth Edition by Jerry L. Northern, Marion P. DownsPlural Publishing, 2014.ISBN13: 978-1-59756-392-5 RENWICK 618.920978 NORT 2014

New edition of this classic text on hearing impairment

Art

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Art Links

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Tactile art at PerkinsPerkins art teachers are frequently asked by the public, “How do you teach students who can’t see to make art?” The answer, they say, is simple: make the art process a tactile, multi-sensory experience.http://www.perkins.org/perspectives/features/touch-explore-create.html

Paintings for the BlindRemy Closset uses Blender and a CNC machine to create tactile versions of famous paintings so that blind people can enjoy them too.http://www.blendernation.com/2014/04/14/creating-paintings-for-the-blind/

Art for the Blindhttp://www.artagogo.com/commentary/artforblind/artforblind.htm

Toddler art activityA tactile art activity for childrenhttp://www.carlemuseum.org/blogs/making-art/toddler-art-activity-contact-paper-sparkly-things

Sensory artHow to adapt traditional art projects and curriculum into sensory art.http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/sensory-art

Blind artist John BramblittHe makes striking paintings by drawing with fabric paint and, using the raised lines as a guide, filling in with oil paint.http://artandseek.net/2014/04/10/study-up-for-think-watch-blind-artist-john-bramblitts-painting-process

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Paint recipe for sensory playThis homemade paint recipe with spices is as much a delight for the nose as the eyes! It’s super easy to make.http://nurturestore.co.uk/homemade-paint-recipe-messy-play

Fun tactile art activitiesThe combination of yarn, glue, and paint makes it an especially fun and tactile art activity for kids.http://artfulparent.com/2013/02/yarn-paintings-fun-tactile-art-activity-for-kids.html

Art beyond sightCoordinated by Art Education for the Blind, Inc., Art Beyond Sight Collaborative is dedicated to making the visual arts play a vital role in the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired.http://www.artbeyondsight.org/

The common sense guide to your child’s special needs : when to worry, when to wait, what to doby Louis Pellegrino Paul H. Brookes Publishing, c2012RENWICK 371.9 PELL

With reassuring warmth, good humor, and candor, Dr Pellegrino offers practical, research-based guidance on what it means and what to do next when a child struggles with speech and language development, motor skills development social skills, behavioural control and attention, learning and cognitive development.

“Parents of children with diagnosed disabilities, or parents who are just worried about their child’s development, will find this book helpful. It is a good starting point in understanding a child’s needs and where to go following diagnosis. It is very informative, and easy to read.”

Alina Kirievsky, RIDBC Psychologist

Recommended read

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UEB Online is a learning program for sighted people who want to learn Unified English Braille (UEB). UEB Online will be invaluable to educators, support staff, parents and students working with learners who are blind or vision impaired.

This thirty lesson course contains two modules. Module 1 covers the basics of braille, including the alphabet, some simple punctuation, simple word signs and group signs. Module 2 covers complex two-cell contractions, short forms, group signs, punctuation, numbers, print symbols, braille mode indicators and type forms, capitalisation and names and abbreviations. Each lesson includes two exercises which must be completed with 100% accuracy. Braille is entered online using a standard computer keyboard with select keys that replicate the keys of a braille machine. All marking of exercises is automated, enabling learners to receive immediate feedback on their progress.

UEB Online has been developed by the RIDBC Renwick Centre, and is free of charge.

If you are interested in learning braille, register for the course at: http://uebonline.org

UEBOnlineBraille training for sighted learners

The first online training program for Unified English Braille

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On the web

Hearing our wayHearing Our Way: the magazine for kids and teens with hearing loss http://www.hearingourway.com/

Australian children’s poetsContemporary Australian children’s poets and their work http://australianchildrenspoetry.com.au/

Strategies for Keeping Hearing Aids on Young Children Success For Kids With Hearing Loss http://successforkidswithhearingloss.com/hearing-aids-on

How to Select iPad Apps for Students with Visual Impairments Paths to Literacy http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/how-select-ipad-apps-students-visual-impairments

Directory of braille services and products in Australia Australian Braille Authority http://brailleaustralia.org/finding-braille/directory/

Giving Good Praise to Girls: What Messages Stick MindShift http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/04/giving-good-praise-to-girls-what-messages-stick/

National Disability Organisations’ Clearinghouse http://ndoch.govspace.gov.au/

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Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products AppleVis http://www.applevis.com/

Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour GuidelinesDepartment of Health http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/health-pubhlth-strateg-phys-act-guidelines

Tips For CoachesAussie Deaf Kids http://www.aussiedeafkids.org.au/tips-for-coaches.html

Cochlear Implant « Cochlear Implant Online http://cochlearimplantonline.com/site/cochlear-implant/

Vision Loss : resources for vision impairment NSW/ACT Guide Dogshttp://www.visionloss.com.au/

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The Tactile Artist

By Robyn Wallace Teacher/Consultant VI

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children361-365 North Rocks RoadNorth Rocks NSW 2151AUSTRALIATel: 02 9872 0316Fax: 02 9873 3870

Make your own picture making kitMake a felt board: glue a piece of felt over hard board.

Make assorted shapes: cut out different shapes from hard board in varying sizes (a retractable blade is helpful). For example squares, rectangles, circles, triangles.On the back of each cut out shape apply a piece of self-adhesive ‘hook’ Velcro.

Storage folder: Store several felt boards and the shapes in an A4 lever arch folder.This folder is easy to use and is accessible to both the student and teachers. The ‘Picture Making Kit’ has many uses:• picture making• mapping• maths - fractions, pattern making, angles, exploring 3D shapes and their nets, • storytelling, illustrating• exploration of shape attributes• tessellation

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Colouring and Creating Tactile Pictures

This picture to the left has been outlined using a glue gun. The student is using crayons for their waxy texture to colour inside the raised lines. The colour of each crayon is labelled in braille. Other materials can be used: textured paint, paper scrunching, felt pieces, cotton balls, bubble wrap, glitter, adhesive foam shapes etc.

A great tool kit: Segregated boxes are a great way to store materials and allow the student to easily access craft materials for tactile pictures.

Felt boards using self-adhesive hook Velcro “Picture Making”

Easy to make:• Using hardboard, Masonite, canvas panel stretch and glue felt over the board. • Using stiff cardboard, create many different shapes that will allow the blind child to create tactile drawings. • Create maps. • Stick 3D shapes to the board. • A folder holding felt boards is a great way to store the many shapes you make and for the child to access easily. • Use the felt board for measurement, exploring fractions, manipulating cm squares, 2D shapes, 3D shapes, nets and 3D shapes, graphs.

Painting, gluing, colouring:• Use a glue gun to outline simple drawings. • The student can use crayons, textured paper, and textured paint to colour inside the glue gun outline.• Textured paint is great to use: sand, gloss, thick plaster. Just add colour to the different textures.

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Paper tearing/scrunching:

Provide cut outs or raised lines of different images needed for a lesson – allow the student to glue paper onto the cut out or raised line drawing. The finished artwork can be trimmed and mounted for display.

Tactile materials:• Use thick paper, hard cardboard as thin paper will

not hold the tactile materials well.• Foam board, mounting board, plastic board. • Glue gun to outline images - this dries almost

immediately.• Textured pastes to mix with acrylic paint: sand,

gloss, plaster paste. These provide texture and are quick drying.

• Double sided tape, sticky tape, masking tape.• Pasta shells and rice - coloured using food colouring. Great

to stick onto art works offers a variety of shapes. • Sticky dots: using a glue gun place the glue dot on top of a

round sticker. • Wool, string, twine, ribbon.• Adhesive foam shapes and packets of foam. There is a

large range to choose from. • Cookie dough art. Then varnish finished shape.• Velcro and felt works well together. Adhesive Velcro hooks can be stuck to the back of the

shape and the shape will stick to the felt and is easily removed from the felt board.• Use different materials: felt, glitter, buttons, fur, plastic, bubble wrap, cotton wool balls,

cotton buds, glitter, raised stickers, cardboard tubes, egg cartons, egg shells, seeds, leaves, bark, sand mixed with glue (add paint if a colour is needed).

Keep the craft materials needed for an art lesson in small containers. This allows easy access to the different shapes/materials when the student is creating tactile pictures.

Tactile picture of Uluru was created using foam board. Layers were added to create

crevasses and gullies in the rock.

Allow your students to self-express and let them turn something ordinaryinto something extraordinary.

Street addressRIDBC Renwick Centre, Rydge Family Library361-365 North Rocks RdNorth Rocks NSW 2151Australia

Email: renwick.library@ridbc.org.auWeb: www.ridbc.org.au/renwick/library/Telephone: +61 (0)2 9872 0285 Fax: +61 (0)2 9872 0809

Contact the libraryPostal addressRIDBC Renwick Centre, Rydge Family LibraryPrivate Bag 29Parramatta NSW 2124Australia

renwicklibrary

RIDBC Renwick Centre Library

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Just for fun

ResourcesGames, author extras, and resources based on the award-winning book Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. http://www.scholastic.com/charlottesweb/

http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrens/kids/gamesandcontests/features/charlottesweb/fun.aspx