Despite research advocating for the opposite, I have used my own method of teaching reversals and strong group and word signs. It has been very successful. Currently I have three students that have been stuck here for years. Yes, they’ve been learning braille for multiple years and haven’t gotten past the strong group and word signs. I created a booklet several years ago for my dual media learners to teach them as “Partners.”
The booklet is available through Teachers Pay Teachers. The strong group and word signs are taught all at one time with their partner letter or contraction. They are reviewed daily during instructional time. Phrases are used to help students remember which ones go together. I also emphasize that letters use 1, 3 or 1, 2, 3 and contractions use 4, 6 or 4, 5, 6. With “y” and “and” you pay attention to the “open” side. “Open” refers to 1, 3 and 4, 6. With the words “with” and “of”, you find a “w” hiding inside of “with” and an “o” hiding inside of the word “of”. With the words “of” and “with” I use a swing cell so they can see the “w” and “o” hiding inside of the words. At the beginning of instruction, I tend to use a swing cell to help them see what I mean by “open” or dots 1, 3 and 4, 6. The song is on my YouTube channel:
Here are the phrases:
Ghosts don’t go around in cars (gh and ar)
I like mashed potatoes (m and sh)
Ow! O that hurt (ow and o)
People think this is fun! (p and th)
Stop that child! (st and ch)
So … which is it? (s and wh)
Ned thinks you’re awesome! (n and ed)
That is quite an error! (q and er)
You sing beautifully (u and ing)
And you can do it (and, y)
As the world turns (z, the)
With a spoon full of sugar (with, of)
Let’s get out of here! (ou, t)
Read more from Karen: Scratching Your Head with Braille Reversals?
