Visitors from 'over the pond'

We were visited by our friend Kevin from the USA last week. At the moment he is training to be a teacher of the visually impaired. It was great to see him again and also some of the resources he brought over for us to have a look at. In the US they have some excellent resources for the VI. 

Kevin brought along and infant braille reading scheme, which was very interesting to compares to the RNIB schemes. He also brought an abacus. Not a normal abacus, but a 'Cramner Abacus' which is designed especially for use by the visually impaired.

We are now looking to see whether this could be used by our pupils to help them develop their mathematical skills. 

Chinese New Year

This month's In-Reach celebrated Chinese New Year. When I asked if any of the VI team at Kings Copse had any ideas what we could do, I was amazed when one of our team suggested Dragon dancing, as she had a Dragon at home!

 

So after a little practice with Year R earlier in the week, we were set to show our VI pupils and our guests how it was done. With authentic chinese musical accompaniment (a CD) and the expert guidance from the VI staff, our Dragon began to sway and dance around the hall.

 

All of the children were offered the opportunity not only to 'have-a-go' but also to have a good close-up look and investigation of the Dragon.

 

Pupil questions could be answered and the Dragon head studied.

 

 

Whilst the Dragon danced across the hall, the remaining pupils who were waiting for their turn had a number of activities where they could make their own dancing dragon, chinese lantern or find out which was their birth year animal.

 

 

To finish, our afternoon tea was suplimented with prawn crackers with a selection of chinese sauces to dip (nothing hot!) and with a Chinese fortune cookie for all who attended, children, adults and carers. For some the future seemed to hold great things including foriegn travel and lottery winners. Time will tell !!!

Thanks to all who attended and especially to Mrs CC who has a Dragon in her loft!!!

 

Gruffalo!

Outside the Oasis, running along the bottom of the wall are some lovely tactile character pictures from the story 'The Gruffalo'.

 

 

At this week's VIP club the children were re-told the story of 'The Gruffalo' and then asked to make their own Gruffalo using collage and 'smelly' pens.

 

Once complete, the children then re-enacted a new version of the story staring their Gruffalo.

For our Reg. Blind children, listening to their friends description was reinforced with some tactile exploration.

 

 There were some scary warts....

 

...and some prickly prickles!

 

 

Older and younger pupils all took part, and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to mix and share ideas.

 

 

 

Symbol cane

One of our younger pupils received a symbol cane today. While out and about you may have seen one of these, denoting that the person holding it is partially sighted. The training for carrying a symbol cane begins nice and early, so that it becomes second nature to the pupil.

Sharing the new symbol cane with Mr Hayman.

Showing how it all goes together! 

Christmas In Reach

Nativity!

Rehearsals for the Key Stage 1 Nativity have been a big feature this week.

 

 

For our pupils with a visual impairment, this is an important moment to develop a feeling of belonging with their sighted peers. Being included in everything that a class does is key to the work done at Kings Copse Oasis. Learning alongside friends is the most powerful tool that a teacher has and when it is all singing and dancing, like the Nativity, it is also a lot of fun!

 

Winchester Special Celebration

On Friday 5th December the staff and pupils of Kings Copse Oasis joined the Special Schools Christmas Celebration at Winchester Cathedral. This is an annual event organised by Hampshire Music Service.

 

The Cathedral was a throng of activity when we arrived with children, carers, parents and local dignitaries milling around preparing for the concert. 

Each of our pupils had a role in retelling the Christmas story; from angels,

 

 

 

and shepherds,

 

 

 

Inn keepers and Wise men,

 

 

School Banner bearers,

 

 

Each part of the Christmas story had a multi-sensory element which the children could join in with.

 

 

 

Then a special performance of a medley of Christmas songs by one of our Year 6 pupils on the piano, accompanied by Mrs Keene.

 

 

Then later some ribbon twirling!

 

 

It was a chilly day out, but we were warmed by the enthusiasm of all of the children at the Service and especially proud of our own pupils, waving the banner for Kings Copse and the Oasis!

 

As a bonus, one of our pupil's grandmothers had come to the cathedral and she brought her new guide dog, Nick; who thoroughly enjoyed meeting lots of new little people, who in turn thoroughly enjoyed meeting him!

 



 

Thank you to Hampshire Music Service for a brilliant Celebration!