If My Cane, Guide Dog, or Monocular Could Talk, What Would It Say?

This activity is pulled from our Virtual ExCEL Camps happening summer of 2020! While these activities are written to fit into the larger lesson plan of the camp themes, you can complete them with your little one at any time. Learn more about our Virtual ExCEL Summer Camp here!

Tomorrow we will learn about planning, action plans, and a bit about transition. Part of action plans are thinking about how our actions impact us. Imagine if you could create a monologue or dialogue for your long cane, guide dog, or monocular, a different perspective. Use your creative skills to give a voice to your long cane, monocular, or guide dog.

Appropriate Age Range: 10th grade to age 21

Materials Needed:

A note-taking system (Google docs, iPad, or a braille device or recording device)

Vocabulary:

Some of these terms may seem brand new so take some time to look them up and they will be part of your vocabulary too: perspective, point of view, monologue, and dialogue. 

Activity:

Prepare your equipment for the brain gym. Share this fun activity with a family member and create a monologue or dialogue with this thought in mind “If your cane or guide dog could talk…”

Here are some starter ideas to consider including in this brain gym exercise.

•         What would it say?
•         Where would it like to go?
•         Who would it like to talk with?
•         What are its favorite places?
•         What are its least favorite places?

Edit the draft, add some zing, enthusiasm, personality and then publish your creative product.

Outcome:

If you would like, share the monologue or dialogue with family and friends and start another conversation about your long cane, monocular or guide dog finding its voice.

Extensions: 

Feeling creative? Here are some ways to share your thoughts, make a movie about a topic, or reply to questions asked. https://info.flipgrid.com/ or Apple clips https://www.apple.com/clips/

If you would like to learn more about guide dog programs, the Summer Experience Camp from Leader Dogs for the Blind or another perspective on long canes from Jasmyn Polite.

Authors: 

JoAnne Chalom is President of In Focus Mobility and has been working with individuals with disabilities for over thirty years. JoAnne teaches younger and older individuals orientation and mobility. JoAnne enjoys spending quality time with her grand dog, Cody.

Robbin Keating Clark is the Expanded Core Curriculum Coordinator at Utah Schools for the Deaf & Blind and has been working with students with visual impairments for nearly two decades. She is enthusiastic and energetic about the Expanded Core Curriculum.  In her free time she likes to spend time with her children.

Susan Drake has been a special education teacher for seven years and is completing her certification as a teacher of the visually impaired at Missouri State University.  She lives on a farm with her veterinarian husband Randy, son Renin, a herd of corgis and cows.