This, That & There: Describing Clearly

1. This, That & There: Describing Clearly By Laurel J. Hudson, Ph.D. Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments Orientation & Mobility Specialist Adapted from “Classroom Collaboration,” page 59 Published by Perkins School for the Blind

2. What Sighted People Do • Sighted people typically communicate key information by printing, drawing, demonstrating, moving, and writing in print. • They often talk only to bring attention to this visual information.

3. “It’s this student’s turn,” (gazing.)“Do that,” (gesturing.)“It’s over there,” (pointing.)

4. What Listeners with Visual Impairments/Blindness Need • Listeners with visual impairments/blindness may not see this key visual information, or even know if the speaker is talking to them. • So when we are speaking to listeners with visual impairments/blindness, it’s important that we describe in ways that don’t rely solely on visual information.

5. In the following 15 examples, “This, That, & There” statements, typical of what regular educators might say, are on the left side of each slide.Examples of Stand-alone, Non-visual Statements are to the right.

6. 1. “The number is in thatcorner of the page,” (pointing.) 1. “The number is in the near, rightcorner of the page.” “This, That, & There”

7. 2. “This is today’s homework,” (writing on board.) 2. “I’ll read today’s homework as I write it on the board.” “This, That, & There”

8. 3. “It’s about thisbig,” (spreading arms.) 3. It’s about as big as I can spread my arms apart.” “This, That, & There”

9. 4. “New Zealand is there,” (pointing on a map.) 4. “New Zealand is in the South Pacific Ocean, East of Australia.” “This, That, & There”

10. 5. “I want everyone to go over there,” (pointing.) 5. “I want everyone to go to the back of the room.” “This, That, & There”

11. 6. “It’s thisstudent’s turn,” (gazing.) 6. “It’s Joshua’s turn.” “This, That, & There”

12. 7. “The hurricane started there,” (pointing on a map.) 7. “The hurricane started in Jamaica, one of the Caribbean Islands.” “This, That, & There”

13. 8. “Your reading folders are in that corner of the room,” (pointing.) 8. “Your reading folders are in the corner where the window wall meets the board wall.” “This, That, & There”

14. 9. “That was unacceptable,” (glaring at student,) “you’re going to need to stay for silent lunch.” 9. “J’Nai, looking at your neighbor’s paper was unacceptable. You’re going to need to stay for silent lunch.” “This, That, & There”

15. 10. “Start on this side of the paper,” (marking with a pencil.) 10.”Start on the left side of the paper.” “This, That, & There”

16. 11. “He held his hands something like this,” (demonstrating.) 11. “He held his hands with his palms up and his fingers spread apart.” “This, That, & There”

17. 12. “I want you to stop what you’re doing whenever I do this,” (raising one hand.) 12. “I want you to stop what you’re doing whenever I raise my hand. I’ll say outloud, ‘I’m raising my hand now.” “This, That,& There”

18. 13. “Please line up at thatdoor,” (looking toward the back door.) 13. “Please line up at the back door.” “This, That, & There”

19. 14. “Draw a line likethis,” (marking on board.) 14. “Draw a straight, vertical line from the top to the bottom of your page.” “This, That, & There”

20. 15. “This row may be dismissed,” (looking toward the row and nodding.) 15. “The row with Zara in front may be dismissed.” “This, That, & There”

21. Thank you!This, That & There: Describing Clearly Adapted from Classroom Collaboration, page 59 By Laurie Hudson Teacher of the Visually Impaired, OMS DeKalb County School District Laurel_J_Hudson@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us