Hi my name is mike and I'm a student teacher in my last year of school. In my classroom I have a blind student and I have been racking my brain for good modifications so that my blind student can participate fully in the class (with gestures, teaching, the whole bit). Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Mike, I have never worked with the visually impaired and am not fully aware of the situation, but since he is not hearing impaired, I would think he could easily participate by responding to your teacher responses. He could also still turn to a partner sitting next to him, and "teach-okay". Maybe you can work with helping him to learn a certain gesture before teaching a lesson so he has an idea of what the students will be doing. I would also definitely work with him on learning the long term gestures of the 5 rules. He could also be aware of the scoreboard by you "speaking" to the class that they earned a point, versus just going up to the scoreboard and "writing" the point down that they earned. In this way he can be aware of when to do/say the correct gesture/response. Basically, I feel he can be part of WBT once you can teach him the basic gestures and responses. I admire the fact that you are trying your best to include him into WBT. That is so awesome. Great Job!

Hi Mike:)
I agree with that response, it is awesome to get the student involved! I think they are also right that the verbal/auditory part will be good for that student when they are teaching their neighbor. That student may not be gesturing, but he/she will be doing the speaking and listening part. You may also want to have their neighbor help teach him/her the gesture when they are partnered up to do the TEach! Okay! with the switch. It would have to be someone that your blind student is comfortable with, of course. For example, while they are paired off, the partner is saying "Rule#1: follow directions quickly!", but they are taking his/her hand and helping them to make the motion. Then when you call switch! The blind student will be able to say and do the motion to their partner and the partner will mirror or help if they need some correcting.
Let me know if this works:)