EDUCATION
Welcome to DIALOG IN THE DARK, a field trip where there is nothing to see but much to discover.
“See Poem” -Tatiana Manidis (9/21/08)
The concept is simple: in completely darkened rooms, guides who are blind or visually impaired lead small groups of students through an Exhibition in which everyday situations are experienced without vision.
The complete darkness opens your students’ eyes to new ways of experiencing the world around them.
In the dark, your daily routine becomes a new experience as key roles are reversed. Sighted people leave their comfort zones and lose the sense they rely on most. Guides who are blind or visually impaired provide security, comfort, and direction, while at the same time helping students see the world without pictures.
The sensory experiences of the Exhibition combined with its instructional themes of Communication, Empathy and Tolerance offer learning opportunities across the curriculum. Teachers of Science, History, Civics, Language Arts, Visual Arts and Character Development classes will all find this Exhibition relevant. Innovative lesson plans found in the Teacher’s Guide can be used both before and after your field trip to DIALOG IN THE DARK.
The first section of the Teacher’s Guide includes the story of the Exhibition’s creator, Andreas Heinecke. You will also find a description of what teachers and students can expect on their field trip and a quick-reference chart to locate lessons featuring your specific themes or content areas. The chart also indicates if that lesson contains a ready-to-use reproducible activity page for your students.
This Teacher’s Guide features a variety of methods and projects for those educators who strive for differentiated instruction in their classrooms. The lesson plans are divided into two grade levels. The first group is for upper elementary and middle school students; however, the activities can be easily simplified for lower elementary grades. The next set is directed towards high school level students and can also be used with adult groups.
In both levels, the lesson plans are grouped into two categories. In “Seeing the World Differently” students focus on how we use our senses and how the world appears to someone without vision. “Acceptable and Accessible” begins with an historical perspective on attitudes towards people with visual disabilities. It also discusses the evolution of disability rights and opportunities in the U.S.
A section called “After the Field Trip” helps your students process their experience at the Exhibition and extend what they have learned from DIALOG IN THE DARK beyond the classroom. The “Resources” section contains a variety of materials and references: a timeline activity, facts on visual disabilities in the U.S., a list of recommended books, and additional project ideas.
Correlations to relevant national curriculum standards as well as state curriculum requirements are located at the end of the Guide. Teachers will find something to engage students of all skill levels and interests on a field trip to this Exhibition. Thank you for sharing this innovative learning experience with your students. We look forward to seeing you at DIALOG IN THE DARK...Your Senses Will Never Be The Same.
Register today to receive your free copy of the DIALOG IN THE DARK Teacher’s Guide.
