Mnemonic DevicesWhat are they and what do

they have to do with braille?

Seeing Beyond the Horizon May 2014Lesley Anthony

What is a Mnemonic device?

• a strategy to link new information to previously learned information

• special techniques or strategies consciously used to make memorization an easier task

• Can be audio, visual, or kinesthetic

Why use mnemonic devices?

• Research has shown them to be effective with learners of varying ages and abilities.

• Relating the new content to the student's prior knowledge enhances meaning.

• They are fun!

Types of mnemonic devices

• key word - often used to remember new vocabulary; the learner makes a connection between the new word and an image involving a related word

• acronym – take first letter of each word and arrange them into a word - HOMES

• acrostic – make a sentence out of words that begin with the first letter of the words to be remembered - My very easy method just speeds up names.

Types of mnemonic devices

• Rhyme/song - I before E except after C or when sounding like A as in neighbor and weigh

• Actions -

Mnemonics and Braille

LettersPunctuationNumbersContractionsRules

Letters

• The tactile qualities of many letters can be taught by associating the shape of the letter with an object.

• May be a picture or the actual object.

Letters

Letters• The letters d, f, h and j can be associated with

the four corners of a page and the rhyme, frisky dogs jump high.

f d

j h

Letters

• The dot formations of the letters can be remembered through music.

• The Braille Rap song is available on the APH website:

http://www.aph.org/edresearch/braille_rap/

Letters

• The alphabetic word signs can be taught/reinforced through the Contraction Cheer.

• As you first introduce the cheer, students can repeat the alphabetic word contraction, but as you progress, students can supply the word themselves.

Contraction Cheer

Punctuation

• Period – low d for Done.

• Question mark –low h for How? Huh?

• Exclamation point – low f for Finally! or Fire!

Punctuation

• Opening / closing quotation marks

Numbers

• A1 is how we feel when we’re having fun!

• B2 is a vitamin that’s good for you!

• C3 PO is a robot that can go go go!

• D4 do and dog and door!• E is dots 1 and 5; hey e is #5!

Numbers

• F6 Fix the sticks!• G7 On the guitar sounds like heaven.

• H8 * both words begin with similar sounds

• I9 I hear “I” when I say nine!

• J0 J-e-l-l-o…

Contractions

• With /Of:With contains the letter w

Of contains the letter o

Contractions

• St / Ch:Stand up!

Chop it down!

Contractions

• Which letters when doubled, get dropped?Boys CherryCan’t FlavoredFight BubbleGirls Gum

bb, cc, ff, gg, and ea are sometimes called the sandwich contractions.

Initial Letter Contractions

• Dots 4-5:Upon my word; these are those whose dots are 4-5!

• Dots 4-5-6:456? Their world cannot have had that many spirits!!!

Final Letter Groupsigns

• Dots 4-6:46 danced shoeless around the count’s mansion.

• Dots 5 -6:In ‘56 there was action and excitement when a beautiful lioness was seen walking along the city fence.

Rules

• There are many rules that govern the use of contractions.

• Ex: 2 lower signs cannot come together without being in contact with an upper sign. How can we remember that rule?

Rules

You cannot build a house with two basements and no upper floor.

You cannot leave two children alone without an adult

More Rules

The capital sign is married to the letter…. Don’t let anything come between them!

And, for, of, the, with are so strong they beat out all other contractions.

More Information

• Conroy, Paula, and Peg Collins. "Mnemonic Devices for Braille Instruction." Insight: Research and Practice in Vision Impairment and Blindness 5.1 (2012): 47-52.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqQ3gdE7ks0