ART EDUCATION FOR THE BLIND
INDEPENDENT LIVING AND SOCIAL SKILLS THROUGH THE ARTS
A MODEL PROJECT
■ Activity Plan ■
- Activity Plan Overview
- Activity Plan 1: Introduction, Curriculum Overview, Role Play
- Activity Plan 2: The Mechanics of Eating
- Activity Plan 3: The Mechanics of Eating, Part II
- Activity Plan 4: Providing Adaptive Equipment
- Activity Plan 5: Field Trip to the Library
- Activity Plan 6: Setting the Mood – Dining Ambience
- Activity Plan 7: Making Healthy Food Choices – We Are What We Eat!
- Activity Plan 8: Making a Pyramid – and Placing Your New Snacks in its Food Group
- Activity Plan 9: Making Quick and Healthy Means to Go – Lunch Prep
- Activity Plan 10: Let’s Go Shopping!
- Activity Plan 11: Express Yourself
- Activity Plan 12: Share A Meal
- Activity Plan 13: Understanding Place Settings
- Activity Plan 14: Final Event
- Come to the Table Songs by Brian Muni
- Books for Kids
Activity Plan 1: Introduction, Curriculum Overview, Role Play
Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Duration: 45 Minutes
Materials: Formal dining place settings (2), including plates, glasses, utensils, tablecloth, candlestick, name cards, and a crown and tiara for the king and queen, a robe and costume jewelry to simulate dining with royalty.
Tactile art and museum components: Music -- either recorded or live performance.
Objectives and Outcomes:
- To present an introduction to COME TO THE TABLE, a 17-week program exploring themes of food and eating, appropriate table skills, behavior and etiquette, conversation and socialization; designed for children and tailored to the visually impaired. Role-play by teachers, staff, and students of the Do’s and Don’ts of sitting down to a meal.
- Role-play modeling dining with a United States President, principle English Queens and/or other important people.
- Introduce program theme songs.
Suggested topics for class discussion: History and intro to etiquette and meal sharing.
- The word "company" is derived from Latin, meaning "bread with," and therefore "those who share food." Sharing a meal is a symbol of acceptance of cultural values.
- Meals consist of: starters (sometimes called appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, or antipasto), salads, entrees, and desserts.
- Explain the three main meals shared in a day: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Why are meals important?
- What happens during meals? (Jobs involved; people eat, socialize and celebrate.)
- Why are manners important?
- What is etiquette? Class discussion might also include asking students and teachers to describe what meals are like in their homes and what an ideal eating experience might be.
- Nutrition concerns.
- Money management.
Assessment:
Active participation in classroom discussions, role-play, and music activities.
Songs: Play and sing along with the students
Come to the Table; Share a Meal
