From Dollars to Degrees Lesson Plan From Dollars to Degrees
Daily Braille Literacy for Adults
Duration 30 min
Objective
Students will correctly transcribe expressions involving common special symbols (currency, percent, degrees) and simple numeric fractions into braille.
Approach
Direct instruction, guided practice, and hands-on activities tailored for adult learners.
Why it Matters
Accurately transcribing these symbols and fractions is essential for adults to read and understand financial documents, recipes, and daily news, promoting independence.
Preparation
Review slides and activity sheets
Ensure braillewriters or slates and styluses are ready
Print puzzles and worksheet
Required Materials
Special Symbols Slide Deck
Braille Puzzles
Real World Math Worksheet
Braillewriter/Slate & Stylus
Instructional Sequence
5m
Review of Indicators
Begin with a quick review of previously learned braille indicators. Ask students to transcribe a few simple words or numbers to activate prior knowledge.
10m
Introduce Special Print Symbols ($, %, °)
Use the Slide Deck to introduce the braille symbols for currency ($), percent (%), and degrees (°). Explain spacing and placement rules. Model transcription for several examples on a braille display or board.
8m
Guided Instruction: Simple Numeric Fractions
Transition to simple fractions. Explain the braille fraction line and how to transcribe numerators and denominators. Provide examples of proper and improper fractions. Guide students through examples together.
7m
Practice Transcribing Mixed Problems
Distribute the Braille Puzzles and Real World Math Worksheet . Have students work individually or in pairs. Circulate to provide support and answer questions.
Special Symbols Slide Deck From Dollars to Degrees
Mastering Braille Symbols
Teacher Notes:
Welcome students and briefly recap the purpose of learning braille symbols for common print symbols. Mention that these are vital for everyday documents.
The Dollar Sign ($)
Braille Symbol
,$
(Dots 4-5-6, Dot 2-3-4)
Placement
Placed directly before the number it modifies.
Example
Print:
$5.00
Braille:
,$500
Teacher Notes:
Introduce the dollar sign braille symbol. Emphasize its placement and how it affects the following numbers. Ask students to try writing $10.00.
The Percent Sign (%)
Braille Symbol
.%
(Dot 4-6, Dots 2-3-5-6)
Placement
Placed directly after the number it modifies.
Example
Print:
25%
Braille:
25.%
Teacher Notes:
Introduce the percent sign braille symbol. Explain its usage and provide examples. Discuss how it's different from the dollar sign in terms of spacing.
The Degree Sign (° )
Braille Symbol
,°
(Dots 4-5-6, Dots 1-2-6)
Placement
Placed directly after the number it modifies.
Example
Print:
72°F
Braille:
72,°f
Teacher Notes:
Introduce the degree sign symbol. Common uses are for temperature or angles. Note the follow-on capital letter 'f' or 'c' if used for temperature.
Simple Numeric Fractions
Fractions help us describe parts of a whole, like in cooking or measurements.
1/2
3/4
5/8
We use a special symbol for the fraction line!
Teacher Notes:
Transition to simple numeric fractions. Explain the components: numerator, fraction line, and denominator. Show the braille equivalent for the line next.
The Fraction Line
Braille Fraction Line
/
(Dots 3-4)
Formatting
Numerators and denominators are written in standard braille numbers.
1/2
1/2
3/4
3/4
5/8
5/8
Teacher Notes:
Highlight the fraction line symbol (dots 3-4) and how it separates the numerator and denominator. Practice a few together on the board.
Putting It All Together!
Dollar Sign
,$ (Dots 4-5-6, 2-3-4)
Percent Sign
.% (Dots 4-6, 2-3-5-6)
Degree Sign
,° (Dots 4-5-6, 1-2-6)
Fractions
/ (Dots 3-4)
Encourage students to ask final questions before moving to practice activities.
Money and Fractions Braille Puzzles Money and Fractions Braille Puzzles
Braille Transcription Practice
Student Name:
Date:
Instructions: Transcribe each print expression into braille in the provided work area. Pay close attention to indicator placement and spacing rules.
Puzzle 1: Money Matters
$10.50
$25.00
$0.75
$123.45
Puzzle 2: Percent Power
5%
50%
100%
Puzzle 3: Degree Dilemmas
32°F
90°
180°C
Puzzle 4: Fraction Fun
1/3
3/5
7/8
2/10
Real World Math Worksheet Real World Math Worksheet
Everyday Braille Literacy
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Read each real-world scenario and transcribe the specific numbers and symbols into braille in the provided boxes.
1
You bought a coffee for $3.25 . How would you write $3.25 in braille?
2
The store is having a sale: everything is 20% off! How would you write 20% in braille?
3
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of sugar. How would you write 1/4 in braille?
4
The temperature outside is 68°F . How would you write 68°F in braille?
5
You got 90% on your braille transcription quiz. How would you write 90% in braille?
6
A pizza was cut into 8 slices, and you ate 3 of them. How would you write 3/8 in braille?
7
The bill for dinner was $45.75 . How would you write $45.75 in braille?
8
The angle measured 45 degrees. How would you write 45° in braille?
Symbols and Fractions Answer Key Answer Key: From Dollars to Degrees
Symbols and Fractions Transcription
Teacher Resource
Money and Fractions Braille Puzzles
Puzzle 1: Money Matters
$10.50
,$10.50
Dollar indicator (dots 4-5-6), dollar symbol (dot 2-3-4).
$25.00
,$25.00
$0.75
,$0.75
$123.45
,$123.45
Puzzle 2: Percent Power
5% 5.%
50% 50.%
100% 100.%
Percent symbol (dots 4-6, dots 2-3-5-6) follows the number.
Puzzle 3: Degree Dilemmas
32°F 32,°f
90° 90,°
180°C 180,°c
Degree (dots 4-5-6, 1-2-6) follows number, followed by letter.
Real World Math Worksheet
1. Coffee Bill ($3.25)
,$3.25
2. Sale Discount (20%)
20.%
3. Sugar Fraction (1/4)
1/4
4. Outside Temperature (68°F)
68,°f
5. Quiz Score (90%)
90.%
6. Pizza Slices (3/8)
3/8
7. Dinner Bill ($45.75)
,$45.75
8. Angle Measure (45°)
45,°
Key Braille Symbols
Dollar Indicator: ,$ (Dots 4-5-6, 2-3-4)
Percent Symbol: .% (Dots 4-6, 2-3-5-6)
Degree Symbol: ,° (Dots 4-5-6, 1-2-6)
Fraction Line: / (Dots 3-4)
