Hadley

Contracted Braille

Workshop 1: Alphabetic Wordsigns

Note: If using a screen reader, it may be helpful to reread through the activity sentences character by character to check for punctuation.

Opening

Hadley presents Contracted Braille, Workshop 1: Alphabetic Wordsigns.

Page 1

First, make sure you have your braille workbook with you.

If you don’t already have one, call Hadley at 847-784-2816, and we’ll mail one right out to you.

Feel the letters “g,” “c,” “d,” “l” in the top left corner of the page.

You’ve already learned these as letters. Now, in contracted braille, each of these letters can be read as words.

When a letter stands alone—that is, not touching any other letter—it is read as a word.

This contracted word is called an alphabetic wordsign.

Find the line in the middle of the page.

Above the middle line, you will find four boxes containing braille words. Use your scanning skills to find the four boxes.

In the first box, you’ll find “g.” When g is by itself, it is read as the word “go.”

Now check out the second box.

“C” is the word “can.”

In the third box, “d” by itself is the word “do.”

And in that last box, “l” is the word “like.”

Now below the middle line, you’ll find a row of words.

Let’s read these words together: “go,” “can,” “do,” “like.”

Turn the page.

Page 2

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

You now know that c stands for the word “can.”

Find the line in the middle of the page.

Above the middle line, scan to find four boxes containing words.

Which box contains the alphabetic wordsign “can?”

If you picked the third box, you found the word “can.”

Below the middle line, you will find four rows of braille words.

Place your fingers at the beginning of the first row.

Now read these four words in the first row.

Which word is “can?”

It’s the second word.

Find the word “can” in the next row.

If you picked the first word, that’s right!

Next, find the word “can” in the third row.

This time, the word “can” is the last word.

Finally, find the word “can” in the last row.

“Can” is the third word.

And if you ever want more time or practice, just pause or replay the page.

When you’re ready, turn the page.

Page 3

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

“G” stands for the word “go.”

Above the middle line, scan to find four boxes.

Which box contains the word “go?”

If you picked the second box, you found “go.”

Below the middle line, you’ll find four rows of words.

Place your fingers at the beginning of the first row. Go ahead and read the four words.

Which word is “go?”

If you picked the second word, that’s right!

Now, find “go” in the next row.

It is the first word.

Next, find the word “go” in the third row.

This time, “go” is the last word.

Finally, find the word “go” in the last row.

“Go” is the third word.

Turn the page.

Page 4

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

This is “d” for the wordsign “do.”

Above the middle line, find the box that contains the word “do.”

If you picked the last box, you found “do.”

Below the middle line, you’ll find four rows of words.

Place your fingers on the first row. Which word is “do?”

The third word is “do.”

Which word is “do” in the second row?

“Do” is the last word in that row.

And where is “do” in the third row?

If you said first, you got it!

Finally, find the word “do” in the last row.

“Do” is the second word.

Turn the page.

Page 5

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

“L” stands for the word “like.”

Above the middle line find the box that has the word “like.”

If you picked the last box, you found “like.”

Below the middle line, you’ll find four rows of words.

Place your fingers at the beginning of the first row. Read the four words.

Which word is “like?”

If you picked the last word, you found “like.”

Now find “like” in the next row.

It’s the second word.

Next, find “like” in the third row.

This time “like” is the third word.

Finally, find “like” in the last row.

“Like” is the first word.

Turn the page.

Page 6

Feel the braille words “go,” “can,” “do,” “like” in the top left corner of this page.

You’ve learned to read four alphabetic wordsigns.

Alphabetic wordsigns can touch punctuation and indicators like the capital indicator.

Find the line in the middle of the page.

Just as in Braille for Everyday Use, you can use the spacebar to pause and play this audio.

If you use a screen reader, you can find the pause button by moving through the screen as you would any web page.

In these contracted braille workshops, there will not be long pauses for each activity item.

Instead, use the pause button or the spacebar to stop the audio for as long as you want to complete an activity item.

Then select the play button or press the spacebar again to hear the feedback for that item.

Above the middle line, you’ll find three sentences.

Go ahead and read that first sentence. Select Pause while you read. Then select Play when you’re ready for the feedback.

It says, “He can go.”

All right, read the second sentence.

If you read, “We do go,” you got it.

Finally, read the last sentence. It says, “I like a cat.”

Below the middle line, you’ll find three rows of braille.

Which row has the words “can,” “like,” “go,” “do” in that order?

Again, we are looking for “can,” “like,” “go,” “do.”

If you picked the second row, you found it. Just replay this page if you’d like to try it again.

When you’re ready, turn the page.

Page 7

Feel the braille words “can,” “go,” “like,” and “do” in the top left corner of the page.

You’ve learned that alphabetic wordsigns are words that cannot touch other letters.

Above the middle line are two rows of braille. Go ahead and read the first phrase.

Again, for each phrase, select Pause to read, and then Play to get the feedback.

If you read, “I can,” you noticed that the wordsign for “can” is used, because “can” is standing alone, and not touching any other letters.

We’ve learned that a braille letter standing alone­—that is, not touching any other letter—is read as a word.

Now read the next phrase.

It says, “5 cans.” “Can” is spelled out, because it touches the letter “s”.

Below the middle line are four rows of braille.

In the first row, which is the correct braille contraction for the word “can?”

If you picked the second word, you’re right.

Now find the word “do” in the next row.

The second word is the correct contraction for “do.”

In the third row, which word is “likes?”

The first word is “likes.” The wordsign “like” is not used, because it touches the letter “s”.

Read the words in the last row and find “goal.”

That second word in the last row is “goal.” If you tried to use the alphabetic wordsign “go,” you would have the word “gal.”

Turn the page.

Page 8

Feel the words “like,” “go,” “can,” and “do” in the top left corner of the page.

Above the middle line, you’ll find two braille sentences.

Which sentence uses the alphabetic wordsign “go?”

The first sentence says, “We go.”

The alphabetic wordsign is not used in the word “goes” in the second sentence, because it is touching the letters “e” and “s.”

Below the middle line are three braille sentences. Read the first sentence.

It says, “I like gray, he likes blue.” Notice the wordsign for “like” is not used in the word “likes.”

Now try the second sentence.

Did you read, “Does he run like I do?”

Which alphabetic wordsign is used in this sentence?

Yes, “d” for “do” is used, but not in “does.” And “l” for “like” is used too.

Read the last sentence.

It says, “We go pick a mango.”

See how you cannot use “g” for “go” in “mango?”

Turn the page.

Page 9

Feel the words “can” and “do” in the top left corner of the page.

Alphabetic wordsigns can touch the apostrophe, so they can be used in words such as, “can’t.”

Read the word “can’t” in the first row above the middle line. This is “c’t.”

Remember, though, that alphabetic wordsigns must stand alone, meaning they cannot touch other letters.

Look at the word in the second row. This is the word “don’t.”

Notice the alphabetic wordsign “do” cannot be used here, because it touches the letter “n.”

Below the middle line you’ll find two rows of braille.

In the first row, find the correct braille for the word “don’t.”

If you picked the second word, you got it.

Now find the correct braille for the word “can’t” in the second row.

The last word is “can’t.” The alphabetic wordsign is used because it is standing alone.

Turn the page.

Page 10

Feel the words “can,” “do,” “like,” and “go” in the top left corner of the page.

Above the middle line, you will find two braille phrases. Go ahead and read the first phrase.

If you read, “To-do note,” you’re right.

Now read the next phrase. It says, “Plan a family visit.”

Using contractions is a handy way to make quick notes and save space.

Below the middle line, you’ll find five braille sentences for our to-do note.

Read the first sentence to find out who likes cannoli.

I like cannoli.

Now read the second sentence. Who can’t come?

Dimitri can’t.

Go ahead and read the third sentence. What does Jose need to get?

He needs to get canola oil.

In the fourth sentence, what does Mila like?

Yes, she likes popcorn.

Finally, read that last sentence. What will the family play?

They’ll play goalball.

Practice this page as many times as you’d like, and just give a braille expert a call if you have any questions. We’re happy to help.

When you’re ready, turn the page.

Page 11

Feel the letters “y,” “b,” “s,” “w” in the top left corner of the page.

Now you’ll learn the next set of alphabetic wordsigns.

Each of these letters, when standing alone, is read as a word.

Above the middle line, find the four boxes containing braille words.

In the first box, you’ll find “y.” When “y” is by itself, it is read as the word “you.”

Now check out the second box. “B” is the word “but.”

In the third box, “s” by itself is the word “so.”

And in that last box, “w” is the word “will.”

Below the middle line, you’ll find a row of words. Now let’s read these words together: “you,” “but,” “so,” “will.”

Turn the page.

Page 12

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

You now know that “y” stands for the word “you.”

Above the middle line, find the four boxes containing words.

Which box contains the alphabetic wordsign “you?”

If you picked the first box, you found the word “you.”

Below the middle line, you’ll find four rows of braille words. Place your fingers at the beginning of the first row.

Now read these four words. Which word is “you?”

It’s the last word. Find the word “you” in the next row.

If you picked the first word, that’s right.

Next, find the word “you” in the third row.

“You” is the last word in the third row.

Finally find the word “you” in the last row.

It’s the second word.

Turn the page.

Page 13

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page. “B” stands for the word “but.”

Above the middle line, find four boxes containing words.

Which box contains the word “but?”

If you picked the third box, you found the word “but.”

Below the middle line, you’ll find four rows of words.

Place your fingers at the beginning of the first row. Go ahead and read the four words.

Which word is “but?” If you picked the second word, that’s right.

Now, find the word “but” in the next row.

It’s the third word.

Next, find the word “but” in the third row.

This time, it is the first word.

Finally, find the word “but” in the last row.

It is the third word.

Turn the page.

Page 14

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

This is “s” for the alphabetic wordsign “so.”

Above the middle line, find the box that contains the word “so.”

If you picked the last box, you found “so.”

Below the middle line, you’ll find four rows of words. Place your fingers on the first row.

Which word is “so?”

The third word is “so.”

Which word is “so” in the second row?

“So” is also the third word in that row.

And where is “so” in the third row?

If you said first, you got it!

Finally, find the word “so” in the last row.

The second word is “so.”

Turn the page.

Page 15

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page. “W” stands for the word “will.”

Above the middle line, find the box containing the word “will.”

If you picked the second box, you found “will.”

Below the middle line, you’ll find four rows of words.

Place your fingers at the beginning of the first row. Read the four words.

Which word is “will?”

“Will” is the third word.

Now, find “will” in the next row.

If you picked the last word, you found it.

Next, find “will” in the third row.

“Will” is the second word.

Finally, find “will” in the last row.

It’s the first word.

Turn the page.

Page 16

You’ve learned four more alphabetic wordsigns!

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page. This is “you,” “but,” “so,” “will.”

Above the middle line are three sentences. Go ahead and read that first sentence.

Select Pause while you read, then select Play when you’re ready for the feedback.

Go ahead and read that first sentence.

If you read, “You can go ski,” you’re right.

Now, read the second sentence.

It says, “So will James.”

Last, read the third sentence.

Did you read, “But Rob will go home.”?

Below the middle line, you’ll find three rows of braille.

Which row has the words “will,” “but,” “so,” “you,” in that order?

The last row has the words “will,” “but,” “so,” “you,” in that order.

Turn the page.

Page 17

Feel the braille word “but” in the top left corner of this page.

Above the middle line, you’ll find the words “but,” “button,” and “halibut.”

Alphabetic wordsigns stand alone, so the letter “b” for b-u-t cannot be used in the words “button” and “halibut.” It should be spelled out.

Below the middle line are four rows of braille.

In the first row, find the word “tribute.”

Again, for each word, select Pause to find it and then Play to get the feedback.

In the first row, find the word “tribute.”

It’s that first word. The alphabetic wordsign “but” is not used here because it does not stand alone.

If you use only the letter b, the word becomes “tribe.”

In the next row, find the word “debut.”

If you picked the second word, you found it!

If the alphabetic wordsign for “but” is used, it would be read as “Deb.”

How about the word “soap” in the third row? Which is correct?

It’s the first word that says “soap.”

If you try to use the alphabetic wordsign for “so” in the second word, it is actually “sap.”

Finally, find the word “bayou” in the last row.

It’s the second word. Using the alphabetic wordsign “you” makes the word “bay.”

Practice this page as much as you want by replaying it.

When you’re ready, turn the page.

Page 18

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page. This is the word “you’ll.”

To be standing alone, alphabetic wordsigns cannot touch other letters.

However, they can touch punctuation and indicators.

The only exception is the forward slash. If these words are used next to the forward slash, spell them out.

Above the middle line, find three rows of braille.

In the first row, which is the correct braille for the word “you’re,” as in the sentence, “You’re my friend.”?

If you said the second word, that is correct!

In the second row, which correctly says, “so-so” with a hyphen?

You can use the alphabet wordsign here, so the first one is correct.

Now, in the third row, which correctly puts the word “but” in parentheses?

The second one is correct.

Below the middle line are four sentences. Read the first sentence.

It says, “Will you eat, so I can tidy up?”

Now try the second sentence.

It reads, “I can go by 4:30 (but only if you can go)!”

How about the third sentence?

“He will/won’t sit by you?”

Did you notice that the alphabetic wordsign “will” is not used next to the forward slash? The word “will” is spelled out here.

And the last sentence. What does it say?

It reads, “Gloria likes beef so-so, but loves pork.”

Turn the page.

Page 19

Feel the words “you,” “but,” “so,” “will” in the top left corner of this page.

Above the middle line are two names.

The first name is “Will,” and then “William.”

Alphabetic wordsigns can be used as names as long as they stand alone.

So you can use the wordsign “will” for the name Will but not in the name William.

Below the middle line are four names. Go ahead and read the first name.

If you said, “Mr. Youssef,” you are correct.

What’s the name in the second row?

It’s “Button Cane.”

Now read the name in the third row.

That name is, “Soon Lee.”

Finally, read the last name.

That is, “Will Williams.”

The wordsign for “will” could only be used for the name Will. In Williams, the alphabet wordsign is not standing alone.

Turn the page.

Page 20

Feel the braille words “you,” “but,” “so,” and “will” in the top left corner of the page.

Above the middle line, you’ll find two boxes with a list of words in each.

Which box has the words, “Willy,” “soon,” “you’d,” and “butte?”

If you found them in the second box, that’s correct.

Below the middle line, there are four sentences.

Read the first two sentences. Which is correctly brailled?

The second sentence correctly says, “Will can go; but so will you.”

Now read the third and fourth sentences. Which of these is correctly brailled?

This time, the third sentence is correct. It says, “Do you like to walk at noon?”

Turn the page.

Page 21

Feel the words, “will,” “so,” “but,” “you” in the top left corner of the page.

Above the middle line, you’ll find four rows of braille.

Find the “b” at the beginning of the first row. This is an alphabetic wordsign.

Then read the two spelled-out words after the wordsign.

Which word spells out this alphabetic wordsign?

Did you say “but?” That’s correct.

Which word in the second row spells out the alphabetic wordsign at the beginning of the row?

“W” is the word “will.”

How about the third row?

“S” is the word “so.”

And finally, which word in the last row spells out the wordsign at the beginning of the row?

It’s the word, “you.”

Below the middle line are five sentences.

Select Pause to read the five sentences and then Play to hear them.

Here is what they say.

“Can you buy a truck, so you can help?”

“I can drive, but I don’t like to.”

“We will wait—so do get a truck you like!”

You can call me, but I can’t go.”

“I’m sure I will like any truck you pick.”

When you’re ready, turn the page.

Page 22

Feel the word “gifts” in the top left corner of this page.

Let’s read this list of gifts you might make for your friends.

Above the middle line, you’ll find three rows of braille. Read the first row.

It says, “Cam: will like no food, so do knit gloves.”

Now read the second row.

It reads, “Raji: likes fudge I make.”

And read the last row above the middle line.

The last row says, “Bill: go to no fuss, but do get fruit.

Now let’s look at the five rows of braille below the middle line.

Read the first row of braille below the middle line. What does Mona like as a gift?

Yes, hair products.

Next, read the second row of braille below the middle line.

Instead of cookies, what does Meka like?

She likes cakes best.

How about the third row?

Edna doesn’t like gifts. What should you do instead?

Yes, just visit her.

This time, read the fourth row. Why should you bring pies to Mike?

If you said to bring pies because he doesn’t bake, you’re right.

Finally, read the last row. What will you and Grace do together for her gift?

Yes, I hope you take a long walk together.

You can practice this final braille activity as many times as you like. Just replay the audio.

Select Next to complete this workshop.

Completion

Congratulations! You’ve learned eight alphabetic wordsigns. If you’d like to talk to a braille expert, call 847-784-2816. We’re happy to help out!