by Jen Bryant
Grade K-3

Description

Six Dots is a picture-book biography of Louis Braille, a blind boy so determined to read that he invented his own alphabet.

Discussion questions from SOMN

• Have you ever faced an unexpected challenge where you have had to struggle and persist in order to succeed?
• Why is it important to be a reader? How does reading affect your knowledge of the world around you—and beyond? Can reading help you understand other people? How? Do you consider reading to be a joyful experience? Why or why not? Express your thinking in some way: an illustration, a poem, a graphic organizer, a paragraph. Share your thinking with a partner or in a small group.
• Examine the back matter (Author’s Note, Q and A, additional resources) included in Jen Bryant’s book. What was most helpful in deepening your understanding of Louis Braille’s life? Explain your thinking.
• Were you surprised by Louis’ age when he invented Braille? What other things have kids invented?

Classroom activities from SOMN

• Pass around examples of books written in Braille, or the Braille alphabet. Resource: https://www.nbp.org/
• Using the Braille alphabet or an online translator have students write their names in Braille.
• Write an acrostic poem in Braille inspired by the story.