Circle Time Braille
[email protected]
(Picture of activities in book kit)
Ruby in Her Own Time
Teacher Guide
Ruby in Her Own Time
By Jonathan Emmett
Illustrated by Rebecca Harry
Theme: Ruby in Her Own Time is a Circle Time Braille kit focusing on counting skills and duck Fun Facts.
(Scholastic rates the book K-2)
This Circle Time Braille Kit Contains:
Tactile Books:
 Illustrated print book with Grade II braille added
 Print/braille/tactile book (Grade I)
Auditory Story: Ruby in Her Own Time arranged and recorded for Circle Time Braille Kits by Christine
Barton @ 2011 www.christinebarton.net
Songs:
 5 Little Ducks recorded for Circle Time Braille by Christine Barton © 2011.
www.christinebarton.net
 6 little ducks that I once knew
 Little Ducklings Poem (act out actions) recorded for Circle Time Braille by Donna Gurley
 Peck Peck Peck Poem (written by Aileen Fisher) recorded for Circle Time Braille by Donna Gurley
Objects:
 Realistic toy duckling
 Egg Count: 6 Eggs/carton/6 small rubber ducks
 Braille Number Egg Game: (6 eggs/carton/dice)
 Duck Race: 6 Small rubber ducks/dice/ game board (small regular dice and large fuzzy dice)
 Egg Hunt Number Hunt: foam ovals each with one braille letter
 Quacking Egg Hunt: egg(s)
 Crack The Code Egg: Plastic Easter Eggs/brailled numbers
 Vocabulary Words- laminated braille index cards
 Sequence Cards – laminate/tactile braille index cards
 Word Tree Book: small spiral notebook; creating braille rhyming words with “-uck”
*Some objects will be used in more than one activity
Computer Games:
 Ruby in Her Own Time Fun Facts (multiple choice)
 Ruby in Her Own Time Vocabulary Words (multiple choice)
 Counting Game (count the number of times a sound is made; multiple choice answers)
For additional ideas, YouTube videos, etc, do an Internet Search. Pinterest has a whole board on Ruby in
Her own Time! http://www.pinterest.com/elmira712/reading-street-ruby-in-her-own-time/
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Teacher Hints -Before the student reads the story:
 Define and describe the various parts of a duck using the realistic duck model.
Encourage your student to explore the duck. Caution! When the duck’s
tongue is pressed, the duck will quack and move its wings! As the student
touches various parts of the duck, explain (on his/her level) what each part
is and what that part does. If appropriate, use the Duck Vocabulary Words
Realistic feathered
duck model
when exploring the model duck. The Duck Fun Facts will help explain the
parts of the duck.
 Introduce the Vocabulary Words with the student (Use brailled index cards; see “vocabulary
words” under Activities listed below). When reading/listening to the story, ask the student to
clap each time he/she comes to a vocabulary word. Be sure to prompt the student if he/she
misses a vocabulary word in the story. There are additional Duck Vocabulary Words that are not
in the story. The Duck Fun Facts are more challenging and may not be appropriate for younger
students. These Fun Facts words are used in the Fun Fact computer game.
 When teaching a beginning braille reader, re-read the book multiple days in a row. Depending
on the student’s current reading abilities, the first day the teacher may read the book, asking
the student to follow along filling in a familiar word here and there. Ruby In Her Own Time does
not have repetitive phrases, rhyming words, or other techniques that help a student easily
anticipate the words in the story; therefore, if the student is not currently reading sentences,
emphasize comprehension and other reading techniques more than decoding each word. This
story is a great read-aloud circle time story (where the teacher reads the book). Read the story
together multiple days in a row, encouraging the student to follow along (if appropriate) and to
find specific repetitive words (such as Ruby or duck) and if possible, to read parts of the page as
he becomes more familiar with the story and anticipates the words. Repetitive reading
encourages many pre-reading skills and comprehension as well as giving the student
opportunities for success!




This story is intended to be read to the student; however, reading the book may be appropriate
for an older or more advanced student who is working on reading skills such as fluency, speed,
comprehension, decoding, etc.
Predict Question: There is a felt star on the top right hand corner in the print/braille/tactile
book. When on this page, the teacher should stop and ask the “prediction” question. General
prompt, “What do you think is going to happen?” If the student needs a specific prompt, “ Ruby
flies fly off into the distance. What do you think she will do next?”
Transcribers Note: Grade II Braille in the illustrated/print/braille book corresponds with the
print. Grade I Braille is used in the print/braille/tactile book. The tactile illustrations in Ruby in
Her Own Time are created to be as realistic as possible and to demonstrate additional concepts,
such as having wings that move to indicate how a duck flies. Discuss the tactile illustrations and
how fragile these particular illustrations are prior to allowing the student to explore them.
Story Repetition: In this story, the Father Duck asks if Ruby will ever ____ (hatch, eat, swim,
etc.) and the Mother Duck always answers, “She will in her own time.” Encourage the student
to chant, “She will in her own time.” The very last question, the Mother Duck asks if Ruby will
she ever come back and the Father Duck replies, “She will in her own time.” Discuss how the
Mother Duck always believes in Ruby. (This is a great way to lead into the journal prompt.)
Activities:
 Vocabulary Words: Introduce vocabulary words prior to reading the
story!
Howling- a long, loud, sad sound
Broad-wide from side to side
Among-in the middle, surrounded
Brailled vocabulary
Distance-far away
words
*When reading/listening to the story, ask the student to clap each time
he/she comes to a vocabulary word. Be sure to prompt the student if he/she misses a
vocabulary word in the story!
 Duck Vocabulary Words: (These duck words are more challenging and may not be
appropriate for your student; these concepts are NOT part of the story.)
Waddle – rock from side to side
Bill – a duck’s mouth
Drake – a male duck
Hen – a female duck
Duckling – a baby duck
Spoil – turning bad, rotten, smelly
Clumsy – awkward, tripping
Float - to stay above water; not to sink
Oval – almost round in shape (egg)
 Duck Fun Facts:
Duck’s Bill – The duck’s mouth is called a beak or bill. It is usually broad and flat and has
rows of fine notches along the edge. These notches help the duck to grip its food so that it
will not slip off.
Duck’s Feet – Ducks have webbed feet, which are designed for swimming. Their webbed
feet act like paddles for the ducks. Because their feet are webbed, they tend to “waddle”
instead of walking straight. Ducks cannot feel the cold in their feet even when swimming in
icy cold water. Their feet do not have nerves or blood vessels to feel the cold. The webbed
feet are powerful, allowing the duck to swim fast.
*Teach the student to “waddle like a duck” (do not bend the knees, toes out; tuck the




thumbs under the armpit and flap (to make wings) and quack!
Easy Duck Fun Facts:
-Ducks are water birds.
-Ducks love to swim.
-Ducks waddle when walking on land.
-Duck feet are webbed and are far apart which helps them swim.
-Ducks can swim, walk and fly.
-Ducks live in nests by the edge of the water.
-Baby ducks hatch with their eyes open and can walk and swim right away.
-Ducks have feathers that are waterproof and keep them warm.
-The duck’s mouth is called a bill. Bills are flat and rounded.
-Ducks quack.
-Female ducks are called “hens” and males are called “drakes”.
-Duck eggs are shaped like an oval.
-Ducks eat grass, plants, pond weeds, water snails and some
insects.
Sequence Cards: (Laminated, brailled index cards with tactile illustrations)
Introduce the sequence cards after reading the story
Students place three tactile/brailled sequence cards in order of the story.
1. There were five eggs in the nest. (tactile egg in nest)
2. Ruby is the last to eat and swim. (tactile baby duck on water)
3. Ruby flew far and high. (tactile duck flying above water)
Who, Did What, When, Where and Why?: Comprehension game
Brailled & tactile
(currently teacher questions; will be a computer game); Teacher
Sequencing cards
chooses which “W” questions to ask (may only use Who did What?):
After reading the story, ask the student Who? (Who was in the story? –
naming Ruby, Rory, Rufus, Rosie and Rebecca; Mother Duck and Father Duck) Did What? (What
happened in the story? Baby ducks wandered off for a swim – Ruby was always behind looking
at things, storm came up and ducks were lost; Ruby found her way home because she
remembered the things along the way) When? (When did the ducks start their swim? Swimming
on a nice day and then the storm came) and Where? (Where were the baby ducks? swimming in
the pond and then home to the nest) and Why? (Why was Ruby able to find the way back?
Because Ruby paid attention to things along her route and was able to figure
out the route home.)
Word Tree Book: (Small spiral notebook with rhyming “–uck” word family.)
Student moves each Velcro letter from the left side of the page to the Velcro
in front of the “-uck” to create a new rhyming word. (“-uck” (tuck, puck,
duck, luck, yuck, buck, muck) Be sure to show the student that the braille is Notebook with braille
letters to make
on the bottom of the wooden tiles and the top of wooden tile is slightly rounded.
rhyming words
Egg Count: (Rubber ducks numbered 1-6, eggs and egg carton)
Tell the student to pick a duck from the duck pond. Have the student read
the braille number on the duck (or read it to him). The student will count
and place the same number of eggs in the “nest” (egg carton). (Ex: If the
student picked the duck with the #4, then he will place four eggs in the
carton.) Repeat choosing another numbered duck.
Egg carton, ceramic
*Modifications: Substitute one die for the numbered Rubber Ducks. Ask
egg & braille
the student to roll the die, determine the number and place the equivalent
numbered duck
number of eggs in the egg carton. For more advanced students, numbers
can be brailled on index cards; simple addition or subtraction facts (with answers up to 6) can
also be brailled on index cards and substituted.
*If appropriate, have the student name the corresponding braille number positions (dots 1-6)
as the eggs are removed from the egg carton.
*Student can places eggs in the carton in various ways in order to make different braille letters.
Example: See how many letters can be made with two eggs: “b”, “c”, “e”, “i”, etc.

Rubber Duck Race: (dice, 6 rubber ducks, and game board)
Line the ducks up on the foam strip in order of their attached numbers. Use
either the large fuzzy dice or the regular dice. (The fuzzy dice are easier to
count the numbers and typically do not roll very far.) Roll the dice. Move the
corresponding numbered duck one space. (If 3 and 4 come up on the dice,
then duck numbers three and four will both move forward one spot.) Each
duck will stay in his own lane (between the fuzzy lines) and will move only one
space at a time. Students can take turns rolling the dice and counting the
numbers. If both die have the same number, the duck will move forward



Numbered rubber ducks
on board game
two squares. The first duck to cross the finish line is the winner. Each person
should choose a duck to cheer to the finish line!
Crack the Egg Code: (Plastic Easter Eggs, brailled numbers 1-9)
*Teach that the rounded edge of the wooden tile is on top. The braille
number has a notch on the upper right hand corner.
Place a brailled number inside each Easter Egg. Tell the student to pick and
Plastic eggs & brailled
egg and “crack” it open, and then read the number.
numbers
Braille Number Egg Game: (Ceramic Eggs, egg carton, dice)
Review the egg carton number positions (dots 1 – 6). The teacher can call out a
letter and the student can create that letter by placing the eggs in the
corresponding egg carton holes. The teacher can call out the numbers and the
student can place the eggs and name the letter. The teacher can place the eggs
and ask the student to identify the numbers/letter. The student can switch and be
the “teacher”.
*Modification: Roll two dice. Place an egg in the corresponding carton slot.
Ceramic eggs,
carton dice
(Example: Dice rolled #1 and #3, place an egg in the corresponding braille dot 1
position and braille dot 3 position in the egg carton.) Name the braille letter
(dot 1 and dot 3 creates the letter “k”). If you roll doubles, then you lose your turn and the next
student (or teacher) takes a turn. Continue to roll one dice and add the next egg to create a new
letter. If the same number comes up again, you lose your turn. Whoever rolls all six numbers
without duplicating a number wins. (Or whoever rolls the most times in a round, wins the
round.) You must name the created letter correctly or you lose a turn.
* Can roll the dice and put egg in that position. Can roll two dice and put two eggs in the carton
and see if it makes a letter. If not, can the student figure out how to make a letter by adding
another egg?
*braille number/ letter on each index card and have student “make” the braille number/letter
by placing eggs correctly in the carton.
Quacking Egg Hunt: (Egg or eggs)
One student is designated to be the parent duck and leaves the room or closes their eyes. Hide
eggs around the room. Have the "duck" return to find the eggs. The other students are
ducklings; they “quack” to help the seeker. Tell students to quack louder and faster when the
parent duck is close to an egg.
Modified Egg Hunt: Teacher hides eggs in a defined area (set the limits so that it is not too
difficult for the visually impaired student to find the eggs). You can

choose to hide eggs in similar locations and give clues: all the eggs are “under” an object (such
as under the chair, under the table, under the book, etc. Be sure to use a small defined area.)
Egg Hunt (Numbers): (foam ovals each with one braille number)
Show the student how to position the eggs in order to read the numbers quickly: The ovals have
a punched out hole on the LEFT side of the oval. The braille number sticker is notched on the
top right hand side.
Place egg letters around the classroom where the student will be sure to find them. (Use rolled
masking tape to attach the foam eggs to the wall, table, chair, etc.)
Foam ovals with braille
Encourage the student to look for the eggs and to find the entire
numbers
alphabet or numbers #1-10, etc. “Hide” the eggs all over his/her desk
(on top of the desk, under the desk, attached to the legs, etc.) Other fun places might be the
reading center, the classroom door, favorite playground equipment, etc. If randomly placed
around the room or hallway, try to place the eggs at a height where the student will
unintentionally find the eggs (trailing height, near the door handle, by the water fountain, etc.) If
appropriate, encourage sighted peers to leave the eggs until braille student locates them.
Sighted students should be taught to give “good” directions – height, direction, landmarks.
(Example: “The egg is waist height, to the right of the cubby.”)
Go to www.CircleTime Braille.org to hear/play the auditory poems,
auditory story, songs, and computer games.

Little Ducklings poem – unknown author; recorded for Circle Time Braille by Donna Gurley
(teach/ model the actions – especially fun with a group)
The Little Ducklings (act out actions)
All the little ducklings
Line up in a row.
Quack, quack, quack,
And away they go.
They follow their mother,
Waddling to and fro.
Quack, quack, quack
And away they go.
Down to the big pond
Happy as can be.
Quack, quack, quack
They are full of glee.
They jump in the water
And bob up and down,
Quack, quack, quack,
they swim all around.
All the little ducklings
Swimming far away.
Quack, quack, quack,
They'll play another day

Peck Peck Peck poem by Aileen Fisher; recorded for Circle Time Braille by Donna Gurley
Peck Peck Pec
Peck, peck, peck
on the warm brown egg.
Out comes a neck.
Out comes a leg.
How does a chick
that's not been about
discover the trick
of how to get out?


*Act out poem: Curl up the floor. Use one finger to tap the air (peck, peck, peck). Lift head and
stretch neck out. Stick out leg. Stretch and stand up. Stretch hands out, shoulder height, palms
up and “shrug” shoulders.
Waddle like a duck:
After learning about duck facts (including the webbed feet and how a duck walks), teach student
to waddle like a duck. Again, describe the physical waddle, why the duck waddles, and
demonstrate the duck waddle. Teach the student to “waddle like a duck” (do not bend the
knees, toes out; tuck the thumbs under the armpit and flap (to make wings) and quack!
(If possible, have student wear child-size swimming fins/flippers and have the student try to
walk with them on.)
*Modification: compare how the duck waddles with other animals and play SimonSays using
animal walks (walk like an elephant, hop like a bunny, jump like a frog, fly like a bird, etc.)
Duck, Duck, Goose!
Have the students sit in a circle facing each other. Select one student to be “it” and walk around
the circle. As he walks around, he will lightly tap each child’s head and name the student a duck
or goose. There can only be one goose. Once a child is called “goose” he will chase “it” around
the circle. “It” must run all the way around the circle and back to goose’s original spot (and sits
down) before he is tagged. If the goose does tag “it”, “it” must sit in the center of the circle.
The goose becomes “it” for the next round.
Computer Games:
The Circle Time Braille computer games are accessed through the Circle Time Braille website,
www.CircleTimeBraille.org or the games can be accessed through the link in this teacher guide. (If you
are viewing this teacher guide on-line in the Circle Time Braille website, simply click on the specific
computer game title below.) These games were originally created as software that had to be
downloaded and played on individual computers. They are presently being upgraded to a web browser
platform (games that are played while on-line). Currently, not all of the games have been converted to
the web browser; however, those games should be available soon. The web browser computer games
are organized under the title of the book (Ruby in Her Own Time). The actual questions for the Ruby in
Her Own Time computer games are listed below.
Many of the Circle Time Braille computer games have been created using the Hark the Sound software
which was developed under the guidance of Dr. Gary Bishop, computer science professor at the
University of North Carolina. Go to www.HarkTheSound.org to play these and other wonderful
computer games designed for students with visual impairments.

Ruby in her Own Time Fun Facts (multiple choice/fill in the blankk computer game)
A duck’s bill is wide and flat because______( it is made to dig in mud for plants and
insects).
A duck waddles because ______ (its feet are webbed and wide apart).
Water rolls off a duck’s back because _____ (the feathers are covered with oil).
You can tell when an egg is spoiled because____ (when placed in a bowl of water, it
floats).
You can tell when an egg is good because ____ (when placed in a bowl of water, it
sinks).
A duck eats _____. (Grass, pond weeds, water snails and insects)
A duck’s nest is made out of _____ (twigs, mud, pine needles, grass).
A duck’s feet are webbed because ______ (they are made for swimming).
Duck feathers help keep the duck _____ (warm and dry).
Male ducks are called _____ (drakes).
Female ducks are called ______ (hens).
Baby ducks are called ______ (ducklings).
Duck eggs are _____ shaped. (oval)
A duck____ .(swims better than most animals and can fly)
Baby ducks hatch with ____ .(their eyes wide open and they can walk and swim right
away)




Ruby in Her Own Time Vocabulary Game: (multiple choice computer game)
Howling - a long, loud, sad sound
Broad - wide from side to side
Among - in the middle, surrounded
Distance - far away
Waddle – rock from side to side
Bill – a duck’s mouth
Drake – a male duck
Hen – a female duck
Duckling – a baby duck
Spoil – turning bad, rotten, smelly
Clumsy – awkward, tripping
Float - to stay above water; not to sink
Oval – almost round in shape (egg)
Hark Counting (hear the sounds and count the number of times you hear each sound)
Journal prompt – Ruby, in her own time, learned to swim and fly. Tell/write about something
that you learned to do, in YOUR own time. Journal computer game not yet available
SamiSays Sequencing prompts - SamiSays computer game not yet available
Songs: Access songs at www.CircleTimeBraille.org
5 Little Ducks - recorded for Circle Time Braille by Christine Barton @ 2011 www.christinebarton.net
Five little ducks went out to play
Over the hill and far away
The mother duck said "Quack, Quack come back"
Four little ducks came running back
Four little ducks went out to play etc....
One little duck went out to play
Over the hill and far away
The mother duck said Quack, Quack come back
No little ducks came running back
The daddy duck said QUACK, QUACK COME BACK! (yell)
Five little ducks came running back (sing Quickly)
*Actions: five fingers, swim motion (breast stroke), over the hill (right hand, palm down, going
up/down hills while moving across in front of body to the LEFT), ‘quack” (hand like duck mouth
open/shut), motion “come back”; over the hill (left hand, palm down, going up/down hills while
moving across in front of body to the RIGHT); repeat with four fingers, etc.
Six Little Ducks
Six little ducks that I once knew
Fat ones, skinny ones, fair ones, too
But the one little duck with the feather on his back
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack
Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, quack
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack
Down to the river they would go
Wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble, to and fro
But the one little duck with the feather on his back
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack
Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, quack
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack
Expanded Activities -parent/teacher ideas
(Use your OWN materials for these activities!)
 Make a Duck Nest:
Provide students with sticks, grass, leaves, twigs, pine needles, pebbles, mud/clay. Encourage
students to create their own bird nest. Discuss why birds use these things (that they find in their
natural environment) to keep their eggs warm. If possible, bring in a real bird’s nest for the
student to explore.

Duck Race (create your own duck race-similar to Duck Race in this kit)
Materials: 6 rubber ducks (numbered 1 – 6), pair of dice (large fuzzy dice work well!), masking
tape
Starting at the end of the table (or on the floor) line up the ducks side by side. Place a strip of
masking tape in front of the ducks, making a line starting beside the first duck and ending after
the last duck. Place the next strip of masking tape (parallel to the first strip) with approximately
4” between the first and second strip. Repeat until there are at least 6 strips of masking tape.
The last strip of masking tape is the finish line. Have the student roll the dice then identify the
number that is on top of each dice. Move the corresponding duck one space forward. (Ex: if the
first die shows the number 2 and the second die shows the number 5, then duck #2 and duck #5
both move forward one space.) Each person picks a duck and cheers that duck on to the finish
line! The first duck across the finish line wins.
*variation: Substitute stuffed animals, model horses, toy cars, etc. for ducks – anything that can
“race”!

Duck Feathers
Discuss the expression “Like water off a duck’s back”




A duck has water-proof feathers. Ducks has a special gland called the “Preen Gland” that is near
their tail. This tiny gland produces oil that is used to coat (water proof) its feathers. The duck
picks up the oil with its head and beak, and then it smears the oil over its body. Without the oil,
the duck’s feathers would become water-logged. Beneath the oiled feathers, the duck has soft,
fluffy feathers that keep him warm.
*Collect duck feathers (or other bird feathers). Show your student how the feathers repel water
by putting the feathers on the table and squirting a small amount of water on them. Can
compare the duck feathers with other more absorbent materials (such as felt, cotton, etc.) and
squirt small amount of water on absorbent material. Try rubbing baby oil on the
student/teacher’s arm; drizzle water over the arm and see what happens. (Water will “beadup” or run off.)
Rotten Egg:
Discuss how eggs spoil – that they should be kept refrigerated – and what a “rotten egg” smells
like. Discuss the phrase “rotten egg” (such as the phrase, “Last one in is a rotten egg!”) The gas
(hydrogen sulfide) causes the “rotten egg” smell. Bacteria breaks down the proteins in the
whites of the egg, creating gas. Rotten (bad) eggs can make you sick. Raw eggs can be quickly
tested for freshness.
Fill a cup/bowl with very cold water (with ice) and place the raw egg in the water. The
water should cover the egg – at least 2x higher than the egg. If the egg sinks, the egg is
fresh. If it floats, it is spoiled.
An egg that is a week or so old will lie on the bottom but will bob slightly.
An egg that is three weeks or so old will balance on its small end; large end will be up.
A rotten (bad) egg will float.
The egg floats because the air pocket inside a rotten egg is bigger. (The egg loses moisture and
carbon dioxide; the gas pocket increases.)
Matching Eggs: variety of egg pairs (Use your own plastic Easter eggs, ceramic eggs, etc.) and/or
different sizes of eggs. Or, take pairs of plastic Easter eggs and decorate them with different
textures.
Match the eggs and place them in the nest, basket or egg carton.
*Modification: Take pairs of plastic Easter eggs and place different things inside to make
different auditory sounds. Carefully super glue the egg halves together and periodically check to
make sure that the eggs do not come apart and cause a choking hazard with young students.
Rice, beans, coins, etc. can be placed inside the eggs to create the different sounds. Students
with color vision can match the pairs of plastic eggs by the colors.
Duck Waddle: Teach the student to “waddle like a duck” (do not bend the knees, toes out; tuck
the thumbs under the armpit and flap (to make wings) and quack!
*Show how the duck feet/fins help ducks/people swim faster by using a tub of water (water
table, large tub, or sink). Have the student move his/her hands in a swimming motion through
the water (put hands under water and pull through the water). Try pulling the water with
his/her fingers wide apart then try again with fingers together and slightly cupped. Which has a
strong “pull” making a better swimmer? Having the fingers together is like the duck’s webbed
feet.
Cook with Eggs: learn to crack eggs, make scrambled eggs, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPaMPA-iPls five little ducks youtube video