C-A-N-E! Celebrating White Cane Day Together

Group lesson plan for elementary students geared towards White Cane Day.

Group Lessons

Intended for Elementary Students

Goals

  • Build community and help students feel comfortable with peers and adults.
  • Introduce White Cane Day in simple, positive language.
  • Give students space to share about their canes and feel pride in using them.
  • Create a group project (song, chant, or skit) for presentation.

Materials

  • Student white canes (or extras for demonstration).
  • Drum, shaker, or rhythm instrument (optional, for chant/song).
  • Large paper, markers, braille writer/embosser (optional).
  • Any props for skit (chairs, scarves, hats - teachers may adapt as needed).

Agenda

  1. Welcome & Icebreaker
    1. Script:
      1. "Hello friends! Today is a special day - White Cane Day! We are going to learn why this day is important, and we'll make something together to share later. But first, let's get to know each other!"
    2. Activity Option:
      1. "Cane Move & Name or chosen move without cane": Each student says their name and does a fun move with their cane (swish, tap, sweep). Everyone repeats the name and copies the move.
  2. What Is White Cane Day?
    1. Script:
      1. "White Cane Day is a time to celebrate people who are blind or who have low vision. The white cane helps us walk safely and do things by ourselves. The cane shows everyone that we are independent and proud!"
    2. Discussion prompts:
      1. "What do you like about your cane?"
      2. "What is something you've done with your cane that made you proud?"
      3. "If you have a friend who uses a cane what do you admire about them?"
  3. Activity
    1. Learn a new song:
      1. Chant/Sing: White Cane Day Chant (to the tune of "BINGO")
        There was a tool that helps us walk,
        The cane is here to guide us! C-A-N-E,
        C-A-N-E,
        C-A-N-E,
        The cane is here to guide us!
      2. Students without canes can shake/tap musical instruments.
  4. Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
    1. Script:
      1. "Great work, everyone! You learned about White Cane Day and made a project together. I can't wait for you to share it later. White Cane Day is all about pride, independence, and celebrating who we are."