Caleb has, for a very long time now, exhibited a love of “SCIENCE!” It started with a butterfly unit in preschool and has never really let up. This is one of those things I know would be exactly the same even without fragile X. This boy loves science, he loves the natural world, he fixates on animals and documentaries. Frozen Planet rocks his socks off, Walking with Dinosaurs stops him in his tracks and I cannot even describe the awesomeness of Myth Busters (BOOM!)
When we were writing the IEP that would take Caleb from Kindergarten to First Grade, we tried very, very, very hard to convince them that science would be a better idea for inclusion than math. The team didn’t buy into that and…well…Monkey proved us right.
The new team, awesome as they were, also didn’t buy into Science as a good time for inclusion. We instead ended up replacing math with Writing Workshop which was, in hindsight, an inspired choice. It was perfect for him.
I still thought he should be included during Science though. He loves it, he is calmed by it, he will focus on it. I understood the hesitation because they don’t get to see him choosing documentaries over movies, they don’t get to see him so enthralled with whatever amazing thing is unfolding in front of him that he forgets to eat. Like with many things, Monkey needed only a chance to be able to prove himself. That chance came last week.
Last week Caleb’s inclusion class did a hands on science activity about compost. And this is what happened…
Caleb’s teachers are now planning to include him with future hands on science activities. One of these days I think we might even convince them to let him study the solar system with the class too. Baby steps.
So awesome and such amazing pictures!!
Holly Usrey Roos liked this on Facebook.
beautiful ;’-)
Love it!
His teacher has been taking SO many photos of him with the iPad this year that he’s become used to being a super model, lol.
Stacey Riley McCune liked this on Facebook.
Crystal Rodriguez liked this on Facebook.
Aimee Freedman liked this on Facebook.
Christina Walker liked this on Facebook.
Love his focus & helpful nature evident in the photos:)
Cara Zamelsky Capela liked this on Facebook.
Robyn Sheldon liked this on Facebook.
Tammy Dinger liked this on Facebook.
I’ve been trying to figure out for hours now the comment I wish to make about this blog entry, and I just can’t come up with the words to describe how truly awesome it is. There are so many things to love here. First, I’ve always LOVED science, so I love to see other people finding that same joy in science. I secretly pray that Grady will love science too. Second, I love how engaged and focused Caleb is in those photos. They are truly priceless! Third, I hope that Caleb’s teachers chose to continue including him in these kinds of activities. He clearly thrives doing it! He’s teaching the other kids!!!! How cool is that?! You must be so proud!
Jack AndAnn Tennis liked this on Facebook.
Christie Clark Friedman liked this on Facebook.
Chelsea Owens liked this on Facebook.
this is just amazing to watch. he is so into wnat ne is doing and is being so very careful! thank you for sharing these amazi ng pnotos and continue to show calebs lprogress! he is adorable