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Based on the real-life event that inspired Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz's bestselling "Just Give Him the Whale!," this simple but powerful story introduces educators to one of the best, most effective inclusion strategies: using students' fascinations to help them learn.
Pedro, a young boy who loves whales more than anything, is heartbroken when he's told to put away his favorite toy whale on the first day of school. But then Pedro's teacher discovers the secret to helping him do his best work: not only giving him his whale, but also incorporating his special interest into the whole curriculum. Soon, Pedro's whale is helping all the children learn, as the teacher works whales into math lessons, storytime, simple science experiments, and more! Pedro's whale helps him make friends, too, as the other children start to share his special interest.
An ideal teaching tool, Pedro's Whale will inspire educators to harness their students' natural motivations. The engaging, full-color illustrations (by Justin Canha, a gifted artist on the autism spectrum) also make this book perfect for storytime, so all children can increase their sensitivity to peers with special needs and learning differences.
Everyone who reads Pedro's Whale will remember its eye-opening message: when you work with instead of against what students love, they feel safe, happy, and ready to learn. Used in tandem with "Just Give Him the Whale!," this enlightening story will help teachers maximize inclusion and ensure that students with and without disabilities reach their full potential.
Paula Kluth, Ph.D., (she/her) is a consultant, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. She is a former K-12 special educator who has served as a classroom teacher, co-teacher, and inclusion facilitator. Paula has also been a university professor and taught courses on both inclusion and disability studies. Most recently, Paula's work has centered on helping teachers and administrators educate all students in their schools and classrooms. She also frequently works with families and advocacy groups to support goals related to inclusion. In addition to inclusive education and autism, her professional interests include universal design for learning, co-teaching, and educating students with complex support needs.
Paula is the author or coauthor of 15 other titles including Universal Design Daily, 30 Days to the Co-Taught Classroom (with Dr. Julie Causton), Don't We Already Do Inclusion?: 100 Ideas for Improving Inclusive Schools, and Just Give Him the Whale: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism (with Dr. Patrick Schwarz). She is also the author of a few books for children, including Coaster, a story of a puppy with wonderful wheels.
You can find out more about Paula's work by visiting her web site, www.inclusionrules.com, or by connecting with her on social media (@paulakluth).
Check out our spotlight on Paula Kluth! Discover downloadable tip sheets and watch a video Q&A. Patrick Schwarz, Ph.D., is Professor of Diversity in Learning & Teaching for National-Louis University, Chicago. A dynamic author and motivational speaker, Dr. Schwarz is also Chief-Executive Officer of Creative Culture Consulting, LL. His books From Disability to Possibility: The Power of Inclusive Classrooms (Heinemann, 2007; and "Just Give Him the Whale!" 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise and Strengths to Support Students with Autism (2008) have inspired teachers nationwide to reconceptualize inclusion in ways that help all children. Dr. Schwarz's professional focus is furthering education and services that promote the status of individuals with a range of support needs. He works to facilitate successful engagement in carious environments, allowing people to make contributions and develop experiences that are meaningful to them.
Justin Canha is an accomplished artist who also happens to have autism. His childhood passion for drawing animals and cartoon characters revealed an innate talent that attracted the attention of the mainstream art community when Justin was just 14 years old. Just explores a wide range of subjects that showcase his clever sense of humor and unusual sensitivity to human and animal relationships. Featuring unique characters he has created, Justin's computer animations are full of action-packed stories, while his paintings celebrate still life and portraiture. Justin's drawings and illustrations demonstrate the intensity and perspective of the autistic mind and serve as a powerful form of communication.
Justin first appeared on the New York art scene in the well-received Autism/Aspergers Art Exhibit in January 2005. Since then, Justin's career has been steadily gaining momentum. He received an Honorable Mention at the Studio Montclair Taboo Exhibition, and portions of his animations were recently incorporated into a hip-hop music video. Justin's work has been shown at the Beacon Firehouse Gallery, Montclair State University, and most recently at the JCC in Manhattan and at Bloomfield College. Justin's artwork has been featured at the Ricco/Maresca booth at the Outsiders Fair in New York city; in Sidecars, a short documentary by Ben Stamper; and in Autism: Communicating in a Different Way, a documentary by Gary Keys. It also was shown in the August 2006 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine. In April 2009, his artwork was shown at the Art Chicago, the world-renowned international contemporary and modern art fair. Most recently, Justin's artwork was exhibited at the Morris Museum in Timeless: The Art of Drawing and at the Adelphi University. In October 2009, Justin received an award for his artistic achievement at the Louder Than Words autism benefit held at Montclair State University.
In addition to illustrating, Justin's illustration commissions include the cover of "Just Give Him the Whale!" as well as a new line of math books for young children on the spectrum called IBET (Integrated Behavioral Experimental Teaching).
Justin is presently taking college-level courses in cartooning and animation at Bloomfield College, Montclair State University, and Pace University and working in the community in Montclair. For more information on Justin and to see more of his artwork and his animation, visit his website: http: //www.justinart.com.
