Pedro's Whale

SAVE when you order the guide and the illustrated children's story together!

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.

ISBN-13: 9781598571608

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Brookes Publishing

Publication Date: 09-01-2010

Pages: 32

Product Dimensions: 8.20(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.40(d)

Age Range: 4 - 8 Years

Paula Kluth, Ph.D., is one of today’s most popular and respected experts on autism and inclusive education. Through her work as an independent consultant and the high-energy presentations she gives to professionals across the country, Dr. Kluth helps educators and families create responsive, engaging schooling experiences for students with disabilities and their peers, too. An internationally respected scholar and author, Dr. Kluth has written or cowritten several books for Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., including “You’re Going to Love This Kid!”: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom, Second Edition (2010); Pedro’s Whale (2010); From Tutor Scripts to Talking Sticks: 100 Ways to Differentiate Instruction in Kâ?“12 Classrooms (2010); “A Is for All Aboard!” (2010); “A Land We Can Share”: Teaching Literacy to Students with Autism (2008); and “Just Give Him the Whale!”: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism (2008).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.