Just recently I was teaching my AP Biology class about viruses. I was explaining that viruses, specifically
bacteriophages, inject their genetic material into bacterial cells and take over the machinery of the bacteria, which forces the cell to make proteins for the virus. As soon as I finished making this statement, Chris chimes in "using RNA." I was totally floored by this statement, because Chris was making the connection from a previous concept that was covered in my class. He knew that protein synthesis involves using RNA. Since the viruses use the bacteria to make protein, then naturally they must be using RNA. What is so awesome about this statement is that Chris has a traumatic brain injury and is one of the students in the Moderate-Severe program that is enrolled in my AP class. The inclusion program has been more than just the social growth that has taken place, it is also about "meaningful learning" as
Maizel would say.
Right after Chris said "using RNA." Jocelyn said "and DNA", because the genetic material is DNA. Jocelyn wanted to demonstrate that she knows what's going on too. By the way, Jocelyn is a student with Down Syndrome.
Every week there are moments like this, that confirm the inclusion classes have been worth the extra work. If you had told me on the first day of this class, that Chris would be volunteering insightful answers to unasked questions, then I would have said "No way." The first day of class Chris was feeling so much anxiety from this completely new room filled with 35 students, that he had his knees pulled up to his chin with his lanky arms wrapped them, and he was rocking back and forth. He wanted no part of this new classroom. But the school year would not be the same without him in my class.
