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Maiyah Calhoon (pictured), a fourth-grader in Julie Klepinger's class at Pierceton Elementary School, had a great experience recently as she and her classmates participated in Community Based Instruction activities. The students went to the bowling alley in Columbia City. They practiced finding the counter, paying for bowling and shoes, communicating their shoe size, finding the lane and a ball, and bowling while taking turns and encouraging others. Following bowling, the students went out to eat at Arby's where each student practiced finding the counter, ordering food, getting condiments and other items, finding a seat, and socializing with friends while displaying appropriate behavior. The students spent many weeks before their trip preparing for the community experience by counting money, practicing placing food orders, reading social stories and role playing. The activities the students participate in through Community Based Instruction prepare them to live and participate in leisure activities as independently as possible. Other Community Based Instruction activities Pierceton students participate in include swimming lessons at the YMCA, viewing movies at a movie theater, and eating at a restaurant. Pictured with Calhoon is a PES instructional assistant Heather Simon.
