Page 50 - The Exceptional Harley Fetterman

JUDY K JOHNSON

write the remaining 5 in the one's column. Add the 1 you “carried”
over to the ten's column and repeat the process into the hundred's
column, for a final sum of 355. Harley was using an abacus which
actually utilizes a slightly different method of regrouping. He was
able to cleverly combine use of his mental math and his abacus to
correctly answer his teacher's question on math regrouping problems.
Even though Harley excelled in math, he did have problems
writing about the process he used when solving problems. The
curriculum required being able to show math processes with words
and pictures. He would have preferred to just give the answer.
“I just know the answer—I just look at it and I know the answer.”
Harley seemed disgruntled when he had to write down the steps of
how he solved the problem. He eventually acknowledged the value of
being able to clarify his method if he just happened to have an
incorrect answer—although this seldom happened.
Harley's diligent efforts in pursuing his education did not go
unnoticed. In recognition of Harley's excellence in character and
education pursuits, he was awarded the Star Student Award at his
completion of second grade.
During third grade, Carolyn Mason, his VI coordinator, began
introducing basic computer code which is an adaptation of Braille to
allow precise representation of computer-related terms such as
programs, program lines, computer commands, and filenames. Unlike
standard 6-dot Braille scripts, this method employed extended 8-dot
Braille patterns. The additional 256 Braille characters are assigned to
8-bit computer encoding. Using computer code, Harley could then
print his schoolwork done in BrailleNote in a readable form for
teachers and parents who were not proficient in Braille. His VI
coordinator no longer had to print alphabet letters above Harley's
Braille letters.

The Perkins Brailler was then only used for certain math concepts,
graphing, and chart concepts. Harley had no difficulty switching
between the various Braille codes for different types of work. Harley
really didn't use the BrailleNote calculator. Since kindergarten, he had
been using an abacus for learning number place value and math
problems. He was advanced way above his grade level in addition,

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