The Myth of Ability
Nurturing Mathematical Talent in Every Child
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
John Mighton’s revolutionary bestselling guide to how every child can learn math through his groundbreaking JUMP program.
A student in a remedial class who couldn't count by twos is now in an academic program a year ahead of her grade level. An entire Grade 3 class, including so-called slow learners, scores over 90% on a Grade 6-7 math test. These are just two of mathematician John Mighton's many success stories since he started JUMP (Junior Undiscovered Math Prodigies), a not-for-profit organization providing free math tutoring for elementary-level students from low income homes.
In The Myth of Ability John Mighton tells JUMP's fascinating story and explains its teaching method with lots of simple examples.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Parents whose children are struggling with math will welcome this accessible, anecdotal account of a charitable tutoring program called JUMP (Junior Undiscovered Math Prodigies) founded by Canadian author Mighton (A Short History of Night) and currently serving elementary-level students in the Toronto area. Taking an upbeat approach, Mighton argues that we're all born capable of learning anything. In part one, he explains how, as a young playwright in need of extra work, he got involved in math tutoring and was dismayed by traditional teaching methods. Part two of the JUMP approach gives specific problem-solving examples on such topics as fractions, multiplication and division, ratios and percents, and logic. The emphasis is on providing a support system and building the student's confidence and self-esteem. Patience and time are the keys to success, not standardized tests. Though he doesn't belong to the education establishment, Mighton has recently been able to get his program tested in three West Virginia schools. Readers inspired to set up a branch of JUMP in their schools can find more information at www.jumptutoring.org.
