A Mind at a Time: America's Top Learning Expert Shows How Every Child Can Succeed by Mel Levine Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.37 You Save: $12.63 (79%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of A Mind at a Time: America's Top Learning Expert Shows How Every Child Can Succeed
Book Review: Technically Proficient w/Solid Advice for Parents/Teachers
Summary: 5 Stars
"A Mind at a Time" dives deep into hard wiring of children and offers us an insight into their needs that we can use to adjust how we approach their education. As an elementary school teacher in a private school, we were asked to read this book for an all faculty discussion this quarter. I found it very helpful in understanding the diverse instructional needs of all of the children in my class. I was also able to use some of the suggestions in the book to develop Individual Learning Plans for my entire class that are not too cumbersome or take away from the curriculum.
Last quarter we read and discussed "The Child Whisperer" by Matt Pasquinilli. These two books are profoundly different, but powerfully complimentary. Where Levine talks about the individual needs and learning styles of our children, Pasquinilli describes the basic emotional foundation and communication skills that all children need to start school with. I strongly recommend reading both books to get an enhanced understanding of what children need in order to learn.
Book Review: Thank you Dr. Levine
Summary: 4 Stars
I loved this book because I believe that every child is unique and I appreciate being reminded about the complexity of the brain and why it should be expected that we all have little quirks. Educators can sadly have blinders to differences in learning style. Mel Levine's work reminds me of Howard Gardner's in many ways. I sense that he truly cares about kids and I like that he supports what is best practice in education. Levine says he can learn more about a child by getting to know that child than by reading a list of test scores........let's hear it for that! Levine says, "sometimes you fix a weakness by pursuing strengths." I support that positive approach. To enhance my teaching I found many great quotes perfect for Back to School night and parents who have borrowed his book have enjoyed it immensely.Book Review: The Best Book on the Market for Your Struggling Learner
Summary: 5 Stars
Dr. Levine's book, A Mind at a Time, is so comprehensive that it is challenging to pare it down to a few essential ideas. He begins by telling the reader why he is "a pediatrician with a mission". He endeavors to accurately describe the struggles of unsuccessful children, to explain the brain's working and dysfunctions which we all experience and see in others, and to provide a "road map" for parents and teachers to knowledgeably observe their children's cognitive development. This observation by a trained eye allows for early detection of breakdowns in learning as well as necessary identification of a child's cognitive strengths, overall assets, and consuming passions. Interestingly, research into problematic learning is also a study of all learning, and how the brain is supposed to function. Only when we are equipped with accurate information regarding a child's diverse kind of mind can we begin to explain why they are struggling and how they can best conquer or compensate for these challenges. It is vital that this knowledge be openly shared with young developing minds so that they know from the start that they are not what they feared, but rather free to grow stronger given the knowledge and help they need to succeed.
Dr. Levine's text covers an overview of the ways of learning, and how lifestyle choices can help or hurt an individual's learning styles. He then goes on to detail the eight neurodevelopmental systems, chapter by chapter: the Attention Control System, the Memory System, the Language System, the Spatial Ordering System, the Sequential Ordering System, the Motor System, the Higher Thinking System, and the Social Thinking System. These systems develop at diverse paces, but must be utilized to grow strong and to stay strong. Although complex and detailed, this book is written in terms a layperson can understand with some thoughtful reading and perhaps a little rereading.
Chapter 10 is devoted to helping the educator or parent pinpoint the areas of breakdown based on evidence from past productivity, behaviors, and learning difficulties. Dr. Levine has divided these areas of breakdown into particular profiles based upon recurring patterns that occur with particular types of brain wiring. He explains each profile, giving case studies to better illustrate what may be typical of each profile. He also details different emotional mindsets that can interfere with a child's achieving his or her potential, and provides strategies to overcome those negative behaviors. Finally, he addresses the benefits and possible detriment of testing, and the outcomes in adulthood.
Dr. Levine adds several additional chapters to provide even more tools for working with different kinds of minds. He discusses the management of a profile, which is broken down into stages: demystification, accommodations, interventions at the breakdown points, strengthening strengths and affinities, protection from humiliation, and using professional therapies. He devotes a whole chapter to provide parents with best methods for nurturing these children at home. He also devotes a chapter to the teacher's role and what types of policies are practiced in "a humane school".
I especially appreciate Dr. Levine's kind heart, which is evident throughout this book. He encourages parents and educators who know a child with a brain that is not meeting necessary demands not to give up on that child, and don't allow them to give up on themselves either. He reminds us that our minds are not stagnant, but come into their own with time. School is the hardest thing that many of these kids are ever going to have to face, because it focuses so intensely on particular skills, such as math and language, while devaluing other important skills, such as interpersonal abilities and creativity. He also reminds us that report cards are notoriously poor predictors of a child's potential. Throughout the numerous case studies, Dr. Levine is an encourager, an empowering force, the voice of hope and predictor of success. His position, experience, and knowledge of current research lend weight to his optimistic determination. Later, at the end of each chapter detailing the neurodevelopmental systems, Dr. Levine lists strategies, a tool box of helpful, practical information to help students, their teachers, and their parents in ways that are immediate and useful. He considers these children to be heroes and heroines, distinctively different in their learning styles, but valiantly courageous in their ability to cope, their resilience, and their will to overcome.
Dr. Levine has covered his topic completely, with every avenue of possibility addressed appropriately and in the most humble, helpful manner. I have worked with a developmental pediatrician who trained under Dr. Levine, and I can say without any hesitation, if I was younger, I would jump at the chance to train under Dr. Levine myself.
Book Review: The Keys to a Child's Academic Success
Summary: 5 Stars
Mel Levine stresses the importance of parents and teachers taking the time to identify each child's strengths and learning style --and he clearly explains how to do exactly that. Then you can better determine what method of instruction would be the best match to the child's particular way of thinking. This effort will in turn help the child increase his level of performance as well as his degree of self-esteem as he becomes more confident that he is capable and indeed CAN accomplish goals. As a teacher and parent, I feel that nurturing the "social and emotional intelligence" of a child goes hand-in-hand with attention to developing his "cognitive intelligence". The way we choose to discipline and communicate with children on a daily basis plays a very important role in how a child perceives himself. The more he feels understood and valued, the more effort he will put to the task of accepting the responsibility to change for the better. As a pre-school teacher, I believe that it is important to begin building a foundation for academic success and a healthy sense of self-esteem long BEFORE grade school begins. If you have preschoolers (ages 2-5), in addition to the outstanding academic guide addressing cognitive intelligence-- "A Mind at a Time", I highly recommend a very practical discipline and communication reference called "The Pocket Parent." This book offers hundreds of specific skills and strategies to help parents and teachers communicate more effectively with young children.Book Review: Why Aren't Our Students Learning?
Summary: 4 Stars
Dr. Mel Levine believes the answer to this questions lies within neurodevelopmental dysfunctions, which are the basic instruments of learning and compose the wiring of our brains. In our schools, these dysfunctions are being overlooked, misdiagnosed, and labeled, perhaps as ADD and Learning Disabilities. Through various case studies, Dr. Levine assesses different dysfunctions that impede a child's ability to perform well in a school environment. He looks at these deficits, not from a hope to eradicate, but in order for students, parents, and teachers to be able to monitor and accommodate so actual learning can take place. He introduces the concept of the Managementt by Profile System, which uses the term management to communicate, "we aren't aiming for a cure, nor do we particularly care to totally revise any developmental mind." As educators, we have the opportunity and responsibility to teach our kids through various learning strategies and to be aware of which kids falter and those who succeed. He is truly calling teachers to be informed of brain development and the neurodevelopmental functions that are employed in the educator's particular subject matter. If we can change our thinking in this direction, we could exercise various teaching strategies and different ways for kids to learn, making the classroom a more inclusive environment. And isn't that what it's all about? Trying out different methodologies in order to find what will foster growth and learning in our students. I appreciated Dr. Levine's encouragement of awareness of these differences and the celebration of the diversity that we find.