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The Myth of Ability
John Mighton has recently
written
a well-received book about his work and experience with JUMP. Called The
Myth of Ability: Nurturing Mathematical Talent in Every Child, the
book
is now available through the House of Anansi Press (click here
for
details or to place an on-line order).
Initial
Reviews
of The Myth of Ability
"It's amazing to read a book
about
math that's not only readable, but offers real hope and concrete
solutions
for all of us who thought we were just "no good at math", and for all
of
our children. This book is one of the first exciting things I've read
about
education in a long time.
The theories outlined in The Myth of Ability have a wonderfully
simple
logic to them. It's as if John has allowed himself to be back in a
child's brain and develop a whole math program that operates from that
perspective. I know from my own child that the method works ― that it
engenders enthusiasm
and excitement about math while instilling basic and complex math
skills.
His idea that every child should be able to succeed, and that the aim
of
good teaching should be to narrow the gap between the weakest and the
strongest
students is, sadly, a revolutionary one. And his excitement about his
idea
is contagious. By the end of reading this book, you believe John when
he
says that by opening up our minds to new methods of teaching and
learning
we can "accomplish more as a society than all the towering geniuses of
the past"."
― Annie Kidder, People for Education
"This is a unique book, a remarkable fusion of general insights and
specific
practices. Teachers of mathematics will be grateful for the author's
clear
and consistent pedagogy, parents will derive concrete help and
affirmation
from his practical examples, while "the experts" in the field of
education
will be left muttering: "I wish I had thought of this approach." Those
who
may want to write yet another thesis on why certain groups within a
population
are inherently more apt at mathematics than others had better look for
another
project. The myth of ability has been laid to rest and I, for one, am
very
thankful for it."
― Ursula Franklin, University Professor Emerita,
University
of Toronto
"John Mighton might well become the nation's math conscience. He not
only
knows that all children can master genuine mathematics but has
repeatedly
proved so with his brilliant, no-nonsense tutoring program."
― Andrew Nikiforuk, Education Writer and winner of the
Governor
General's Award for his book, Saboteurs
Errata for The
Myth of Ability
Unfortunately, a few errors
were
missed while editing The Myth of Ability. Please click here for appropriate
corrections.
We
apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. |
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