New Book: The Myth of Ability by John Mighton

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

I picked up a book today at Costco and was wondering if anyone has read it or even heard of the author. It is called “[b]THe Myth of Ability: Nurturing Mathematical Talent in Every Child.[/b]” by John Mighton.

At first glance it looks pretty good with excellent suggestion…but I ahve not read it yet or tired it with my own child.

:?: Has any one heard of John Mighton, is he credible or well known in the field of Learning Disabilities?

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/13/2004 - 6:39 PM

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I forgot to mention, it is a Canadian book and you it is listed on Chapters website here

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?N=35&R=1662572&act=A03&Item=978088784693&Section=books&Catalog=Books&Lang=en&mscssid=K6NAHRANGRVD8G0645R505RL8AV55CG2&WSID=1301F4DA2C130CAE41339F0D02C53C69FECF2513[url]

Submitted by Sue on Sun, 01/18/2004 - 9:27 PM

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It sounds interesting — and even familiar, but that could be because it’s something I tend to bring up in discussions of math.
If the author is trying to convince people that there really isn’t some mysterious mathematical gift bestowed on 5% of the population, leaving the rest of us to be “just not good in math,” (or, depending on your perception, 95% — somehow people always think nobody else is struggling) then it’s a good starting point.
What’s it like?

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/22/2004 - 5:17 PM

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I found this book informative. The author believes that anyone can learn math and anyone can teach it through this method he developed (while tutoring remedial students.)

He simplifies concepts so that they are easy to understand. About half the book, explains his methodolgy in fractions, multiplication and division, ratios and percentages. It is an easy to read and understand book.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 02/07/2004 - 10:37 PM

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You can check out the website: www.jumptutoring.org
The organization (a volunteer one) makes its manual available to families and volunteer organizations for tutoring programs. It is very small, does not market to schools, and publishes its unit tests on line where you can check out the program, which has been used and tested in several inner city schools in Toronto.

Jan L.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 02/13/2004 - 9:50 PM

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I just ordered the book! It sounds like he uses a method similar to what the Calgary Association for Adults & Children with Learning Disabilities did in a scripted manual for teaching fractions. I used it with a slow learner and she did fabulously well. Unfortunately, it is no longer available. The manual is mentioned on the sites I found that described JUMP, but there is no mention of how to obtain one. Do you have to be a JUMP volunteer to get one? Can anyone tell me where I could purchase one?

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