A Mind at a Time

Tales of creative, clumsy, impulsive, nerdy, intuitive, loud-mouthed, and painfully shy kids help Levine define eight specific mind systems (attention, memory, language, spatial ordering, sequential ordering, motor, higher thinking, and social thinking). Levine also incorporates scientific research to show readers how the eight neurodevelopmental systems evolve, interact, and contribute to a child's success in school. Detailed steps describe how mental processes (like problem solving) work for capable kids, and how they can be finessed to serve those who struggle. Clear, practical suggestions for fostering self-monitoring skills and building self-esteem add the most important elements to this essential--yet challenging--program for "raisin' brain." --Liane Thomas

It's weakness, however, is that it provides very little guidance on what you should do if you have one of these problems. Basically, the author says that the individual should try to cope until they are out of school and then find a job that matches their strengths. I should hope we can do better than that! Afterall, 14 years of school is a long time to just cope!


Really, really interesting, but leaves out the importance of   November 5, 2004
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I really liked "A Mind at a Time." It is so nice to read a book that recognizes the importance of different learning styles. Unfortunately, many children who do not fit into the "normative" ideals that many educators are looking for. These kids are pathologoized and given an unnecessary diagnosis (e.g. ADD/ADHD). A Mind at a Time looks at this subject in a way that has been very helpful to me. I wish there was more input on parenting, but that is probably beyond the scope of this book. I have found a lot of help from a book entitled "Systemic Parenting: An Exploration of the Parenting Big Picture" (Gaskill). I think Systemic Picture answers some the "how" and "what do I do" questions that were lingering in my mind after completing A Mind at a Time." Both very good books for parents.


Highly overrated   July 11, 2004
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

Mel gave a presentation at our school a number of years ago. He was am impassioned, motivational speaker. Last year this book was required reading for all the teachers at the school where I am employed. Most of us did not read very much of it because we were put off by the book. In fact, there is a running joke among the teachers that Mel really thinks "there are no lazy students". Other reviewers have mentioned the lack of literature research. Personally, I think that Howard Gardner's work on learning styles is far more useful that Levine's.


A Mind at a Time   February 23, 2004
This should be mandatory reading for everybody in the field of education and all parents of newly diagnosed chidlren with ADHD.
Includes very profound statement to the effect of "We expect our children to master Reading Writing and Math & etc. but we do not expect the samething from adult. Think about that statement.


Finally...a common sense approach to education.   October 31, 2003
Rocco B. Rubino (Ohio)
Dr. Levine's landmark book does more than "celebrate differences," it offers a fresh, clear-eyed, common sense view of how this country needs to educate her children.

For too long public education has clung to the Ford-assembly line model, one-size-fits-all paradigm of education, and this is not going to provide a productive, cutting-edge workforce for the 21st century.

This book will challenge the reader to re-think some of their long held assumptions about how children are to be education. You cannot read this book and think the same about your child's education. I know that this has been the case with me.

Dr. Levine has provided a valuable resource to educators and parents alike.