Bright Minds, Poor Grades: Understanding and Motivating your Underachieving Child
by Michael D. Whitley
|
List Price: $14.95
Our Price: $4.63
Your Save: $ 10.32 ( 69% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Perigee Trade
|
Average Customer Rating:  
|
|
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 370.154
EAN: 9780399527050
ISBN: 0399527052
Label: Perigee Trade
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 320
Publication Date: 2001-07-01
Publisher: Perigee Trade
Release Date: 2001-07-10
Studio: Perigee Trade
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Insightful but not quite for my needs
Comment: If a teacher has said your child may have ADD/ADHD or focus problems and that just doesn't feel right to you, the problems described in this book may be more accurate. My nine year old son is at risk of repeating third grade. Outside of school he has a passion for learning and amazes adults with what he knows and how he thinks, and he does not have any learning disabilities, yet starting homework is a real chore, he might forget to turn it in, and in class he'll simply avoid doing work. He prefers to rest on external excuses as though "I got distracted" or "I didn't understand the directions" is a perfectly viable reason for not getting his work done. Teachers suggested ADD or "focus problems" but the school psychologist ruled that out. So when I spotted this book in the library I picked it up. It has provided me with many valuable insights into why my son is acting this way and has given me some good ideas. However, this book is geared more toward students in middle and high school, where they are given specific letter and number grades and attend different classes. As a result, the advice is limited to what the parents can do, because there aren't many accommodations the schools can make at that point, and because the grades are objective and absolute. My son is still in grade school where the report card has subjective measures like "meets the standard" or "progressing toward the standard." His teacher is willing and able to help him. This book does not give me much advice for his teacher. Additionally, at age nine my son still takes me seriously, and his ability to make decisions are not as well developed as they will be in a few years, so the advice is slightly off target. Having said that, I still bought the book for myself. The insights are valuable as are the suggestions of what to change at home. Besides, it does a good job of scaring me as a parent with glimpses on how bad it could be if I don't address this now!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Simple, direct method for solving causes of poor grades
Comment: We found this to be a simple, direct method for solving causes of poor grades. Well written.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Comment: I bought this book partially based on all the positive reviews. However, I was extremely disappointed. The author never mentions that poor grades could be due to a learning disability or adhd. I understand this book is not about learning disabilities or adhd, but it should be mentioned as a possibility for those parent's who have not considered it as a possibility. I suppose the book would be helpful for some parents, but my copy is sitting around gathering dust.
Customer Rating:
Summary: This book is right on.
Comment: As I was reading this book I was amazed to read how right on it was with what was happening in my life. As stated in the book, if you are an underachiever yourself, you may find it difficult to help your child. I found this very true. I love everything about the book. I only wished that there was a clinic close by my home, so I could receive the help to overcome my underachieveedness (is that a word?). I tried by best to help by son and it really made my brain itch! It's a wonderful book and full of useful information. It just made so much sense and put a label on all those thoughts that have ran around in my mind for years and years.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Parent - Teacher Requirement
Comment: After a quick internet search I found many reviews on Amazon as well as several other sites for this book and called in an order for it at my local Barnes & Noble that same night.
Dr. Whitley has written this book in the most responsible and informative way without having to charge his readers for individual sessions! In my opinion this is a must read not only for parents of underachievers but also teachers and counselors. We have always tried to stress the same learning structure and goals as the teachers. However, if at home you are on Dr. Whitley's 10-step track and the teachers are still on a reward and punishment system - the parent needs to be proactive in dealing with the teachers and endeavor to obtain their support as a united front.
Although the steps may seem to be a cumbersome process at first read and initial implementation - the constant image of "Mr. Rogers" in the back of my mind is quite calming and thus the process can become a destressor for the parents. Of course, that may not be so for those parents of hard cases where the child is at the stage where he/she is capable of "frightening" resistance. Obviously, professional help with someone in-tuned with Dr. Whitley's methods would be more advisable than his book!
To me - this book is for the parents of students in 6th grade or less - and possibly 7-8th graders. These kids still have some moldability and aren't as likely to have other serious issues that could be the source of the problem (i.e. depression).
For the grammatically correct - the substance of the content of the book far outweighs any such errors that are more the fault of the editors than the author;0)
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: Insightful but not quite for my needs
Comment: If a teacher has said your child may have ADD/ADHD or focus problems and that just doesn't feel right to you, the problems described in this book may be more accurate. My nine year old son is at risk of repeating third grade. Outside of school he has a passion for learning and amazes adults with what he knows and how he thinks, and he does not have any learning disabilities, yet starting homework is a real chore, he might forget to turn it in, and in class he'll simply avoid doing work. He prefers to rest on external excuses as though "I got distracted" or "I didn't understand the directions" is a perfectly viable reason for not getting his work done. Teachers suggested ADD or "focus problems" but the school psychologist ruled that out. So when I spotted this book in the library I picked it up. It has provided me with many valuable insights into why my son is acting this way and has given me some good ideas. However, this book is geared more toward students in middle and high school, where they are given specific letter and number grades and attend different classes. As a result, the advice is limited to what the parents can do, because there aren't many accommodations the schools can make at that point, and because the grades are objective and absolute. My son is still in grade school where the report card has subjective measures like "meets the standard" or "progressing toward the standard." His teacher is willing and able to help him. This book does not give me much advice for his teacher. Additionally, at age nine my son still takes me seriously, and his ability to make decisions are not as well developed as they will be in a few years, so the advice is slightly off target. Having said that, I still bought the book for myself. The insights are valuable as are the suggestions of what to change at home. Besides, it does a good job of scaring me as a parent with glimpses on how bad it could be if I don't address this now!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Simple, direct method for solving causes of poor grades
Comment: We found this to be a simple, direct method for solving causes of poor grades. Well written.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Comment: I bought this book partially based on all the positive reviews. However, I was extremely disappointed. The author never mentions that poor grades could be due to a learning disability or adhd. I understand this book is not about learning disabilities or adhd, but it should be mentioned as a possibility for those parent's who have not considered it as a possibility. I suppose the book would be helpful for some parents, but my copy is sitting around gathering dust.
Customer Rating:
Summary: This book is right on.
Comment: As I was reading this book I was amazed to read how right on it was with what was happening in my life. As stated in the book, if you are an underachiever yourself, you may find it difficult to help your child. I found this very true. I love everything about the book. I only wished that there was a clinic close by my home, so I could receive the help to overcome my underachieveedness (is that a word?). I tried by best to help by son and it really made my brain itch! It's a wonderful book and full of useful information. It just made so much sense and put a label on all those thoughts that have ran around in my mind for years and years.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Parent - Teacher Requirement
Comment: After a quick internet search I found many reviews on Amazon as well as several other sites for this book and called in an order for it at my local Barnes & Noble that same night.
Dr. Whitley has written this book in the most responsible and informative way without having to charge his readers for individual sessions! In my opinion this is a must read not only for parents of underachievers but also teachers and counselors. We have always tried to stress the same learning structure and goals as the teachers. However, if at home you are on Dr. Whitley's 10-step track and the teachers are still on a reward and punishment system - the parent needs to be proactive in dealing with the teachers and endeavor to obtain their support as a united front.
Although the steps may seem to be a cumbersome process at first read and initial implementation - the constant image of "Mr. Rogers" in the back of my mind is quite calming and thus the process can become a destressor for the parents. Of course, that may not be so for those parents of hard cases where the child is at the stage where he/she is capable of "frightening" resistance. Obviously, professional help with someone in-tuned with Dr. Whitley's methods would be more advisable than his book!
To me - this book is for the parents of students in 6th grade or less - and possibly 7-8th graders. These kids still have some moldability and aren't as likely to have other serious issues that could be the source of the problem (i.e. depression).
For the grammatically correct - the substance of the content of the book far outweighs any such errors that are more the fault of the editors than the author;0)
For any parent who has ever been told, "your child isn't performing up to his or her potential," this book has the answer. Renowned clinical psychologist Michael Whitley, Ph.D. offers a proven ten-step program to motivate underachieving children. This easy-to follow book identifies the six types of underachievers from the procrastinator to the hidden perfectionist to the con artist, and it presents the ten steps to help children succeed in school-and ultimately, in life.
|
|
|
- Ask about this education product "Bright Minds, Poor Grades: Understanding and Motivating your Underachieving Child" in the forum
- Give review on this education product "Bright Minds, Poor Grades: Understanding and Motivating your Underachieving Child" in the forum
- Search related information in the forum
|
|
|
|
|
| OOEN Referral Program Spotlight |
 | | A. T. Still University of Health Sciences
Attention health care professionals - now you can earn your Master of Public Health degree 100% online from The School of Health Management (SHM) at the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. This fully accredited institution offers comprehensive health management instruction which incorporates the osteopathic principles of mind, body, and spirit. Health care professionals looking to advance their career choose SHM. | |  | |
 | | Aakers College
Imagine earning the degree you need for a rewarding career in as little as 9 months. Aakers College in North Dakota makes it possible. Choose from programs in Business, Legal Services, Medical Services, or Travel. Flexible curriculum enables you to attend classes in the day, evening, or even online. For over 100 years, Aakers has been offering career-track diplomas and degrees to students looking for a better life. Now it’s your turn. | | | |
 | | Advanced Technology Institute
Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, offers hands-on degree and diploma programs in some of today’s hottest service careers. Choose from ASE and NATEF certified programs in Automotive Technology, HVAC and Refrigeration, Diesel/Heavy Vehicle, Commercial Driving, and High Performance Repair. Extensive job placement assistance is available, as well as financial aid for students who qualify. | | | |
|
What is OOEN Referral Program Spotlight?
OOEN provides comprehensive listing of online courses, degree programs, colleges and universities.
Also OOEN provides links to their information request pages; if you want to find out more about any course,
degree program, college or university, you can just fill out the form linked from OOEN and request information.
It is completely free for anyone to request information, and you can request information from as many colleges
and universities as you'd like. We list featured schools and their brief information
in this "OOEN Referral Program Spotlight" section of OOEN Store for Education,
in case that you are interested in taking a class or two or even pursuing degree program
through these featured schools.
|
|
|
