Have you used The Mind That's Mine with your class? Have you read Keeping A
Head in School with your child? Have you shared a Developing Minds tape with a
parent? Teachers, parents, clinicians, and many others have submitted numerous
excellent suggestions for how to use an All Kinds of Minds' resource.
To share your ideas, click the "Share ways to use resources" link below. The
information you enter will go to All Kinds of Minds for review, and then be
posted on the All Kinds of Minds Web site. Please submit your name as you would
like it to appear with your suggestion.
"It helped me understand the different ways my children learned and how to best help them. I am now reading All kinds of Minds to help my 8 year old who is struggling in school."
Alice Shepherd - Parent, 8/31/2005
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"I plan to talk about the book at the teachers' meeting at the beginning of school and suggest that everyone read the book. As a way to encourage them, I want to mention to them various excerpts that sound like some of our students they have discussed with me."
Charlotte H Angotti - Educator, 7/12/2005
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"I own both books, A Mind at a Time and The Myth of Laziness. My 11 year is having some difficulties at school. During the course of discussions, after completing the Independent Education Plan and the Internal Placement and Review Committee steps, I shared both books with both my child's regular teacher and with the special education support teacher at his school. The spec. ed. teacher was very intrigued and has worked his way through one book and is working on the second. My son's teacher is a year or two away from retirement and therefore has been teaching for quite some time. She was quite frustrated with my son's lack of progress and attributed it to a lack of maturity and commitment on my son's part. To give credit where credit is due, she read through both books and I believe has a better understanding of the basis of the "learning disabilities" my son faces. As my son works his way through the school system I will continue advocating for him and will continue sharing Dr. Levine's book with each and every teacher."
Dominique Whelan - 5/26/2004
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"The book helps me understand how my daughter learns. I also teach her ways to learn through the book i.e. scribbling and concept mapping to transfer what her teacher says from her short term memory to her long term memory.This book is really great. I am interested in reading other books but so far this is the only book of Dr. Levine that I have seen being sold in the Philippines."
Eve Nabong - Parent, 4/20/2005
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"I've used this resource in my kindergarten classroom. It has helped me to better understand my students and how to help them. It has also been a great help in reasuring parents of students having specific difficulties in school that their child is not "stupid." I've loaned or recommended it to several of these parents to so that they too may better understand their child and how to help them."
Jennifer - 5/20/2003
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"I bought a second book of "A Mind at a Time" and gave it to my son's school to put in their teacher library, suggesting for his teachers to read the book and help."
mary hodges - 6/11/2004
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"I am a Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) in New Zealand. I share this with parents and teachers to help demystify the difficulty and to empower teachers to try new and innovative strategies. Recently a Parents Support Group bought this book for their school library as a resource for all."
Petula Patey - 5/24/2004
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"I take it with me to my IEP meetings. I can share the highlighted portions as references, and the school personnel takes me, as a parent, "more seriously". It takes the subjective out and makes it objective. Dr. Levine becomes MY advocate!"
sandy gimelstob - 5/19/2003
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"I received training in the Schools Attuned program last summer and was hoping to help educate the other teachers at my school about this way of thinking about students. I recommended this book for all teachers to read. To help implement this, I made a mass order for anyone who wanted a book. I also started a book club with a few teachers using the questions included on this website. The teachers have been so inspired by this way of thinking about students--two of them who had been teaching for many years kept saying,"I wish I had read this when I first started teaching!"
I have also found this book useful to recommend to parents before we meet to discuss their student's strengths in weaknesses in neurodevelopmental terms. It helps them become familiar with the neurodevelopmental "lingo" I may be using. This book has changed my entire way of thinking about students!"
Sarah Schreuder - Educator, 5/5/2006
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"Our Kindergarten teacher, The MelMed Center and A Mind At A Time saved my 5yr old from what could have been an academic disaster! In addition, my daughter and my relationship improved 100% when we she was diagnosed and we began "learning right for her"! You saved our relationship. I bought this book for our school library and refer it to many people. My heart breaks for the children that will slip through the cracks. I hope to some day meet Dr. Levine and thank him in person. Come to Scottsdale Arizona! Thank you and God Bless!"
Tracy Donatelli - Parent, 1/17/2005
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"I have shown the 8 construct tapes teachers within the ESD. For one session we meet once a month for 4 months watching 2 videos a session. The other session we met once a week for 4 weeks again watching 2 videos a session. The response has been wonderful. I now have parens and other teachers wanting to not only watch the 8 construct videos, but form study groups for the additional tapes in the series. This has the potential for changing things for many students. Thanks Dr. Levine"
Anne Price - Educator, 1/31/2005
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"I loan these videos to parents who are having difficulty understanding why their child is having problems in a particular area. The viewing of the videos serves to assist parents in regards to their child's learning issues and make them much more understanding of their childs needs. It also seems to be a source of relief for parents to be able to quantify their child's specific learning issues and thus they are better able to generate a plan of action to help their child."
Jan Drake - 7/11/2003
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"I provided 8 Video Discussion sessions for interested parents (1 each week for 8 weeks). Without exception every parent was enlightened by the information and encouraged by the sense of empowerment that comes with better understanding "developing minds."
Ruth M. Page - 3/12/2004
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"I had a class set that I used with my 8th graders. We read chapters together. Then I had each student choose a famous person who has/had learning differences, from the list I gave them, to do a written report and oral presentation. This truly empowered the kids."
Denise McDermott - 6/10/2004
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"I have used this resource with different students to help them realize that they are not "dumb" as they describe themselves, but individuals with a different way of learning. They are fascinated to know that they are able to learn but at a different rate or way. The self confidence of these individuals grows and therefore they are no longer afraid to ask questions and attempt doing new things. Isn't that what it is all about...to make them feel good about their learning differences and build on them by using their strengths?!!!"
Ildi Kloiber - 6/10/2003
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"As a Behavior Management Resource Teacher for four years, I used the examples and drawings from the book, "Keeping A Head in School", to explain the difficulties students were experiencing as they struggled with their assigned tasks in math, writing or handwriting. The drawings and captions from that textbook were very helpful in depicting the process and pitfalls. This was the first book I purchased from Dr. Levine when he visited Hawaii to speak to us at Punahou School... and I am very grateful for the knowledge he has imparted to us through his writing."
Lynda Asato - 5/17/2003
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"I met Mel Levine in Cincinnati when he was speaking at Springer School in the late 90's. Our son was in 6th grade and was newly diagnosed with "ADD". Our pediatrician suggested we buy his book, Educational Care and I've been a fan of him, his books and the website ever since. Last year I took our son, then a senior in High School, to hear Mel speak at Cincinnati Children's. My intent was to continue to help "demystify" his "issues". I even got to speak with Mel the next day when he presented at Grand Rounds at CCHMC. Now, after a year away at college, our son decided he does not want to be an engineer and does not want to be away at school. The good thing is he still wants to be a college student. After I bought Ready or Not...., my husband read it from cover to cover and I've read it too. We used it to help guide us through issues of having an adult child come back home, and to help guide him through beginning to make the short and long term decisions he needs to make. I sent it back to school with our son after spring break, hoping he's reading it! I can honestly say Mel Levine is my hero! I've referred so many friends in similar circumstances to this book and others to his website. Today's young people are much different than we were a generation ago! We just hope everything works out in the end!"
Amy S - Parent, 3/26/2005
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"Educational care was the first Mel Levine book I read. It has given me permission to do what I knew in my heart was the best way to encourage and support learners who are meeting with challenges! The greatest change is in my perception of what is happening. Now when someone is struggling with information I keep on looking, knowing that if we together can discover the rung on the ladder that was not fully installed that we can build understanding and success. I asked Mel Levine what the most important idea of his that I could bring to my work...his answer...Look at each child with naivite. To look with out having to know right now....to ask and to listen and support. There are no lazy children there are only people working with them who do not have the tools or skills in place to support them in their learning."
C Sand Eveland - 6/10/2004
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"As a schol psychologist I have often used the book, Educational Care, to help me with assessment and diagnostic purposes. It has really helped me to narrow down possible cognitive processes that may be impacting a student's ability to be successful in school. One of the sections I have used the most is the Writing Interview. I have frequently found that assessment of written language ability falls short in really diagnosing the problem and providing applicable suggestions. It is really helpful to get this information directly from the student through the interview, rather than relying solely on standardized testing. Throughout the book there is information I can share with teachers and parents to help them better understand their student's learning problems."
Mary F. Alexander - 6/12/2004
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"Dear Dr. Levine, Our entire staff at New Castle, New Hampshire meet once a month for two hours to engage in a book/video discussion on your All Kinds of Minds video library and book. As a staff, we have shared Dr. Levine's strategies, and resources with all the parents in our community. Our discussion nights transfer to our students because they will be reading The Mind That's Mine for the 2004-2005 school year, as well as the Concentration Cockpit. Dr.Levine, your work with children has given teachers, parents and students a gift. We feel so fortunate to share and discuss your work within our school. Lastly,I have been selected to attend the Clinician Conference in September to further understand the assessment aspect of Dr. Levine's work. Thank you for the opportunity for our staff to make a difference for teachers, parents and children within our school. Fondly,"
Ellen Bergeron L.D. Specialist/Reading Specialist " - 6/10/2004
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"I began using Jarvis Clutch early this school year with a small pragmatics group. It has been a wonderful tool. Not only is the book enjoyable to read through, but we are given a common language to use in therapy and in the classroom. I also use Jarvis as a decoding tool. Since the language of Jarvis is often sarcastic and abstract, I am able to help students decode Jarvis's language, in turn, helping them understand their peers. The "guidelines" are a wonderful way to increase self-awareness. As the year has progressed, they have begun to openly share (within the small groups) their own emotional responses to Jarvis's experiences. Acting out situations described in the text has increased confidence. Using the language of Jarvis, I was able to create my own metacognitive lesson reguarding social cognition."
Emily - 5/18/2004
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"Every morning, I begin my language lesson to 3rd-4th graders at my Hawaiian Public Charter School (Kanu o ka `Aina) on the Big Island, by reading about 10 minutes from this book. The kids NEVER want me to stop...they always are attentive...ask questions...share comments...predict...it is such an invaluable tool to use--it captures them, makes them think, become more aware of themselves AND others! It is truly a delight! WE WANT A SEQUEL!Mahalo nui for All Kinds of Minds! (In Pidgin English: All Kine Minds) We love it!"
Genie M. Ruddle, M.A., CCC-SLP - 1/7/2003
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"Every morning, I begin my language lesson to 3rd-4th graders at my Hawaiian Public Charter School (Kanu o ka `Aina) on the Big Island, by reading about 10 minutes from this book. The kids NEVER want me to stop...they always are attentive...ask questions...share comments...predict...it is such an invaluable tool to use--it captures them, makes them think, become more aware of themselves AND others! It is truly a delight! WE WANT A SEQUEL! Mahalo nui for All Kinds of Minds! (In Pidgin English: All Kine Minds) We love it!"
Genie M. Ruddle, M.A., CCC-SLP - 1/7/2003
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"We plan to use the resource for our family to learn how we can learn together and be productive as individuals and family."
Samuel Kinikini - 4/17/2003
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"I have used these examinations to help students, parents and teachers identify the most appropriate interventions that take advantages of strengths and affinities to support and improve a weakness. I once was able to help a 7 year old boy with exceptional fine motor skills and a love for crocheting, use this to learn math facts. After failing many math tests and time trials, he now sails through with flying colors. All it took was letting him use his skills to crochet lines and arrays. Best of all a demoralized child became a capable and excited learner again."
Judy Cameron, PhD, RN,CPNP - 5/28/2003
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"To help teach our children to be more consciencous of their own strengths and weaknesses in the learning process and how as parents we can assist them in reaching their potential."
Samuel Kinikini - 4/17/2003
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"It is still in the works, however my suggestion is this: Our PTA first invites the local SEPTA to attend a dinner/workshop wherein we introduce the concept, hand out informative flyers, and proceed to show the videos. Follow up with a question and answer session, and obtain signatures of those who wish to attend the next dinner/workshop wherein we follow the same procedure, showing another video. Specialist from Neurology Dept. at Childrens Hospital will also attend to assist wtih questions pertaining to their field. From here it grows and grows until we can convince the powers that be to become a 'School Attuned' for the complete benefit of all of our students."
Mrs. Jones - 6/13/2003
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"Don't limit the use of STRANDS to new patients only: I have administerd the STRANDS to quite a few of my teen patients, many of whom I have treated for attention and/or school performance problems for years. In almost every case I have learned something new and significant about these great young people. It is clear that I would not have obtained these insights into my patients even if I had talked with them for several hours. The STRANDS has helped me help my teen patients by providing new and innovative insight and direction for my interventions. I can strongly recommend administering a STRANDS to teen patients that you think you already know well. Your previously established understanding plus the new insights from the STRANDS can combine to create a breakthrough for your therapy. (I think it is time to develop an offshoot of the STRANDS for adult patients!)"
Earl R. Washburn, MD - 5/17/2003
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"I use the STRANDS Interview in a college setting to help students who think they might have a learning disability begin to sort out what is working for them and what is not. I also use it to supplement evaluations that students bring in that they do not really understand. For students still in their teens, I provide a chart with their scores; for older students I provide a profile of strengths and weaknesses. Student response has been very positive! They often report to me that they havelearned more about themselves in an hour than they had up to this point."
Margaret Suby - 8/4/2004
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"I used this book to better understand my daughter's lack of written output. I have identified her memory and organizational deficits an have used the book to create a flow chart for her productivity. We break each writing task into individual timed steps. Additionally, as a result of the memory deficits, we understand that math is something we must do every day, not just during the school year."
Jamie Williams - 7/1/2003
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"I teach exceptional children who are in middle school. This program would be ideal for my students before they became my students or before they were given the label of learning disabled. Typically students know what their weaknesses are but unfortunately they really don't know much about their strengths or talents. With this resource, I would focus only on my student's strengths, how they learn best while working with their affinities. I believe while doing this my students will recognize how different that they are in their personal learning ability and hopefully recognize the differences that they see around them as well. This revelation I pray will lead to respecting others with their differences as well. I would use this resource as a tool -- a empowering tool for my students to use to propel themselves further than they ever that they could go. After my students have been made aware of their strengths are, there is no reason to focus on the weaknesses any longer. It will be time to get on with the business of learning of obtaining success."
gisele ashford - 4/18/2004
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"I would use this program two-fold. I have a daughter with a learning disability whom I would help build her strengths. Then as a teacher studying in the special education field, I would use this program on my future students. What better way to help children then by building on what's powerful within them!"
Karla Solis - 7/24/2003
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