Publisher's Synopsis
John O'Herron's revolutionary "happy atom" tutoring method has helped countless students achieve their full potential over the years. The method, as well as the ideas behind it, are detailed in his new book "Up N'Atom Wednesday." This innovative guide details the ins and outs of the educative approach that aims not only to increase student retention, but also to encourage parental involvement and create more educator accountability across the board.
With the ultimate goal of creating generations of problem solvers, O'Herron creates a system that essentially gathers and identifies information that is necessary to help students achieve success. This is based on the idea that scientists have long postulated that human behavior often mimics the behavior of individual atoms. According to O'Herron, "one attribute of a good scientist is not always finding what you are looking for but noticing something is significant when you get "other" than what you were looking for." This mindset helps put instructors in a position to identify students' frames of reference and thus formulate a common platform from which to work.
By viewing student behavior from the perspective of atoms, the opportunity to notice changes in behavior, even very subtle ones, becomes easier. "Up N'Atom Wednesday" details how instructors must identify students' frames of reference and accept them for "who" they are, not necessarily "why" they are. This creates a more trusting environment and relaxed dialogue, both of which are necessary if learning is to occur. O'Herron believes that the ultimate goal of teachers and tutors should be to apply whatever expertise they bring to the table to raise the student's frame of reference to what is considered an "acceptable" level.
O'Herron's "Up N'Atom Wednesday" is a must read for parents, teachers, tutors, and students alike. The author's insightful "happy atom" approach, illustrated by heartfelt stories and anecdotes, is a worthy contribution to the education canon.
