How a Poor Student Became the World's Smartest Man

This book was field tested for five years in a public-school classroom for special education studentsto ensure that all the vocabulary and content was appropriate for young and also emergent readers.This book is targeted at three types of students:1. Ages 4 to 6, as a book read to them. In the five-year study, two teachers both reported anamazing 35% to 40% of parents mentioned the book at the teacher-parent conference. Neitherteacher had ever had such a successful response from...
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This book was field tested for five years in a public-school classroom for special education studentsto ensure that all the vocabulary and content was appropriate for young and also emergent readers.This book is targeted at three types of students:1. Ages 4 to 6, as a book read to them. In the five-year study, two teachers both reported anamazing 35% to 40% of parents mentioned the book at the teacher-parent conference. Neitherteacher had ever had such a successful response from students telling their parents about thebook.2. Age 5 to 7, for a book to read. Early reading students will find this book an enjoyable bookwith a positive self-image message. It is only 28 pages of text, with three short chapters, sonew readers will not feel overwhelmed.3. Age 8 to 12 for emergent readers. For older students ("emergent readers") reading, this bookgives the reader a chance to believe in themselves. Far too often, struggling students thinkthey are dumb and give up in school. Their self-image is so poor that they feel there will beno benefit gained by trying harder.Emergent ReadersThese students are older students learning to read, usually a year or two, or more, behind gradelevel. Some of these students give up because all they see ahead is failure. If they try, they fail. Ifthey do nothing, they fail. Worse, yet, their self-image sees no purpose in exerting themselves,which intensifies a vicious cycle. This self-defeating cycle is often unnecessary, for the techniquesand skills available to today's teachers permit students the opportunity to reach their potential.One of the first steps in helping the student is to change his or her perceptions and realize that pastfailures do not necessarily mean a future of continual disappointment. This book is designed to helpthe student begin to change his or her self-image. The student realizes that others can feel the sameway. This book also shows students that someone many considered the world's smartest man wasalso a struggling student. He overcame his obstacles and offer inspiration to us all.