Kids always love magicians, and Naperville resident James Watt believes he possesses his own kind of magic. But instead of working with cards, mirrors or rabbits, he makes failing grades in math disappear.  Watt believes basic math skills can be taught to everyone, regardless of ability, and that they should never become lifelong stumbling blocks. And now, his philosophy and methodology have come to life in a workbook he (1) painstakingly produced over a nine-year period entitled, "Eliminating Careless Error."

" (2) Research at the University of Nebraska  has shown that careless errors in basic math computation are the number one problem in terms of kids being successful," Watt said. "But the studies also conclude there is no cure. There are methods out there that are over 300 years old, but, for some reason, schools aren't teaching them. I've written about some of them and the techniques in my book work."

No formal education

Watt's background includes virtually nothing in terms of formal math education. He studied French horn for two years at the university level and wound up serving in the armed forces for more than a decade, playing in the military band. He worked as a cartoonist for a newspaper in Naperville before he was in high school and he now operates the (3) Children's Art Studio in Naperville, where he teaches kids art that is often based on mathematical principles.  "(4) The study of geometry is really nothing more than an art study," Watt said. "The thing is, though, that kids often look to art because they feel they're bad in math. But, if you look at history, the best mathematical minds were often amateurs- (5) priests, judges and so forth."

Watt, 53, says he discovered math "late in life" during the early 1990s, after he became bored with doing crossword puzzles.  He tried for years to get his ideas published through grant applications and other efforts, but local and national organizations kept turning him down.  "I tried to get my ideas published for seven years, but things didn't work out."  Armed with some local support, Watt finally took matters into his own hands. Together with some parents' backing, $20,000 in fundraising was completed and Watt formed his own printing venture, Back Fence Publishing. He produced 5,000 copies of "Eliminating Careless Error" which he wrote and illustrated himself.  Watt hopes to reach a larger audience with his book, but his goal seems fueled more by educational purposes than racking up sales.

Bringing ideas together

Bill Petersen, a 37-year veteran math teacher who is retired from Naperville School District 203, said he looked at Watt's book and found that it brings together ideas "based on valid math principles" in a unique and interesting way.  "The book is sort of amazing, and it does what (Watt) claims it does," Petersen said. "It allows you to simply check the four main areas of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing and is laid out in a way I feel is easy to understand. I think the book helps erase the 'ugly monster' some see math becoming and helps kids have success, which is the key."

Bolingbrook resident Irene Shotts has become a huge Watt advocate, thanks to the remarkable turnaround experienced by her daughter, Vicki.  "Let's just say that in fourth through sixth grade, my daughter was a D/F student, and, after working with her and the book, she moved into honors math during seventh and eighth grade," Shotts said. "After a few pages, Vicki was actually able to work with the book on her own.  "I was frustrated with the public schools and put her into a private school so she could get more help," Shotts said.  "But even with that, she consults the book before she asks the teacher about anything."

Watt said his book doesn't tap into new theories but merely reintroduces concepts he feels have been inexplicably buried or banned from modern curriculums. "I tell my students that the simple things are really the most difficult," he said.  "(6) Complex is something that can be broken down into simpler parts. Think about the guy that made Legos. You can see a whole structure and the intricacy of the interlocking bricks, but it was that first individual, simple Lego, everything was built on that presented the biggest challenge."

-- The Naperville Sun