boys literacy

BOYS LITERACYHow to engage our boys in reading

OUR RESEARCH TELLS US…

Boys are not achieving as well as girls in reading and writing.

Unmotivated readers lack self esteem in reading Unmotivated readers blame other factors

“the classroom is too noise” or “it was unfair”

Reluctant readers become skilled evaders. Males are continuing to drop out of school There has been a drop in the number of males that are

graduating from university

DIFFICULTIES FOR BOYS

Boys are less successful in girls in conventional literacy classrooms and activities.

Boys show a general lack of interest in print based activities.

Boys perceived that school work was irrelevant Boys were more disruptive, distracted and unmotivated.

POSITIVES FOR BOYS

Boys are more interested in electronic and graphic texts Boys want to DO literacy

Debating, drama, public speaking

WHY FOCUS ON READING

the gender gap is primarily driven by performance differences in English,

boys and girls are still obtaining similar results in math and science.

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT? Build better classroom Libraries that include books that

interest boys Graphic Novels Electronic News and Stories Magazines Instruction Manuals Action Adventure Stories Stories with strong male leads Non Fiction text stories Series books

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT? Boys Book Club

For grade 3 and grade 6 Boys For Level 2 at risk or Level 3 reluctant readers Boys learn that reading can be fun Read material that interests them Play games or complete activities based on readings

Ie: Read recipe then bake

IE: Read instructions and play a new game

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT? Make reading fun and engaging

Balance our Read Alouds so that target boys and girls Tell stories through Drama Link our lessons to real world issues Use technology Plan reading time into our daily schedules

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT? Structuring our Lessons Differently

Work in smaller segments of time by chunking work Using short term goals that students can achieve quickly

Success criteria

Analyze the concrete parts of a text then the emotional ones. Receive regular feedback Teaching explicitly

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT? Explicitly teaching Comprehension strategies. We let

them in on the secret Using think alouds Label and teach comprehension strategies. Drawing inferences Make predictions Summarizing a text Using graphic organizers and writing frames

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING

Embrace the Arts Use games and role playing Use music with and without lyrics

Let them Talk Working in groups Sharing experiences

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?

Take it easy… Let your son choose his own reading material.

Boys need strong male role models Model reading to your children by reading for your

personal enjoyment Read with your child Go to the library Ask questions about what you are reading Compare what you read to your lives and the world.