Boys & Reading

1. Boys & Reading By Dr. Barbara Hunt University of Arkansas Fort Smith bhunt@uafortsmith.edu

2. Boys and Reading • Research on boys in school shows that: • Boys have slipped through the cracks in schools (Sadowski, 2010; Slocumb, 2007); • Girls’ advantage over boys in reading holds for every U.S, racial and ethnic group (Sadowski, 2010); • Boys are falling behind in literacy skills (Bowen, 2010; Whitmire, 2010); • Elementary school is largely a feminine environment (Bowen, 2010; Kindlon & Thompson, 2000; Pollack, 1998); • Reading is for boys too (Bowen, 2010; Newkirk, 2010,; Scieszka, 2002); • Gifted boys need to read at own pace and have choices (Kerr & Cohn, 2001; Slocum, 2007).

3. What simple changes can teachers make to get boys more interested in reading and writing? • School is language based, so let boys use more storytelling, allow them to tell the story first and use pictures, then write; • Boy’s strength is in their spatial ability—use symbols, pictures, and diagrams—instead of giving boys a step sheet in narrative form, use a flowchart. • Create all boy reading groups, letting them share “boy books”; can use pairs, too (a local male principal has a reading group after school where he reads the same book as the students (boys and girls) and they share the story); • As a teacher, take an interest in boys books too, when I taught 6th grade, boys asked me to read books they found interesting—great way to share reading experiences and share the joy of reading; • Use older boys (i.e., fifth graders reading to & listening to early elementary boys) to be “reading buddies” for the boys in your class; • Use problem-solving stories or apply problem-solving to boy’s books (cause and effect is favored by boys); • Get librarian to look into more “boy books & magazines.” Ask the boys about favorite authors/books; Boys have a DO NOT ENTER mentality about libraries—make them boy friendly;

4. Encourage fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other male role-models to read to and with boys; • Share this website: http://www.guysread.com • Share this good resource: Great Books for Boys by Kathleen Odean (1998) • Let boys play with a squeeze ball, stand up, lay down, walk while reading (have a special area for this activity) • Shorten time for boys to read (10-15 minutes) • Tribes are informal reading circles for pleasure and non-deterministic learning. They’re very similar to book clubs. Tribes are a great opportunity to bond with boys.  A Tribe Leader acts as a mentor and facilitator for the Tribe. Parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, coaches, and other community outreach programs and services organize Tribes. • Bibliotherapy (helping boys with real-life problems through literature) • Wordless text (younger boys especially) • Include games and competition to motivate boys • Debate—research & read to find a good argument

5. References Bowen, K. Reading is for the boys (and girls)! Retrieved May, 5, 2010. Website: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/676 Kerr, B., & Cohn, S. (2001). Smart Boys: Talent, Manhood, & the Search for Meaning. Scottsdale, AZ: Great Potential press, Inc. Kindlon, D., & Thompson, M. (1998). Raising Cain: Protecting the emotional life of boys. New York, NY: Ballantine Books. Newkirk, T. Understanding and raising boys. Retrieved May 6, 2010. Website: http://www.pbs.org/parents/raisingboys/school104.html Pollack, W. (1998). Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood. New York, NY: Ballatine Books. Sadowski, M. Putting the “Boy Crisis” in Context. Retrieved August 6, 2010. Website: http://www.hepg.org/hel/printarticle/473 Scieszka, J. Guys Read. Retrieved September 29,2010. Website: http://gettingboystoread.com Slocumb, P. (2007). Hear Our Cry: Boys in Crisis. Highlands, TX: Ahal Process, Inc. Web-sites: http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/reading_connects/case_studies (great site) http://librarybooklists.org/fiction/children/jbibliotherapy.htm http://www.booksforboys.com http://www.boysread.org/books http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/676 (University of North Carolina) http://www.gettingboystoread.com http://www.readingrants.org/category/boy-meets-book

6. Authors recommended for boys 9yrs+:Allen, Ted (Nick of Time); Anderson, Laurie Halse (Forge); Avi; Bloor, Edward; Clements, Andrew; Collins, Suzanne; Cormier, Robert; Curtis, C.P.; Gantos, Jack; Haddix, Margaret Patterson; Hobbs, Will; Horowitz, Anthony; Kerz, Sarah & Gallo, Donald; Key, Watt; Korman, Gordon; Krensky, Stephen; Kimmel, Eric (multi-cultural); Little, Emily; Lupica, Mike; Mazer, Harry; Milton, Joyce & Roe, Richard; Patterson, Katherine; Paulsen, Gary; Peck, Richard; Philbrick, Nathaniel (The Mayflower & the Pilgrims New World); Sachar, Luis; Seuss, Dr. (for all ages); Sides, Hampton; Spinnelli, Jerry; Tomasi, SalvadorAuthors recommended for boys 5-8 yrs old: Barrett, Judi, & Barrett, Ron; Base, Graeme; Cannon, Janell; Ehlert, Lois; Gaiman, Neil; Greenburg, David; Harness, Cheryl; Holling, Clancy Holling (Paddle to the Sea);Lithgow, John; Mayer, Mercer; Munsch, Robert; Packard, Edward; Polacco, Patricia; Prelutsky, Jack; Sendak, Maurice; Silverstein, Shel; Stevens, Janet & Crummel, Susan S.; St. George, Judith, & Small, David; Van Allsburg, Chris; Viorst, Judith; Yolen, Jane; Wiesner, David