Boys, Boys, Books, Books, Reading Reading The REAL Challenge.

Boys,Boys,

Books,Books,

ReadingReading

The REAL ChallengeThe REAL Challenge

““Guide for Boys”Guide for Boys”

Douglas FlorianDouglas Florian

from Guys Write for Guys Read edited by Jon Scieszka. 2005.

a story, a storya story, a story

objectives for participants objectives for participants

understand the unique characteristics understand the unique characteristics that make up “boy”that make up “boy”

explore the various genres that hold explore the various genres that hold the the greatest appeal to boysgreatest appeal to boys

be familiar with the websites that are be familiar with the websites that are available to and for this populationavailable to and for this population

identify appropriate programming identify appropriate programming needs of boysneeds of boys

literacy continuum

illiterate functional aliterate literate illiterate

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- inability to read reluctant challenged

voracious (can but don’t) (do it) (can’t get enough)

reluctant readerreluctant reader

““can read, but for whatever reasons, can read, but for whatever reasons, do do not like to read”not like to read”

dormant— they like to read, but often do not make the time to do it

uncommitted—do not like to read, but may read in the future

unmotivated—do not like to read and do not ever expect to change their minds

factfact

success in reading sets the stage for success in reading sets the stage for success in schoolsuccess in school

reading failure breeds school failurereading failure breeds school failure

how are boys doing? …not very well!how are boys doing? …not very well!

The Trouble with BoysThe Trouble with Boys, 2008, 2008

““Boys just don’t like to Boys just don’t like to read.”read.”

Best Books for BoysBest Books for Boys

by Matthew Zbaracki, 2008by Matthew Zbaracki, 2008..

boys often speak their first words later boys often speak their first words later than girls and develop clear speech than girls and develop clear speech about a year and half laterabout a year and half later

boys’ fine motor skills lag behind girls’ by boys’ fine motor skills lag behind girls’ by

about a year; as toddlers, boys like to about a year; as toddlers, boys like to explore their environmentexplore their environment

boys are two to five time more likely than boys are two to five time more likely than

girls to have a reading disability; they girls to have a reading disability; they also have greater difficulty in also have greater difficulty in

overcoming itovercoming it

literacy behaviors of boysliteracy behaviors of boys

boys are more prone to some speech and boys are more prone to some speech and language difficultieslanguage difficulties

boys rank lower in their class and earn boys rank lower in their class and earn

fewer honors than girlsfewer honors than girls in South Australia, a researcher found in South Australia, a researcher found

that that boys thought school was boring boys thought school was boring with with too many bad teacherstoo many bad teachers

boys have much less interest in leisure boys have much less interest in leisure

readingreading

boys’ reading experiences at home were boys’ reading experiences at home were likely to be adult-initiatedlikely to be adult-initiated

more boys than girls label themselves more boys than girls label themselves

“non-reader” “non-reader” boys tend to be more enthusiastic about boys tend to be more enthusiastic about

reading electronics textsreading electronics texts poetry is less popular with boyspoetry is less popular with boys

boys require more teacher attention in boys require more teacher attention in co-ed classesco-ed classes

boys who choose non-traditional subjects boys who choose non-traditional subjects not seen as masculine are teased, not seen as masculine are teased,

bullied and harassedbullied and harassed

many boys are discouraged from many boys are discouraged from

responding emotionally to fictional responding emotionally to fictional texts texts by their families and peer groupsby their families and peer groups

from from Even Hockey Players Read: Boys, Literacy and Even Hockey Players Read: Boys, Literacy and

Learning Learning by David Booth. 2002.by David Booth. 2002.

boys see a different worldboys see a different world-big, fascinating, and active place where -big, fascinating, and active place where

they they must participate or miss outmust participate or miss out-since they do not feel as connected, -since they do not feel as connected, they they seek it out; they crave itseek it out; they crave it

they learn by doing, sometimes totally they learn by doing, sometimes totally wrong but experimental: trial and wrong but experimental: trial and

errorerror

as a result---as a result---

literacy issuesliteracy issues

lack of phonicslack of phonics lack of reading instruction in the lack of reading instruction in the

upper gradesupper grades inattention to male role issuesinattention to male role issues lack of boy bookslack of boy books pushing literacy on boys too soonpushing literacy on boys too soon failure to teach reading properlyfailure to teach reading properly

interestchoice

involvement

social factors

text type

factors to consider

when choosing

books for boys

from Best Books for Boys by Matthew Zbaracki, 2008.

genres that appeal to boysgenres that appeal to boys

humorhumor

slapstick, silly stories about taboo slapstick, silly stories about taboo subjects, such as bathroom humorsubjects, such as bathroom humor

riddle and joke booksriddle and joke books ””off-the-wall” is one of the most off-the-wall” is one of the most

appealingappealing comic books with silly illustrationscomic books with silly illustrations pranks and jokes played on otherspranks and jokes played on others

and the book title is…and the book title is…

Toad Rage Toad Rage by Morris Gleitzman. by Morris Gleitzman. Random House , 1999. Random House , 1999.

adventureadventure

thrilling and daring plotsthrilling and daring plots events that create page-turning events that create page-turning

excitementexcitement strong main characters who are strong main characters who are

fearless, brave, and heroicfearless, brave, and heroic characters who are aggressive and characters who are aggressive and

can can survive the most incredible survive the most incredible circumstancescircumstances

Gregor The Overlander Gregor The Overlander by by Suzanne Collins. Scholastic Press, Suzanne Collins. Scholastic Press,

2003.2003.

information / nonfictioninformation / nonfiction

books crammed with facts, information, books crammed with facts, information, illustrations, diagrams, photosillustrations, diagrams, photos

facts should be presented in small chunks facts should be presented in small chunks of textof text

information well organizedinformation well organized inforamtion books thoroughly indexedinforamtion books thoroughly indexed books that tell them how to do things with books that tell them how to do things with

hands on experimentshands on experiments

Leonardo’s Horse Leonardo’s Horse by Jean Fritz. by Jean Fritz. Putnam, 2001.Putnam, 2001.

fantasy / science fictionfantasy / science fiction

books with space travel, aliens, and life on books with space travel, aliens, and life on other planetsother planets

see themselves time warping into other see themselves time warping into other galaxiesgalaxies

books that allow them to “experience” a books that allow them to “experience” a courageous spiritcourageous spirit

animals that can talk, lead creative lives, animals that can talk, lead creative lives, a contribute to others’ well beinga contribute to others’ well being

time travel that allows one to adjust to time travel that allows one to adjust to different ways of lifedifferent ways of life

Eager Eager by Helen Fox. Random by Helen Fox. Random House, 2004.House, 2004.

horror / mysteryhorror / mystery

stories that contain lots of clues, cliff-stories that contain lots of clues, cliff-hangers, puzzleshangers, puzzles

display ways to be detectives and engage display ways to be detectives and engage them to solve problemsthem to solve problems

books that allow them to be brave and books that allow them to be brave and fearlessfearless

stories about ghosts, evil twins, and stories about ghosts, evil twins, and vampiresvampires

the creepier the story the betterthe creepier the story the better stories that are frightening and menacingstories that are frightening and menacing

The Graveyard Book The Graveyard Book by by Neil Gaiman. HarperCollins, 2008.Neil Gaiman. HarperCollins, 2008.

sportssports

stories that demonstrate ways of being a stories that demonstrate ways of being a good sportgood sport

books about influential lives as books about influential lives as professional athletesprofessional athletes

trails and tribulations of those wanting to trails and tribulations of those wanting to participate and succeedparticipate and succeed

information books that contain statistics, information books that contain statistics, history, terminology, and issueshistory, terminology, and issues

Airball Airball by L.D. Harkrader. by L.D. Harkrader. Roaring Brook Press, 2005.Roaring Brook Press, 2005.

war & conflictwar & conflict

pretend military combatpretend military combat war diaries and books about armed war diaries and books about armed

forces, special forces, military forces, special forces, military jets, aircraft carriers and jets, aircraft carriers and submarinessubmarines

stories that relate life in times of war stories that relate life in times of war current and pastcurrent and past

Letters from Wolfie Letters from Wolfie by Patti Sherlock. Viking, 2004.by Patti Sherlock. Viking, 2004.

biographybiography

lives about famous peoplelives about famous people sports professionals or inventors and sports professionals or inventors and

actorsactors benefit from comparing their lives benefit from comparing their lives

with those who have been with those who have been successfulsuccessful

Knots in MyYo-yo String Knots in MyYo-yo String by Jerry Spinelli. Knopf , 1998.by Jerry Spinelli. Knopf , 1998.

historyhistory

knights and castles and life in medieval knights and castles and life in medieval timestimes

adventures of settlers into the outbackadventures of settlers into the outback ancient times of dinosaurs, woolly ancient times of dinosaurs, woolly

mammoths, ancient Egyptmammoths, ancient Egypt helps boys to visualize the past and helps boys to visualize the past and

make a connectionmake a connection

A Single Shard A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. Clarion , 2001 .by Linda Sue Park. Clarion , 2001 .

graphic novels / comicsgraphic novels / comics

sophisticated story lines presented in sophisticated story lines presented in pictures that engage the pictures that engage the

imaginationimagination illustrations that demand illustrations that demand

interpretation and close scrutiny interpretation and close scrutiny many have intense violence and many have intense violence and

explicit languageexplicit language

Robot Dreams Robot Dreams by Sara Varon. First Second, 2007.by Sara Varon. First Second, 2007.

Reading comics with a critical eye helps develop an appreciation for art and different artistic styles.

Reading comics with a critical eye helps develop an appreciation for art and different artistic styles.

realistic fictionrealistic fiction

stories that explore peer pressures, familystories that explore peer pressures, familyconflicts, issues of current concernconflicts, issues of current concern

books which present everyday books which present everyday problems that demand understanding problems that demand understanding and promote ways of resolving themand promote ways of resolving them

from from Boys and Literacy: Practical Strategies for Librarians, Teachers, and Parents Boys and Literacy: Practical Strategies for Librarians, Teachers, and Parents by by Elizabeth Knowles and Martha Smith. 2005Elizabeth Knowles and Martha Smith. 2005

I am the messenger I am the messenger by Markus Zusak. Knopf, 2002.by Markus Zusak. Knopf, 2002.

seriesseries

recognizable charactersrecognizable characters many times contain graphics that many times contain graphics that

appeal to a boy’s sense of humorappeal to a boy’s sense of humor when the story contains graphics, the when the story contains graphics, the

stories may be easier to followstories may be easier to follow are faster to readare faster to read are enjoyed by many over and overare enjoyed by many over and over

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. Amulet, 2007.by Jeff Kinney. Amulet, 2007.

magazinesmagazines

timely, current eventstimely, current events appealing graphicsappealing graphics mix of stories and photographsmix of stories and photographs selected periodicals are of topical selected periodicals are of topical

interest to boysinterest to boys some offer an opportunity to some offer an opportunity to

exchange of ideas and creative exchange of ideas and creative submissionssubmissions

magazines magazines

websiteswebsites

Lesson PlansLesson Plans

-to exchange ideas with other -to exchange ideas with other teachers teachers and librarians;and librarians;

-visit our Lesson Plan Exchange page. -visit our Lesson Plan Exchange page.

http://www.jamespatterson.com/http://readkiddoread.com/

"Literacy statistics show that we are not giving boys what they need to be successful readers; boys need our help.

The greatest challenge to boys' literacy is probably getting people to

understand that boys do need help.”

Jon Scieszka

programming possibilitiesprogramming possibilities

reading clubsreading clubs

-make registration as easy as -make registration as easy as possiblepossible

-choose a theme that sounds -choose a theme that sounds coolcool -incentives can’t be just throw -incentives can’t be just throw

awaysaways

-sample program--sample program-

““It’s a Guy Thing” It’s a Guy Thing”

a book discussion with a theme-craft a book discussion with a theme-craft and a theme- snackand a theme- snack

J picture books for several reasons:J picture books for several reasons:-busy fathers have the time to read them-busy fathers have the time to read them-boys don’t feel overwhelmed by content-boys don’t feel overwhelmed by content-many titles are very boy-oriented-many titles are very boy-oriented

problems:problems:-finding the elusive “good” night-finding the elusive “good” night-getting fathers to be enthusiastic-getting fathers to be enthusiastic-keeping mothers out of the room-keeping mothers out of the room

Martin’s Big WordsMartin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport by Doreen RappaportIllustrated by Bryan CollierIllustrated by Bryan Collier

Book Discussion for Winter 2004Book Discussion for Winter 2004

-treat: stained glass window cookies -treat: stained glass window cookies

(because MLK was a minister and the (because MLK was a minister and the book has stained glass windows on the book has stained glass windows on the end pages)end pages)

-use sugar cookie dough and hard candy -use sugar cookie dough and hard candy -make a design with cookie dough, fill -make a design with cookie dough, fill

center with crushed hard candy (run center with crushed hard candy (run through blender) bake until done through blender) bake until done

book questionsbook questions

What did you dislike about it?What did you dislike about it? Were you ever sad and did your mother Were you ever sad and did your mother

ever say something to make you feel ever say something to make you feel better?better?

Why did the Bible make MLK feel better?Why did the Bible make MLK feel better? What are some of the big words MLK used What are some of the big words MLK used

in his lifetime?in his lifetime? Who is Mahatma Gandhi?Who is Mahatma Gandhi?

projectproject

Each boy received a piece of construction Each boy received a piece of construction paper (any color except black and paper (any color except black and

white) white) plus torn sheets of black and white plus torn sheets of black and white construction paper. construction paper.

It was up to each boy to get the black It was up to each boy to get the black and and white shreds to “co-operate” into white shreds to “co-operate” into

a picture.a picture.

Halloween party with musicHalloween party with music cartooningcartooning

anime clubanime club

World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment-R.E.A.L. -R.E.A.L. (Respect, Education, Achievement, (Respect, Education, Achievement,

Leadership)Leadership)

poetry slamspoetry slams

college admissions representativecollege admissions representative YWCA outreach programsYWCA outreach programs

search and rescue dogssearch and rescue dogs

butcher paper “A really great book…:”butcher paper “A really great book…:”

chess for success-run by outsiders/volunteers-competitions/tournaments

OUR MISSIONOUR MISSION

1. Make some noise for boys.1. Make some noise for boys.

2. Expand our definition of reading.2. Expand our definition of reading.

3. Give boys choice.3. Give boys choice.

4. Encourage male role models.4. Encourage male role models.

5. Be realistic. Start small.5. Be realistic. Start small.

6. Spread the word about special programs & websites.6. Spread the word about special programs & websites.

-a precis of ideas promoted by Jon Scieszka-a precis of ideas promoted by Jon Scieszka

group activity / discussiongroup activity / discussion

divide group into genresdivide group into genres

identify personal choicesidentify personal choices

share with the large groupshare with the large group

titles will be compiled and placed on titles will be compiled and placed on boys wiki site for retrievalboys wiki site for retrieval

booksboysreading.pbworks.combooksboysreading.pbworks.com

Boys, Boys, Books, Books, Reading Reading The REAL Challenge.

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Transcript of Boys, Boys, Books, Books, Reading Reading The REAL Challenge.