Teaching
Comic Books Belong in Schools
There’s a comic book store in my small town. I never went in it until recently; it’s located right next to the tattoo parlor and gives off a rather shady vibe. Boys lurk about (many tattooed) with paper bags that carry their latest comic-book purchase.
Reflections on Beginnings and Endings
As the school year begins back home in the US, it will be winding to an end at the school where I volunteer in South Africa. Summer vacation begins here in December, just in time for the holidays and New Year's Day on the beach – something this New Yorker will never get used to!
So with three months left of school – only two of which I will likely have their attention, since few things are more distracting to them than an approaching vacation – I am thinking about what worked with my students so far this year and what I could have done better. This is a good time to revisit the goals set at the beginning of the school year:
Boys and Competitive Reading
Ways to Get Boys Reading
Teen Boys and Young Adult Lit: An Important Relationship
In my recent post, Summer Reading Suggestions for Boys, several people responded with questions about finding adult literature for their teenage boys to read. I came up with some suggestions myself, as did others. And I stand by my position that teens can and should be introduced to adult literature! However, let’s not disregard adolescent lit altogether just yet.
Getting Black Boys to Read
There is a definite, though debated and not widely recognized literacy gap in the United States between males and females. You will probably not be surprised to know that this gap widens even further when we consider African American Boys.
How We Are Failing Black Boys
Read this excerpt from the article Are schools failing black boys? by Celeste Fremon & Stephaine Renfrow Hamilton:
Classroom Strategies to Get Boys Reading
Do Schools Cater More to Girls than Boys?
Teaching Boys to Evaluate Books
It can be a struggle to keep boys interested in reading as they get older. Teaching boys to evaluate books is an effective way to engage boys and keep them engaged! By asking questions that go beyond “what happened in this story?” evaluation empowers boys as readers and can also make them better thinkers.
Teaching Our Children To Love Reading
Teaching Our Children To Love Reading
When I was a child my parents would say to me all the time how important reading was. I was one of those lucky kids that while my parents both worked full time they always took the time to sit with us and read and help with homework. My mother was in nursing school at the time and working to pay for her education. My dad worked full time in another state so his hours were also very long. But that never kept them from making sure us three kids were getting the education and help at home that we needed. I will forever be thankful for this.
I now have children of my own and teach them the importance of reading. From reading daily with them to being there to get through the homework. All are great students and I cherish this time as I know it will not last long.
