Jon Scieszka's website, Guys Read, offers ideas, suggestions, and tips for luring young males into reading. According to Mr. Scieszka, "Research shows that boys are having trouble reading, and that boys are getting worse at reading. No one is quite sure why. Some of the reasons are biological. Some of the reasons are sociological."
When you were a classroom teacher, did you find this to be true for you? Does it still seem true now that you are teaching in a library? Or do you see no difference in reading enjoyment between males and females?
When I was at UELMA I attended the sesion of "Literature for boys". The presenter said his slide were on the website, so I didn't try to write it all down. But I haven't been able to find them, soI'll have to write him for them.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to me that the majority of the checkouts last year for Girls Life were boys. And just last week I had a younger boy come through the checkout with a copy of Daring Book For Girls. He said as I was checking it out "I'll bet you think this is weird" - to which I replied "Not at all. Just because they put 'girls' in the front dosen't mean there isn't great stuff in there for you and me."
I hope that I can make students feel comfortable with checking out what ever they like.
This goes right back to the previous blog about checkout cards. Many would be reluctant to check out certain books if their name was going to be on them. That is one reason why the computers are so great - because they allow for annonimity, IF we follow the propper ethical process ourselves.
Let us all know when the slides are up. Thanks, Joseph
DeleteIt was way too long ago that I was in the classroom to remember if my boys were big readers. However I can tell you now that I have some terrific boy readers. They love anything relating to Star Wars, Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, Captain Underpants, and Anthony Horowitz. For some reason my third grade boys are my biggest readers and if we can get them hooked they will continue on through the sixth grade.
ReplyDeleteDitto. Add any of the Ripley's and Giant Lego books too.
DeleteWe have a 20 minute reading time everyday so boys and girls have to have one checked out. I hope they are reading them. Among the readers who check out a lot, I would say it's about even. But that's the ones who are readers. I didn't really say anything of note, did I?
ReplyDeleteAt Hillside lots of boys read, but not as many as there are girls who read. It seems once they've read The Hunger Games, they're tapped out. Many of the sports books that might be attractive to them are too easy or too young. I suspect that there might be quite a nice niche for a writer if he or she could write a sports book for 14 year old boys who don't want to be seen carrying a book of dragons, vampires, attractive dystopians, or romantic "friendships."
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since I was in the classroom, too. However, I think at the 3rd grade level I did have more girl readers than boys. I attributed it to maturity but maybe not. Now, in high school I have lots of boys reading. They gravitate to graphic novels, sports, Bluford High School series. I have really tried to find some good "boy" books because they are not as many good ones. I've had some good discussions about some of the books with my boys.
ReplyDeleteManga, Anime, scary stories and Wimpy Kids - those are what my boys read most. Oh, yes, and Bluford series. My 6th graders are my biggest readers.
ReplyDeleteAt Bonneville, most of the students-boys or girls- are big readers. Fantasy books are still ok for boys to read in elementary school especially now with all the books by Rick Riordan. For boys who don't really like to read finding a subject they are interested in seems to help. Books about sports or the military are always big. The history series You wouldn't want to ...(sail on the Titanic or be a Greek Warrior) are a big hit with boys as is the Interactive history books by You Choose and their new series: Can you survive... (in the Special Forces or Storm Chasing or the Antartic)
ReplyDeleteI find that more girls want to read the Beehive books but I still have a group of boys that enjoy reading them. I find the reluctant boy reader loves the I Survived Books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, graphic novles and non-fiction books. If I can get a relucant reader to read the first chapter of the Ranger's Apprentice they usually get hooked and read the entire series.
ReplyDeleteAt Northwest, the fiction books are categorized & shelved by the following genres: Adventure, Classics, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Sports, Supernatural, & Survival. Boys seem to gravitate to Adventure, Horror, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Science Fiction, Sports, & Survival. However, I am surprised at the number of boys who also check out from the remaining genres including Romance. Having the fiction books according to genre has made such a positive difference for both students and teachers in finding the books they like.
ReplyDeleteNothing makes me happier than when the boys get into books and stories. I love reading books to them that they think are a girls story and seeing them love the book, and hating to put it down. If you have ever had the chance to go to a presentation by Vaughn Larson from Logan. He is wonderful and so engaging as he talks about boys reading. I have a group of boys in 5th that really love the Michael Vey books, they have begun a ElectoClan blog and Richard Paul Evans has now encouraged them, they love it!
ReplyDeleteI just read the Guys read book - the story he wrote about himself and the author corresponding was very touching, I shared it with our sixth grade teachers, they agreed. But, I don't know how to share it with our sixth grade boys...
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