Tackling the Challenge of Boys’ Literacy Gap (The Council Chronicle, Sept. 05). (2005, September 1). Retrieved January 17, 2015, from http://www.ncte.org/magazine/archives/122024

Brozo, D. (2011, April 7). The Achievement Gap in Reading: Exploring the Gender Literacy Connection in Boys. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.niu.edu/cea/research/InvitedSpeakers/BrozoNIU-Research_Presentation_Seminar.pdf

Guys Read. (2015, January 1). Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.guysread.com/

Why boys' literacy skills lag behind girls' and how to bridge the reading gap.

By Mercedes White, Deseret News

Published: Saturday, July 28 2012 1:00 p.m. MDT

for all the boys?

status influence their attitude 

towards literacy? What is 

the percentage of free 7 

reduced lunch kids?

“To put those numbers in perspective," a 32-point difference means that boys are a year and a half behind girls in reading skills" (Brozo, 2012).

William Brozo, professor of literacy at George Mason University's Graduate School of Education

White, M. (2012, July 28). Why boys' literacy skills lag behind girls' and how to bridge the reading gap. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765592913/Many-working-to-bridge-wide-gender-reading-gap-in-the-US.html?pg=all

Great questions!

Garrett poses the questions if lack of recess, male role models, less competition, and lack of structure hurt boys in the classroom (2011).

Garrett, R. (2011, January 5). Gender Gap: Why Boys Can't Keep Up. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.education.com/magazine/article/the-gender-gap/

read and write about.

woman and we are choosing

the books for all students. We

must be aware of how boys learn

to meet their needs.

and keep them from the potential harm

( including emotional distress)?

Read Me? And How! (2009, January 1). Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.edugains.ca/resourcesLIT/BoysLiteracy/MeReadandHow.pdf

Boys' Literacy. (n.d.). Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.k12academics.com/education-issues/boys-literacy#.VLsmm0fF_T8

the effectiveness of

new strategies?

Boys Literacy-Engaging Boys in Reading

TLDSB Communications (Producers). (2012). Boys Literacy-Engaging Boys in Reading (You Tube video). Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtYafTNst_g

Expand the meaning of literature to

include digital media

informational text

5. Literacy: New study on boys and reading. (2013, September 24). Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.todaysparent.com/family/education/boys-and-reading/

Ortiz, A., Ferrell, D., Anderson, J., Cain, L., Fluty, N., Sturzenbecker, S., & Matlock, T. (2014, June 1). Teacher Research on Boys' Literacy in One Elementary School. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/images/voices/9_Ortiz v9-1.pdf

practices at home and 

how can it be supported?

Note Cards 1-5

“practical ways for parents, teachers and mentors 

to encourage the young men in their lives to engage with books.”(7)

“Provide resources for parents, such as parent–child reading kits

and information sessions on how to support their children’s literacy learning.”13

“Establish boys’ literature circles and book clubs”13

Male reading role models

My proposed study will explore the reasons why boys are behind and not engaged in reading, and identify effective practices to improve boys’ literacy skills.  Current research suggests that a significant number of boys do not enjoy reading and are not performing well in literacy skills (“Boys’ Reading Commission,” 2011; Glavin, n.d.; Ortiz, Ferrell, Anderson, Cain, Fluty, Sturzenbecker, Matlock, 2014; “Read Me? And How!,” 2009).  Girls are outperforming boys on standardized achievement tests and are more engaged in reading (“Tackling the Challenge of Boys’ Literacy Gap,” 2005; Haaf, 2013; White, 2012; Jon Scieszka, 2011; Garrett, 2011; “Boys’ Reading Commission,” 2011). According to “The U.S. Department of Education reading tests for the last 30 years show boys scoring worse than girls in every age group, every year” (“Guys Read,” 2015, p.1).  According to the Boys’ Reading Commission, this is a major concern in many schools today (2012).  The top three themes to understanding how to support boys literacy that I have identified from my literature review include; the lack of male reading role models, the need to redefine literacy, and understanding how boys learn.   

One reoccurring theme in the pursuit of supporting boys’ literacy is the lack of male reading role models.  This especially hits home because I am a female, fourth grade language arts teacher.  Brozo (2012) states that “something like 94 percent of elementary teachers are female” (as cited in White, 2012, para.15).  There is a lack of male staff modeling positive reading attitudes in the primary schools. This may make boys perceive reading as a female past time, and then they don’t see it as a masculine activity (“Guys Read,” 2015; Garrett, 2011; “Boys’ Reading Commission,” 2012; Ortiz, Ferrell, Anderson, Cain, Fluty, Sturzenbecker, Matlock, 2014; “Read Me? And How!,” 2009). Since most of the elementary teachers are woman, we are also choosing the books.  We need to be aware of what boys need to be successful, so we can promote texts that appeal to boys and not just girls (Haaf, 2013; White, 2012; “Boys’ Reading Commission,” 2012).  Female teachers and mothers are the ones who are buying books for boys (White, 2012).  Positive male reading attitudes should also be promoted at home.  Wendy Haaf  (2013) tells us that “In addition to reading to their sons, dads should make a point of letting him see you scanning stories in the newspaper or on your iPad during breakfast, reading reports for work, using an instruction manual, or reviewing the rules of a new game” to model positive reading (para. 10).

The third reoccurring theme in my pursuit of supporting boys’ literacy I found was that we must understand a boy’s learning style.  Jon Scieszka (2011) in his You Tube video discusses  “the male way of learning, which tends to be action oriented and competitive, works against boys in many classrooms.”  Boys take longer to read than girls do.  They struggle to sit still and stay on task.  Boys have a need for activity and a structured learning environment (“Tackling the Challenge of Boys’ Literacy Gap,” 2015; Haaf, 2013; Garrett, 2011).  We need to harness this need for activity and put it into our literacy lessons.  According to a national survey conducted by the Young Ad “boys were willing to “do” literacy in active, public ways (such as debating, drama, public speaking)” (“Read Me? And How!,” 2009).  Research found that boys were motivated by the use of the arts, active learning experiences, competitions, games, literature circles, debates, contests, and group activities (Ortiz, Ferrell, Anderson, Cain, Fluty, Sturzenbecker, Matlock, 2014; “Read Me? And How!,” 2009). Connecting these activities to real life is also a way to hook boys into reading. (“TLDSB Communications,” 2012; “Tackling the Challenge of Boys’ Literacy Gap,” 2005; White, 2012; “Read Me? And How!,” 2009).  We have to foster a boy’s love of reading using any method that connects with them.  Finding what they connect with is key.

The literature review gave me the opportunity to dive into an issue that directly influences my teaching everyday as a fourth grade Language Arts teacher, boys’ literacy.  The research from the reviewed articles contributed to the knowledge of boys’ literacy by helping me identify the main points and issues of boys’ literacy.  It will help guide my further research of this topic by helping me narrow down my ideas for data collection and research questions.  It also gave me some ideas for effective practices I might use in the future to improve boys’ literacy.  I am already making changes in my classroom after what I have learned from this research.  The research is making me more aware of my current teaching practices and how I can improve them.  If I can find ways to engage my boys’ in literacy, then they will show growth.

Summary  

Through my research on reasons why boys are behind and not engaged in reading, and identifying effective practices to improve boys’ literacy skills, I hope to show student growth.  I have discovered that boys need positive reading role models, choices of texts, and active experiences with those texts.  The key seems to be to find ways to reach and connect with boys through literacy.

in the library or online?

son's reading preferences?

to support boys' literacy?

in the classroom by the teacher

to support boys' literacy?