Table Of Content

Turn Your Boys INTO READERS! GES MA Make your classroom Wh en it’s time to choose science projects, does the aerodynam- RAPHY (RF)/GETTY I mwoartech g uthye-f Brbyioe yPnasdm ltyh ,A railvlnyedn. mReacoterdrsia 2l,0 d1io1ocf? s y b Moolaufa c Nnrkyue wrnof—fi dg tunohwnoet d bswaoparyidtlsske i—ransp t?ypo oW eCuaharl petctnolaa iyinstos ’sUru ont?oid mWmerehp daatoont. t acsS bhionooruco Gets u etti hhnreene a ehvsdaasi bsnWtigt o artlsd OG majority of elementary school teachers are women, we need to make a OT PH special effort to choose topics, books, and projects that will engage the RILL boys in our classroom. G MIE Unfortunately, girls still outscore boys in reading proficiency levels; © JA the gender gap is startling and concerning. The myth that boys won’t O: read or that it’s not “cool” for boys to love reading plays a big part in how OT H these low levels come to be. Low expectations from teachers, and an P 29 SCHOLASTIC INSTRUCTOR BACK TO SCHOOL 2011 INS1•Boys[29-34]v6cb.indd 29 7/19/11 6:40 PM feature BOYS AND READING assumption that boys prefer physical the day (yes, boys love poems!) or a that comfortable condition (so long as activity, mean that boys often don’t weekly “ad campaign” for a favorite no one jumps on him!). Have students find classrooms very “boy friendly.” new book choice. build their own reading nooks, or see if Of course, this doesn’t mean that they enjoy reading outside, or aloud on Environment boys actually hate to read (or don’t at your school’s theater stage. all). Interested in how my male friends Ask boys what the best reading envi- Try asking all of your students: spent their proudly boisterous child- ronment for them would be (don’t What would it take for us to become hoods, I am amazed how often they guess—listen). Do you like reading lifelong readers? And remember to will say to me, “Oh, I hated to read as a kid!” Though upon further reflection they’ll reveal, “Well, I read lots of Mad Go beyond the weepy Newbery winners and magazines and comics…and Boys’ Life too, and war histories.…” include high-interest topics for boys. Boys do read, and in this modern world of new technology and irrever- ently humorous books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, we must do the one thing alone or with a group? Being read to keep it fresh: You might set up a read- that people find so hard to do some- or reading to yourself? Do you like ing tent one day, or allow kids to read times: listen! Boys’ interests, as silly some light music or do you like a quiet on the playground. As students grow or bizarre as they might be, can help room? These are important questions and their reading preferences change, you cultivate your classroom into an to ask, and can lead the boys to eagerly they may wish to redesign their read- engrossing reading world for boys and look forward to their individualized ing spots to meet new needs. girls alike. It’s up to us as teachers to reading environments each day. Access make that classroom a truly friendly This might involve allowing boys to place for all of our readers. select unusual reading spots. If one is Surround your students with books As part of my research, I’ve created passionately involved in a text under- and text of all kinds, especially nonfic- an easy to remember acronym, READ neath a beanbag, I say let him claim tion and poetry—the two genres boys —Ritual, Environment, Access, and Dialogue—to help us create the best boy-friendly environment possible. Here’s how to implement the READ strategies in your own classroom. Ritual Traditions hold the power to create positive momentum in a boy’s reading Where storage + style connect. life. Be sure to make time to read aloud Scan to visit the site! to your boys every day. Take a simple survey at the beginning of the year to collect any favorite subjects. Then find books on those and include them Introducing RooMeez, a modern storage in your read-aloud schedule. Going solution for today’s needs. Featuring beyond the weepy Newbery winners and including high-interest topics will modular pods and accessories, RooMeez make boys fall in love with the experi- can be easily customized to take on any ORGANIZE FURNISH PLAY ence of sharing a good story. task. With design options ranging from Let the room feel boisterous and fun kid-friendly and fun to elegant, RooMeez while your kids are selecting books for independent reading. Add music as a lets you organize without sacriﬁcing nice touch to transitions when stu- your style. dents are selecting books or finishing reading time. Spur physically joyous associations with reading by incorpo- rating stretches and movement. Be creative, and don’t forget that your students might have a great idea for a daily ritual such as a poem of 31 CONtACt US! 800.543.4149 // MyRooMeez.com // [email protected] SCHOLASTIC INSTRUCTOR BACK TO SCHOOL 2011 INS1•Boys[29-34]v6cb.indd 31 7/20/11 2:26 PM feature BOYS AND READING 20 Top Books for Boys clamor for in my reading initiatives, your boys as the books about bugs, ing about this chapter?” or “What did and the least likely to be found on sports, and race cars. you find surprising about this book?” many of our bookshelves. This leads into the broader topic of Make reading a social and interac- Allow your boys to determine which assumptions. Try not to make them. tive experience by having boys read forms of reading most fit their unique Recently, a group of teachers I know aloud to each other. Make it fun: Once 5 Books to Inspire Your reading worlds: Don’t sneeze at graphic bought a stack of sports books because a student laughs out loud during his novels, video game manuals, game their hunch was those were the books turn at Alan Katz’s Smelly Locker: Silly Boys’ Inner Journeys instructions, and cereal boxes. the boys were looking to read. Well, Dilly School Songs, the next boy reads. Champion book series, such as the they all went for the LeBron James Use verbal and written dialogue to offbeat Wayside School series by Louis books, but not the other hundred the foster a feeling of authentic engage- 1. Anno’s Journey, by Mitsumasa Anno. In this Sachar, which can generate a boy’s teachers had purchased about basket- ment between the boys and their wordless picture book, Anno takes readers on a long-lasting relationship with a text. ball. When asked, the boys said: “We reading, regardless of the method of European tour. The detailed illustrations allow The same goes for comic books, graph- love LeBron! It’s not about basketball!” communication. If your boys seem children to tell their own stories along the way. ic novels, and other series. Get totally Dig down and ask lots of questions to endlessly attached to computers, cell psyched by the boy who is engrossed help you understand what motivates phones, and other forms of technology, 2. The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo in a complete series, and cheer him on your boy readers: “Why did you choose have them blog, tweet, or e-mail reac- Farnsworth, by Kathleen Krull. This testament to until he reaches the finish line. this book? What makes you love it?” tions to you and to one another! perseverance reveals how open fields near his Make sure there are books in your I encourage you to stand up for your home inspired 14-year-old Philo’s big idea. Dialogue library written by both male and boys’ reading selections. Make them female authors, featuring male and The final part of the acronym may be feel proud of what they are reading and 3. The Art Lesson, by Tomie dePaola. This tale of a female protagonists and covering a the most important. Get your boys value what they truly want to read. If boy whose passion for drawing is threatened is a wide range of topics that excite all of reading by talking to them and really they feel this from you, the classroom lesson on individuality and self-expression. your boys. Don’t stereotype what those listening. Ask questions yMouA dTonH’t DIVISwIOillN be completely boy-friendly. Always topics may be; including books on clas- know the answers to. StopIn tshter u“Wcthoor iMs agaaskz itnhee question: Does this work for 4. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time sical ballet in your library and reading the main character?” kind of question both girls and boys? Indian, by Sherman Alexie. Alexie’s fictionalization Aug 2011 them aloud could be as intriguing to and ask, “What is your deepest think- Happy reading! of his childhood is both funny and poignant. INT1108M 5. Harry Houdini, by Vicki Cobb. With wonderful accompanying photographs, this informative ISNpcarlTk iRm aO g i n D va tU i oC Cn es h Iw iNaRtrh eGbrrlaimgehdti,s np alLagyifk ufNel il l eFusbitwcratt oeiBdo obnooo.o kDskk teshal tisf avroee ™arr tsh Yo Croouogurhlery k CiKdu-f–rrier2nidc lyRu inletaraord udCcteoionnr ttso et!hne wto. rld of non ﬁction! 5 Books That Satisfy the Sci-Fi and Fantasybio gFraapnhya ist aics magical as Houdini himself. Cloverleaf Books™—Fall’s Here! 6-Book Series 1. The Maximum 2. Superhero, by Marc 3. The Sandman 4. The Way Back 4. Ender’s Game, by Ride series, by James Tauss. Maleek, a young series, by Neil Gaiman. Home, by Oliver Orson Scott Card. This OTO Patterson. This series boy with superhero What would you wish Jeffers. A boy finds an classic book, which CKPH blends action, adven- powers, embarks for if you could have airplane in his closet has inspired count- IMPiRsO aVlEsC oKl EaoYv vLaIeTirlEaRlebAaCleYf iSBnK oILLoeLSrk nAseN™rD— IMnPAtlKeaEr naRcEeAttiD vPIeNr GBo AotNoeDkc ™LtEo fAorRrsNm INaGt F!U N. Cloverleaf Books™—Plan 7et-B Porookt eScetroierss © JILL CHEN/ISTO taebunnorjodoek ,ys ’ss cf uiop-pflrlieoo. rtwBhaogeinyroosgn ewitssht,ie l, l ohtshpnisra oacru eojog bthuoo rt tt,n irMmeyy aet row av rinytedhns ,t ore awsKonihnmyagtte h oohifnna Degp ?rpc eeaFanpimntsdu sw r,o ehausent tn dh e aiamt n cuidnrsa ttdos ebh sco pilndaadnec sdew .it nioAtg hff,t l etyhhr e e ltEwehnhsedso e i onsrt,te heatens b rso oetuya st l gtetoeosrn, ystia ueovlsfle s Individual Paperback Books: $6.95 O: the witty and sarcas- the green spaces of anything becomes Martian he meets the universe from a Individual Library Bound Editions: $23.93 (List) • $17.95 (S&L) OT eBook Editions: $17.95 (List) • $13.46 (S&L) PH tic tomboy Max. New York City. possible. to fix his spaceship. malevolent alien race. RL: 2 • IL: K–2 • 24 Pages • Teaching Guides Available www.lernerbooks.com 33 INT1108M SCHOLASTIC INSTRUCTOR BACK TO SCHOOL 2011 INS1iBoys[29-34]v6cb.indd 32 7/21/11 4:18 PM INS1iBoys[29-34]v6cb.indd 33 7/21/11 10:18 AM feature BOYS AND READING 5 Books to Make Boys Love Poetry 1. The Fastest Game on Two Feet and Other Poems About How Sports Began, by Alice Low. A fascinating collection that tells the ori- gins of sports, from ancient athletics to modern games. 2. Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night, by Joyce Sidman. This collection explores the dynamic world that comes to life each night, from owls and bats to spiders and crickets. 3. Looking Like Me, by 5 Weird, Disgusting, and Walter Dean Myers. Through Myers’ beautiful poetry, we Ultimately Engrossing Books witness a celebration of the bonds between father and son and the love that fami- 1. Parts, by Tedd Arnold. This zany story concerns a boy lies share. who is falling apart. Literally. The comical illustrations capturing the narrator’s imagination are riveting. 4. You Hear Me? Poems and Writing by Teenage 2. Oh, Yuck! The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty, by Boys, edited by Betsy Franco. Joy Masoff. This book is for kids who are curious about Franco’s anthology of open, body lint, slugs, acne, snot, creepy-crawly creatures, honest, coming-of-age and other unpleasant but puzzling mysteries. poetry is written by teens, for teens. Older boys will 3. Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger, Kevin Bolger. This certainly identify with the hilarious quest story for kids is set in the Kingdom of content and unique voices. Armpit, as Prince Harry, Sir Fartsalot, and Sir Knotaclew band together to take down the evil Snotty Scoundrel! 5. Orangutan Tongs: Poems to Tangle Your Tongue, by 4. Walter the Farting Dog, by William Kotzwinkle and Jon Agee. A perfect book to Glenn Murray. Let’s face it: Passing gas makes kids laugh. start boys on poetry. Filled Who better to do this than a household pet? This is a with wacky rhymes, this GES MA silly story that will make your boys squeal with glee. bvooloukm wei loln k eheigph t.h e laugh GETTY I 5. The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Gross RF)/ Junior Edition, by David Borgenicht and Nathaniel Marunas. MAN ( “How to Survive Lice” and “A Field Guide to Flatulence” Pam Allyn is the author of Best Books for Boys: How to Engage M LA are headings that indicate what this handbook offers to Boys in Reading in Ways That Will Change Their Lives, available at © TI its readers: tips for surviving gross “emergencies.” scholasticstore.com. O: OT H P 34 SCHOLASTIC INSTRUCTOR BACK TO SCHOOL 2011 INS1iBoys[29-34]v6cb.indd 34 7/21/11 10:18 AM