Boys and Books

Why Boys Read Utility: “1st reason” Boys read for a sense of agency. They want to learn about the real world to understand it better.

Why Boys Read Action: “2nd reason” Boys get bored and impatient. They do not like books that take to long to get off the ground, or stories that teach a lesson. They may be too young to understand the lesson. “2nd reason”

Why Boys Read Interest: “3rd reason” Teacher and parents need to pay close attention to their interest if they want boys to read. Boys interest should be taken seriously and not considered trash.

Why Boys Read Gross Things: “4th reason” Boys tend to be obsessed with gross humor. Read or introduce boys to books that talk about boogers and farts.

Books boys Like to Read Utility Books: National Wildlife Federations Magazines (Ranger Rick & Your Big Backyard) Boys Life (Scouting magazine – this will even appeal to boys that are not part of the scouting organization) Great American Warriors The Great Houdini Babe Ruth Genius Book of World Records

Books boys Like to Read Action Books: Captain Underpants A Series of Unfortunate Events Take me out of the Bathtub Roald Dahl books Flat Stanley Hatchet The River The Redwall Series The Lord of the Flies Holes No, David Graphic Novels

Books boys Like to Read Books about their interest: Mike Lupica Books (sporting books about kids) Heart of a Champion Wednesday Wars Video Gaming Books Comic Books Magazines

Books boys Like to Read Gross Books: The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty Walter the Farting Dog Parts Dirty Berty Oh, Yuck!

Activities to Encourage Boys to Read Recommending banned books www.gettingboystoread.com Allowing boys to be active while you read www.schoollibraryjournal.com Using Puzzles and games Use comic books to teach writing Construct a sports bulletin board Story time during lunch Read gross humor books to boys

Putting It All Together Standard 1 – Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the work place; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works. Standard 6 – Students apply knowledge structure, language conventions (spelling and punctuation) media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts Standard 11 – Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities. Objectives: Students will be able to: Create a comparison poster board. Construct a sports bulletin board. Research and compare different sports figures. Write a research paper comparing two different sports figures. Students will present their research to the class. Resources: Internet access Library Sporting books in the classroom Magazines Newspapers www.schoollibraryjournal.com Targeted Age: 5th graders and above Lesson Length: 8 sessions of 60 minutes

Putting It All Together Procedures: Students will pick two different sports figures to research, compare and write a report on. 2. Students will research through books, magazines, newspapers and the internet. 3. Students will create a poster board with both sports figures and compare the differences. Students will present their poster boards to the class and share the differences of their two sports figures. 5. Students will work together to create a sports bulletin board with information on the different sports figures being researched. 6. Students will write a report on their two different sports figures.

Putting It All Together Assessment: Poster Board Rubric Total Points:______________ Excellent 4 points Good 3 points Average 2 points Messy 1 point No attempt made 0 points Title Name Pictures of both sports figures Interesting facts of both people. One picture hand drawn Neatness and appearance

Putting It All Together Assessment: Bulletin Board Rubric Total Points:______________ Excellent 4 points Good 3 points Average 2 points Messy 1 point No attempt made 0 points Added at least one of your sports figures Added at least four facts of information Added one interesting fact Participated in helping create the bulletin, title, names, etc. Worked well with others. Was a team player.

Putting It All Together Assessment: Presentation Rubric Total Points:______________ Excellent 4 points Good 3 points Some Mistakes 2 points Many Mistakes 1 points No attempt made 0 points Use volume, phrasing, timing, and gestures appropriately to enhance meaning. Emphasize points in ways that help the listener or viewer follow important ideas and concepts. Knew the facts of the report well. Eye contact – looked at audience. Used a visual with the presentation.

Resources: http://www.parentschoiceawards.com/article.cfm?art=210&the_page=reading_list http://gettingboystoread.com/content/lure-boys-reading-banned-books http://gettingboystoread.com/content/boys-games-using-puzzles-improve-literacy-skills http://gettingboystoread.com/content/lcomic-books-belong-schools http://gettingboystoread.com/content/boys-and-gross-humor http://www,booksforboys.com/ http://www.education.com/reference/article/gender-reading-preferences http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA439816.html http://www.ncte.org/standards http://www.gettingboystoread.com