Alison Schultz – Liberty Senior High (10-12) Beth Marley – Liberty Junior High (8 & 9) Robin Lewis - South Valley Middle School (6 & 7) Teresa Barnett – South Valley Junior High (8 & 9) Susan Martin – Liberty Middle School (6 & 7) Rethinking Reading for Boys in the Secondary Library

Boys…. Are 50% more likely to be retained a grade Comprise over 80% of students diagnosed with ADD and ADHD Are an average of 1.5 grades behind girls in reading Take longer to learn to read than girls Are far more likely to read for utilitarian reasons than girls are Baxter, Kathleen. Connecting Boys to Books, BER Institute, p. 100.

LPS Disaggregated Data MAP-Com Arts-06 By Gender Grade 3Grade 4Grade 5 #Top 2 Bottom 2 Map Index # Top 2 Bottom 2 Map Index# Top 2Bottom 2 Map Index Total Male Female Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8 #Top 2 Bottom 2 Map Index#Top 2 Bottom 2 Map Index#Top 2 Bottom 2 Map Index Total Male Female Grade 11 #Top 2 Bottom 2 Map Index Total Male Female

Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) 2006 State Disaggregate Data Math GradeGirlsBoys ComArts GradeGirlsBoys Average difference: 1.7Average difference: 22.4

Let’s process! What do you think the MAP data says about gender differences in reading in Missouri? What do you know about gender differences in your building?

What the research says… Many boys do not consider themselves readers. Things that interest boys – magazines, comic books, baseball cards, and instruction manuals – are not often found in the library or classroom and are not typically valued in the school setting.

Why is this an issue? Boys tend to value reading less and see reading as informational rather than recreational. Reading choices made for boys frequently do not reflect their preferences and are influenced by women.

And the Survey Says… Library media specialists surveyed 3 rd -5 th grade students about their reading habits and preferences. Most boys said that they DID like to read.

And the Survey Says… Boys liked: history, sports, realistic, war stories, biography, humor, how-to, comics, science fiction, ghost stories, adventure, science, chapter books, mysteries. Boys identified favorite authors: Rowling, Duprau, R. L. Stine, Pilkey, Seuss, Jack London, Shel Silverstein, Andrew Clements, Lemony Snicket, Ron Roy, Barbara Park.

How can we help? Recognize that boys are social readers. Support learning style: action-oriented and competitive. Provide opportunities for boys to read the way they like to read. Connect reading with their favorite activities. Begin with an experience or project then read for information Read novels with strong male protagonists. Let boys observe other males reading.

How can we help? Promote materials recommended by other boys. Allow boys to read where they are comfortable. Provide a wide range of reading materials – magazines, newspapers, comic books, etc. Let them make their own choices at the library. Try to work with them so you both are happy! Encourage reading of a series. Get boys into the library and around books – Book Clubs and Reading Programs!

Library Action Plans Each LMS in Liberty created an action plan. Based on research Change instruction, facility, collection development, signage, activities Accountability Examples…

Let’s process! What adjustments can you make in your library to make it “boy-friendly?” How can you motivate the boy readers at your school?

What do boys like in books? Information they can use or talk about Humor Action NOT feelings Plot-driven rather than character-driven stories. Books that capture their interest immediately Books with a male protagonist…one with an “attitude” or “edge”

Characters like themselves. (Different ethnicities, races, & backgrounds who live in a variety of homes and communities) The ghoulish, the gross, the disgusting! What do boys like in books?

Materials that Appeal to Boys Magazines Newspapers (especially the comics, sports, and entertainment) Nonfiction books Humorous books Adventure Sports/Outdoors Fantasy/Science Fiction Mystery and Suspense Scary Stories/Gross things Graphic novels Comic books

Graphic Novels – what are they? A novel presented in graphic visual format Not comic strips put together in a book. Set up in the western style or the Japanese style (Manga). May have a rating system that is useful in selection. A (All Ages) Y (Youth 10+) T (Teen Age 13+) OT (Older Teen Age 16+) M (Mature Age 18+) A (All Ages)Y (Youth 10+) T (Teen Age 13+)OT (Older Teen Age 16+) M (Mature Age 18+)

Other Considerations Be aware of changes in pop culture. Note the visual appearance of a book. Get input from boys. A good book for a boy......is one he wants to read!

Let’s process! Take a moment to think about the books in your library.... what types of books do you already have that interest your boys and what types of books could you add? What things can you do to attract boys to those books? (Displays, a promotion in a daily broadcast or announcement, booktalks, etc.)

Programming For Boys: Why? Boys are social readers. Learning style is action-oriented and competitive. Programming provides opportunities for boys to read the way they like to read. Book Clubs connect them with materials they want to read AND the chance to read with others who like what they do. Activities designed for boys affirm their reading choices and behaviors.

Reading Programs for Boys Comic book clubs – Share what they are reading, comic book drawing, story boards, computer graphics. Graphic novel book clubs – Share their interests with an audience who appreciates the genre. Pizza, Pop and Paperbacks – Feature a male guest reader; have a selection of “boy books” available.

More Reading Programs for Boys Series book clubs – Feature Harry Potter, Cirque du Freak, Series of Unfortunate Events, Inheritance (Eragon), Alex Rider Adventures Online book clubs/blogs Online quizzes for the Mark Twain, Truman, and Gateway Reader’s Choice award books Read-Alouds of engaging books

Let’s process! What programming ideas do you have that meet the needs or interests of your boy readers?

Educating Other Educators Acceptance of boy-friendly materials Reading lists and journals Time to read Sustained silent reading

Bibliography Pilgreen, Janice J. The SSR handbook : How to Organize and Manage a Sustained Silent Reading Program Portsmouth, NH : Boynton/Cook Publishers, c (subscription)