Enhancing the School Success of Boys of Color Grades PreK-3 Train-The-Trainer Summer Institute Lansing Public Schools July 18, 2011 Dorinda J. Carter Andrews, Ed.D.

Module 4 Establishing a Boy-Friendly Classroom

Boy-Friendly Learning Environments Effective Preschool Classrooms: – Support spatial-mechanical play and learning – Provide large bulletin boards where boys can proudly display their creations – Have lots of books, blocks of various sizes, and karate kicks – Have lots of light for working, reading, playing, and learning – Allow for choice-making – Have visuals on walls that reinforce concepts teachers are trying to help all students learn

Boy-Friendly Learning Environments Effective Preschool Classrooms: – Provide brain breaks to support the rest state that boys naturally encounter – Evidences music being played and made – Provides opportunities for learning in natural settings (through outdoor experiences) – Aren’t “wordy” environments

Bonding and Attachment Young children learn best when they learn from someone with whom they are intimately attached. The brain needs bonding and attachment to fully grow and learn. In the PreK-K age group, stress is generally founded in fear of attachment loss.

Bonding and Attachment Bonding Solutions – Having two teachers in the classroom is optimal (the second mother concept) – Establish “I Love You Rituals” “High Five” game, The Little Box – Routines and Schedules

Bonding and Attachment Tips – Be genuine with children – Call each child by name – Learn about the child’s world, personal life, and personal interests – Use “I noticed...” statements – Smile, touch (when appropriate), and make eye contact – Attend events in the child’s life whenever possible – Respect the child and the child’s opinions – Personally disclose your life as appropriate/Tell your own story – Give the child choices and options that compel healthy decision making – Be nonjudgmental – Listen, and then listen some more – Admit mistakes you have made

Dealing with Aggressive Behavior Boys are generally more physically aggressive than girls, and girls are generally more socially manipulative than boys. – Aggression Nurturance strategies

Brainstorming/Strategizing With your building team, identify strategies for establishing a boy-friendly (school, classroom), with boys of color in mind. (Remember the concept of mapping race and culture on your learning about gender differences) – Bonding and attachment – The Work Space/Classroom Setup – Aggression Nurturance

Setting High Academic Expectations No Opt Out – A sequence that begins with a student unable to answer a question should end with the student answering that question as often as possible Format Matters – It’s not just what students say that matters but how they communicate it. To succeed, students must take their knowledge and express it in the language of opportunity Right is Right – Set and defend a high standard of correctness in your classroom Without Apology – Do not apologize for the material that you’re teaching Stretch It – The sequence of learning doesn’t end with a right answer; reward right answers with follow-up questions that extend knowledge and test for reliability.

Activities Activity 4.1 Activity 4.2

What Stuck? An ‘Aha’ moment A pleasant surprise Something that you had to struggle with to understand Something that you don’t agree with Something that you agree with strongly Something you thought was particularly interesting Something you didn’t expect An insight or solution Something you want to know more about/A question that you have