I Can Learn from You ― Boys As Relational Learners

The result of a study in six countries--the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa--this book looks at effective general strategies for teaching middle and high school boys. The authors begin with clear data that shows boys now lag behind girls in reading skills in all countries measured, with an increasing gap in higher education; if current trends continue, male college graduates will be exclusively from the highest social and economic classes. The authors surveyed both teachers and male students about effective teaching, and offer three general principles from the study: boys tend to respond to ineffective teaching by disengaging or resisting, and effective teachers respond by adjusting their techniques until students respond positively; effective teaching for boys often includes physical or tangible activities; boys need to connect with the teacher before they can connect with the subject. The book is extremely clear that helping boys succeed is a different task than blocking or discounting the success of girls. It offers seven basic recommendations for teachers and administrators: reach out beyond protocols to meet student needs; respond to individual student interests and talents; share common interests and talents with students; hire and support teachers who share common characteristics (ethnicity, faith, learning style) with their male students; be willing to let teachers appropriately disclose personal experiences; be willing to reveal some personal vulnerability. Annotation c2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)