Boys+&+Literacy+(Amanda+J)

Boys and Literacy **Research Question:** What are the Factors Affecting the Literacy Levels and Habits of Elemetnary, Middle, and High School Boys?

**Key Concepts: **
 * Teacher, Self, Male, and Female Perceptions of Literacy
 * Teacher Gender in Relation to Student Achievement
 * The Role of Parents in Relation to Literacy Practices

Research has shown that self perception and perceptions of others can directly affect student achievement. A good deal of the research on the topic of literacy levels and habits compares reading levels in terms of boys versus girls. The majority of studies have found that girls are better readers, inside and outside of school, than boys. Student’s perceptions of themselves as readers and teacher perceptions have also risen as common themes in the research. A portion of the research has a focus on the idea of reading being a “feminine” or “girly” habit. In connection to the idea that reading is perceived to be “feminine”, many articles have found that teachers perceive girls to be better reader than boys.
 * Teacher, Self, Male and Female Perceptions of Literacy: **

The role of the teacher is a major influence in the lives of students. Many studies have shown that teacher gender also influences both the achievement levels of the student and the interest levels of the student. Some studies have tried to show that female teachers have less of an affect on student achievement due to their gender. These female teachers are not able to directly relate to the interests of male students and feel uncomfortable teaching boys due to gender differences. Male students in these classes tend to have a low motivation for reading. However, other studies have shown that female tutors have a more direct influence on the views boys had on reading than male tutors. Boys who initially viewed reading as a feminine activity were able to change their views on reading and see themselves as good readers based on the positive response of the female tutors.
 * Teacher Gender in Relation to Student Achievement: **

Other studies have focused on the relationship between parental literacy practices and the literacy practices of their children. While this idea is not prevalent in the research, a few studies made the connection between parental reading habits and the reading habits of students. Studies have showed that both mothers and fathers of students guided the reading habits of their sons by creating alternate reading strategies that related to the cultural tendencies of adolescent males. Studies have also shown that mothers have the most influence on literacy choices of their sons and that the extended families of students helped to enrich reading encounters as well. Other studies have focused on companionship. Results have showed that students are with their family members more often than with their peers or teachers when reading.
 * The Role of Parents in Relation to Literacy Practices: **

**Sources:**
 * For a list of sources used in the literacy review, please click the link below: **


 * Three Monumental Studies: **

Teacher and Student Perceptions of Boys' and Girls' Reading Motivation //This study focuses on teacher and self perceptions of students in an Elementary classroom. Coddington and Guthrie 2009 found that student and teacher perceptions of the reading motivation of first graders are related. This study also found that girls' perceptions of their abilities are not as highly associated with achievement outcomes as boys' or teachers' perceptions. This supports the idea that self perceptions of girls in terms of literacy are higher than those of boys. This also shows a need for positive teacher perceptions of both boys and girls and an equal opportunity treatment of all students.//

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Literacy as a Leisure Activity: Free Time Preferences of Older Children and Young Adolescents. Language, Speech, And Hearing Services In Schools <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">//This study done by Nippold, Duthie & Larsen 2005 focuses on the free-time activities of sixth graders and goes hand in hand with the idea of interest. Rather than studying what students were interested in reading for educational purposes, the popularity of after school interests was completed.// //The results of this seven month study concluded that listening to music, watching television or videos, playing sports, and playing computer or video games wer//e //the most popular free time activities. Reading was moderately popular but boys were less interested in reading for pleasure than girls. This shows differences in interest levels and locations. This proves that strategies are needed to aid boys in seeing and understanding the connections between reading for leisure inside and outside of school.//

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Sex differences in the effects of interest on boys’ and girls’ reading comprehension. The British Psychological Society, 98, 223-235. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">//This study by Oakhill 2007 focuses on comparing the reading comprehension of middle school boys and girls. The motivation for students in this study proved to be interest based, and focused on the students' preferences of texts used on assessments. The results of this study showed that by basing the content on the test administered around student interest, boys were able to score higher on the test, while girls were not affected by the change in material. This proved that the comprehension level of boys improves with the addition of material that is of interest to them, making interest a major component in the achievement of boys.//

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Family Members/Guardians ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Are you looking for information that will help your own struggling reader? Is your boy uninterested in subjects of reading and writing? Do you want resources that you and your student can easily access to improve the literacy of your child? Look no further! Simply click on the links below to explore suggestions, videos, book lists, find free downloads, and read some helpful hints. ** [|Scholastic Resources: If Your 11-13 Year Old Boy Wont Read]
 * Open this site to find suggestions for what to do if your 11-13 year old boy who wont read. You will find links to a video that provides ideas for getting your boy to read as well as ideas from experts about modeling your reading, giving your boy a book, and not giving up.

[|Summer Reading Lists By Grade]
 * Click on this site to find summer reading book lists by grade, book lists by subject, internet sites for book lovers, and magazines to read online. Direct your student here to find reading alternatives for summer time as well as for during the school year!

[|The Best Books for Middle School Readers]
 * Look here for links to tips to encourage boy readers, suggestions for books for boys based on human, non-fiction, sports, animals & nature, mystery & adventure, fantasy, poetry & wordplay, and feelings and relationships. This page is meant to be for students in late Elementary school to Middle school and also provides a child development tracker and links to educational DVDs.

[|Boy Approved Books For Boys]
 * Open this site to find boy-approved book ideas, free downloads, and book club suggestions Also search for books by sorting by age and grade level as well as author, series, and theme. The home page is loaded with videos, audio clips, and book suggestions for boys of all ages.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">[|Creating Book Clubs For Boys]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">This blog provides helpful hints for parents interested in starting a book club for their boys. The blog, created using glogster, provides links for books for babies, story time ideas for beginning readers, and book club outlines and book reviews for independent readers and confident readers. The activities provided are all cost effective and helpful for completion in a home based setting.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Teachers/Administrators/Pre-Service Teachers **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',times,serif; text-align: center;">Are you looking for resources that you can use in your classroom or school district? Do you want to learn more about the causes of stereotypes based on male and female perceptions? Do you want to learn about programs and people who are trying to make a difference in advancing the literacy levels and practices of Elementary, Middle, and High School boys? Explore the links below to find out more about the topics mentioned above and many more great teachable ideas. [|Instructional Ideas for Teaching Boys]
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This youtube video provides examples and classroom ideas for developing boys' writing skills through speaking and listening. This video, created by Oxford Education and narrated by Gary Wilson, provides teaching ideas that can be transferred to any classroom involving boys. //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This video relates to the topic of literacy and boys because it provides instructional ideas related to literacy skills like writing, speaking, and listening. This also provides ideas based on the motivation of boys in the classroom. //

[|Jackson Katz, Ph.D.]
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This page is dedicated to Jackson Katz, Ph.D. Katz is a leading anti-sexist male activist who is recognized for his work in the field of gender violence prevention in eucation with men and boys. His focus on sports culture and the military has inspired many teachers and administrators to make changes to their own educational practices. This site provides links to workshops/trainings, testimonials, and the publications of Jackson Katz. Contact information is also provided. //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This relates to research on boys and literacy because Jackson Katz is taking a hands on route to prevent gender stereotyping. By advocating for an end to gender violence in education, Katz not only promotes his ideas but gives sources and reasons for others to do the same. //

[|Guys Read]
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This web-based literacy program for boys is meant to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers. Created by Jon Scieszka, the main page provides links to a book of the month, new books, projects promoting literacy in boys, and books based on categories. Categories include themes like "At least one explosion", "Sports", "Outer space, but without aliens" etc. //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This literacy program relates to the topic of boys and literacy because it has been created to directly promote the advancement of literacy levels in boys. Fortunately, this site provides lists of books that boys have approved and want to read. Teachers/Administrators and Pre-Service Teachers can use this site to find resources for their own classrooms, libraries, and provide more resources for boys. //

[|Adolescent Education Resources]
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This site focuses on providing resources for parents and educators of kids in grades 4-12. This particular article by Jane McFann looks at the social, psychological, and developmental reasons as to why young male readers fall behind female readers in literacy skills. McFann provides information about why the gender gap exists, gives possible solutions for teachers and parents, and advocates for males as role models for reading. //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">My research is directly connected to this site because male and female perceptions of reading ability are a common theme throughout. This article explains why this common theme exists. I also chose this article because it provides strategies and methods to fix the stereotype of reading being a "feminine" activity. //

[|Masculinity and the Media]
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This site provides links related to media portrayals of men and masculinity. Through citing various studies and films, the goal is to make parents and teachers aware of media stereotyping. The top of the page provides links to media and internet education resources for teachers and for parents. The men and masculinity section on this page provides links to articles and studies that focus on How the Media Define Masculinity, Common Stereotypes of Men in Media, Children's Perceptions of Male Stereotypes, Men's Magazines and the Construction of Masculinity, Masculinity and Sports Media, Masculinity and Advertising, and Male Authority in the Media. This page also provides information about how the media portray visible minorities, aboriginal people, girls and women, queer people, whiteness and white privilege, persons with disabilities, and religion. //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This connects to the research on literacy levels of boys because it explains the reasons for the stereotype about reading being feminine. It also gives reasons for why boys in Elementary, Middle, and High School step into gender roles and why these gender roles exist. Since the media is prevalent in the lives of boys of all ages, the media is able to directly shape attitudes about masculinity. //