Additionally, the acceleration of formal academic learning has hurt boys far more than girls: Boys are far more likely to be held back a grade in fourth grade and then again in ninth grade, an action that promotes a suspension rate for boys that is twice as high as that of girls. This in turn leads to a male dropout rate of 32 percent compared to 25 percent for females (Lamm, 2010). Closing Thoughts Pam Allyn, author of Best Books for Boys , notes that neither boys nor girls thrive with a lack of engaging instruction and curriculum innovation. She suggests: Let’s pay attention to the way our children learn best, at home, at school, and in the world. Let’s embrace unique learning styles and use them to inform our teaching. Let’s give our children options that intrigue them and tap into their natural curiosity. Together we can help every child feel empowered in the classroom and beyond. Finally, as children’s author Jon Scieszka reminds us, “The good news is that research also shows that boys will read—if they are given reading that interests them.”
References
Allyn, P. (2011). Pam Allyn’s Best Books for Boys . New York: Scholastic. Lamm, D. (2010). “Our Boys Are Falling Behind in Education.” Denver Post . Retrieved from: www.denverpost.com/opinion/ ci_14893585#ixzz1Mbtk6ame Lukits, A. (2016) Can Boys Beat Girls in Reading? New York: Wall Street Journal . Pew Research Center. (2016). Book Reading. Pew Research Center. Pirie, B. (2002). Teenage Boys and High School English. Portsmouth, NH. Heinemann. Scieszka, J. (2014). Guys Read: www.guysread.com Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report. (2016).
Tyre, P. (2008). The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do. New York: Crown. Tyre, P. (2005). “Boy Brains, Girl Brains.” Newsweek . September 19. Retrieved from: www.newsweek. com/2005/09/18/boy-brains-girl-brains.html Von Drehle, D. (2007). “The Myth About Boys.” Time . Wilhelm, J., and Smith, M. (2002). Reading Don’t Fix No Chevys: Literacy in the Lives of Young Men. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
New York: Scholastic. Retrieved from: http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/kfrr
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