Role Models
Be a Reading Role Model for Boys
I love to read – always have since I was a child. Perhaps that's one of the reasons I decided to volunteer as a reading helper to work with children. I wanted to share my passion for reading with children who had not yet discovered theirs.
While reading together with my students is important, demonstrating a positive attitude about reading (and learning) is just as critical to their developing reading habits. As reading role models we are influential and can have a positive impact on boys' attitudes toward reading with just a few positive steps.
International Literacy Day
International Literacy Day, on September 8th, is an opportunity to renew our dedication to the importance of literacy and education for everyone. It is also a good time to think about the value of adult role models for our youth.
According to The International Reading Association, it is estimated that, “860 million of the world’s adults do not know how to read or write, and that more than 100 million children lack access to education”. With the high rate of illiterate adults around the world, how are we setting a good example for our youth?
Let's Talk About Obama's Speech to Our Kids
You’ve heard about it. Maybe you’ve even gotten into a heated discussion about it. President Obama is addressing schoolchildren about (gasp) sticking with their education. Today, the White House made his speech available. You can read for yourself this horrible, awful propaganda at the White House website.
Getting Black Boys to Read
There is a definite, though debated and not widely recognized literacy gap in the United States between males and females. You will probably not be surprised to know that this gap widens even further when we consider African American Boys.
How We Are Failing Black Boys
Read this excerpt from the article Are schools failing black boys? by Celeste Fremon & Stephaine Renfrow Hamilton:
Student Mentoring Programs Help Boys Look Forward to Reading
Nine schools in the Washington D.C. area participate in a reading project entitled “Readers are Leaders.” This program enables older elementary school students to get together with a younger student during lunch or recess to do some one-on-one reading. The program proclaims success; students have been more enthusiastic about reading!
Where are the Male Teachers?
In a 2006 study, the NEA reported that men make up less than ¼ of the elementary school teachers in the United States. An article from the StarTribune in Minneapolis went so far to say that male teachers were “going the way of the spotted owl.” There are three general reasons men stay away from teaching positions: low pay, gender stereotypes, and the fear of being wrongfully accused of sexual misconduct.
Dads - The Ultimate Reading Role Models
Calling all dads, calling all dads!
In a world with too many deadbeats dads, I witnessed a wonderful sight while waiting for my daughter in the dentist waiting room - a dad, his infant baby, his middle school son, and his young daughter - all involved in reading.
The teenage brother
When I first sat down, I noticed the older boy was reading a book out loud to his younger sister. Was he shy or embarrassed about reading in front of a room full of people? Not at all! Not only did the he read, but I could tell that he also
Guys Read - How We Ran Our Group
How it All Began
When I was an elementary teacher librarian, I was approached by Deb Hansen, a well respected reading specialist and colleague. Deb knew about my history and interest in getting boys to read and showed me Jon Scieszka's website GuysRead.com. We knew of a handful of 5th and 6th grade boys that were really struggling with reading and decided to try our own version of Guys Read.
Our Goals:
