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Boys & Games: Using Puzzles to Improve Literacy Skills

Submitted by Kristen Bevilacqua
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Boys
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It started with the great Pyramids. Then it continued with pharaohs, mummies and most recently hieroglyphics. When my student discovered his newest interest, I discovered another way to make our sessions fun and improve his literacy skills at the same time.

One of the books on Egypt included hieroglyphic puzzles in which we matched the symbols to the letters of the alphabet that they represented. Once all the symbols had been matched to letters, we were left with a message or riddle that related to the story. He was eager to try the next one and the next one after that. When all the puzzles in the book had been solved, I scrambled to find similar puzzles that would continue to engage him and encourage his thinking skills.

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Getting Boys to Read During Summer Vacation: The Backyard Camp

Submitted by Holly J from Rochester Parenting Examiner
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How do I get My Sons to Read This Summer?

Getting boys to read come summer vacation can be difficult. Many will insist they don’t have to read when school is out and others will whine that they need a break from reading. Parents may need to find crafty ways to circumvent typical reading sessions and approach summer reading in a completely different way.

Get Boys to Read by Being a little Sneaky...

Keeping in mind that boys are an active people who are always game for an adventure, one way to get them excited about reading is to make it a sub-activity in a grander escapade. Instead of focusing on the act of reading, focus on a pursuit that appeals to boys and then incorporate reading into the activity.

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"As a writer and mother of three sons, I was delighted when I discovered Getting Boys to Read." - Jayne, mother/writer in South Carolina

"GettingBoysToRead.com has been an inspiration and a form of support to me, not only as a reading teacher but as a parent of a son who needed reading encouragement." - Judith, teacher in Tennessee

"Your site rocks! Congrats and keep up all of the great work!" - Stacey, teacher librarian in New York

"I wrote your website address on my summer reading list. I hope parents are going to be as enthusiastic as I am when you gave it to me. Good luck." - Sophie, school librarian in New Jersey

"Our son just turned 13 and used to read but seems like it is more of a chore now...thanks for all the great articles. Our goal now is to find some books that are interesting to him and get him back on the right track!" - Cherie, mom in Pennsylvania

"I have now bookmarked GettingBoysToRead.com as one of my favorite library/reading/book related websites." - Rory, teen librarian in Nebraska

"I signed up to "Gettingboystoread" today. What a fantastic site!" - Sade

I think your site sounds very interesting and necessary. - Danielle

Hey Mike! We love to read!! My 4 kids love to read, too.. Although different ways and interests...My 8yo stays late at night just to finish a book he's totally into! Great idea and purpose!

It's a great website and especially helpful for me and my 2 year old son. - Angel

I couldn't stop reading your page- that is fabulous what you do! My son was not originally a reader and I switched him into a magnet school. It has changed him and now that he is entering middle school he made all of the honors classes. I know what you do makes a difference! - Jill

Thanks for the GREAT work you're dooing for kids!! Particularly BOYS. - Sue

Hi Mike, I'm a children's book author and a mother of a 1st-grade boy. I've been following your tweets for awhile and love them. Please keep up the good work! - Laurie

As a former reading teacher, I applaud you. Keep up the good work. - Kim

I am very impressed with your website. It's great to see how varied this incredibly important topic can be presented to parents, community, boys and educators. - Alexa

I am very interested in your blog and will be checking it out. I am a mother to 3 girls and 1 boy. My girls and I love to read, but my husband is not much of a reader and the little guy is already proving to not care for "storytime". I am hoping to someday "convert" my husband to reading and I hope my son will also turn out to be a reader. Anyway, I look forward to reading your tips. - Danielle

I have a 9 year old boy that I currently homeschool. I looked at your site and I joined! Loved it! I think you are really filling a need. - Richele

Hi Mike - Great mission! I have two boys, a mom who's an early childhood literacy specialist, so I know the work you're doing is SO important! Rock on. - Liv

Your blog is great! I know lots of parents who are struggling to get their boys to read...hiring tutors, etc. mixed success. I don't know of any blogs like yours. - Christina

You give me hope. My son hates to read and it has been a struggle. Thanks! - Katherine

Getting boys to read is a particular passion of mine, so it was fun to visit your site. - Bridget

I love the concept behind your blog. Fantastic book reviews focused on encouraging boys to read! - Dolly

I have two boys,still younger now, but one coming up on the age of learning to read. I look forward to viewing your site and getting ideas to help!! Thank you!! - Reannon

I think your website ROCKS!- Tara

It's great to see that someone is caring about what boys read and learn. - Sue

Great site Mike. Boys and school/reading IS such an adventure!! They certainly are wired differently than girls. I've actually found it easier to teach my boys to read, but harder to get them to really love to read for enjoyment. Best of luck to you. - Michelle

Sounds like you're doing some great work! What a great cause... looking forward to connecting, just added you on Twitter - Rebecca

I love your site.Great stuff. I have 2 boys and I love the crusade to get boys to read. Keep up the good work! See you on fb too. - Nora

I'd love to network with you. Reading is a favorite pastime with my boys, and I'd love to share tips to help other moms assist their little ones in knowing the love of reading. -April

I love your blog and you are doing something really important like the awareness of reading , keep it up. - Angela

Wow! What an Awesome sight! I have 3 boys and 1 girl and for the life of me, I just realized Boys def. need more tools and encouragement to read than Girls. What a very useful page you have going! Kelleye

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Boys & Games: Using Puzzles to Improve Literacy Skills

Getting Boys to Read During Summer Vacation: The Backyard Camp

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