Reaching Boys, Teaching Boys: Strategies that Work -- and Why - Softcover

Reichert, Michael; Hawley, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0470532785 ISBN 13: 9780470532782

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2010

Synopsis

·         Draws on an in–depth, worldwide study to reveal what lessons and strategies most engage boys in the classroom.   Studies were conducted in the UK.

About this title

Review

"Anyone involved in the educational process, teachers, counselors, administrators and parents, should take a look at this book. Incorporating the testimony of the students and their teachers into the book, the authors let the parties involved explain what does and does not work." (Bookloons.com, September 2010)

Psychologist Reichert and educator Hawley teamed up to investigate the "crisis" in boys' academic achievement by conducting a study of teachers' methods and students' performance in all-boy, college prep, middle and high schools in six English-speaking countries. Their insights into young males' own "rules of engagement" led them to three key insights: boys are relational learners who rely on a give-and-take approach with their teachers; boys elicit the kind of teaching they need via a feedback dynamic that teachers need to heed; and lessons for boys must offer at least one element to arouse and hold students' interests. Over 100 examples of successful, creative lessons from a host of instructors demonstrate what really works with boys, including stage fight techniques as part of studying Shakespeare; figuring out the odds of winning at cards; and creating a comic strip about the immune system. Much is made of how novel these lesson plans and projects are, but many of them are the familiar stuff of traditional private school curricula. A book more appropriate for teachers and administrators than parents, it is a real rubric for making learning lively and memorable in boys' lives. (Aug.) (Publishers Weekly, July 19, 2010)

From the Back Cover

". . .the best, most practical book about teaching boys that I have ever read."
--Michael Thompson, co-author, Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys and Best Friends, Worst Enemies

Challenging the widely held cultural impression that boys are stubbornly resistant to schooling, Reaching Boys, Teaching Boys features more than 100 detailed examples of classroom activities--along with real-world teaching techniques--that have proven effective with male students. Based on a wide-ranging, worldwide study of more than 1,500 boys and 1,000 teachers, Reichert and Hawley reveal what boys need in order to want to succeed in school and offer tips for forging successful relationships with boys. Woven throughout the book is moving testimony from both boys and teachers that validates the effectiveness of these lessons.

PRAISE FOR REACHING BOYS, TEACHING BOYS

"It is becoming clear to all of us--teachers, administrators, parents, and policy makers--that our schools must evolve in order to do a better job educating our young men. It won't happen overnight but it must happen. How to start? Open this book and turn to Chapter One. You'll be taking the first step on what I promise you will be a fascinating journey."
--from the foreword by PEG TYRE, bestselling author of The Trouble With Boys

"Like true explorers, Reichert and Hawley have ventured into the unknown and returned with a remarkable gift: a map for guiding boys toward their full potential. If you are a teacher--or if you want to understand the unique combination of factors that ignites boys to learn--you need to buy this urgent, timely, and terrific book."
--DANIEL COYLE, bestselling author of The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How

"At long last we find out 'what works' for connecting boys to their studies. In this remarkable book, Michael Reichert and Richard Hawley present a practical and inspiring guide for teachers at all levels."
--PATRICK F. BASSETT, president, National Association of Independent Schools

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0470532785
• ISBN 13: 9780470532782
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288