Supporting Boys...
Project X has been created to meet the needs and interests of all children. However, there is a wealth of research showing that there are specific challenges involved in ensuring some boys become readers. Boys are more likely than girls to struggle with reading and to give up on independent reading. Boys are also far more likely than girls to under perform in writing. In the Rose Review of March 2006, Jim Rose identified: "urgent concerns about the generally weaker performance of boys than girls".
For these reasons Project X has been designed to include content and elements of teaching and learning practice which will particularly support boys while not disadvantaging girls.
Research also shows that in schools where there is little or no achievement gap between girls and boys, teachers:
- have high expectations of all the children in the class
- avoid gender or other stereo-typing
- use an active teaching style
- try to get all children involved
- make use of formative assessment.
Why do boys struggle with reading?
The reasons for some boys' underperformance in literacy are complex and often include wider societal factors such as gender roles and stereotypes, family influences, behaviour issues, peer pressure and self-stereotyping. There are also factors relating directly to the teaching of reading such as boys' early reading experiences, teacher expectations, teaching and learning practices, learning contexts and book choice. One factor, however, stands out above all others when it comes to boys and learning and that is motivation. When it comes to reading and writing boys, far more than girls, need to see a clear purpose for what they are doing. They won't simply do something because they are told to; they want to know what's in it for them. For some boys it is not that they can't, it is just that they can't be bothered!
As well as motivating content, a number of teaching and learning practices have been shown to be successful in addressing gender issues in school and in supporting boy readers. All of these have been incorporated into Project X.
By Dr Maureen Lewis - Series Editor
