Unique Reading Style

Have you ever noticed that boys select different genres of interest than girls? Some of the most popular readings for boys are comics, nonfiction, graphic novels, and statistical references. It is not that boys dislike reading, but they dislike "schoolish" reading. Boys are social readers and often sneak off into a corner to share with others while they read.

Boys have a unique style of reading. Consider the following mismatch of reading for boys at school.

Traditional "Schoolish" Reading

• Basal readers
• Reading aloud in a group
• Quiet, silent reading
• Start to finish reading
• Worksheets and skills
• Assessement-driven

Authentic "Boyish" Reading

• Comics, graphic novels, sports statistics
• Reading with peers
• Segmented reading based on interest
• Action-related reading
• Collective accumulation of books

Boys are not doing too well with reading at school. Yet, they are reading like crazy away from school. Maybe the mismatch is in what boys need and what schools are giving them...

From Observations to Research

Each day during guided reading instruction, I met with my reluctant readers. These readers, mostly boys, begrudgingly read from the basal reader, leveled readers, and novels that I thought would be most engaging for them. Reaching no success in motivating the boys, I assumed they did not like reading and were less abled in understanding literacy. However, I would find the same boys in the classroom library huddled around a magazine or Guinness Book of World Records whispering animatedly. I found myself wondering why they would not show the same enthusiasm when I led them in small group guided reading.

I have since learned that the scenario from my former elementary classroom was not unique to my setting, but common among boys around the world. Consider the following truths.

Boys are more likely than girls to:

• Earn D's and F's
• Be in special education
• Be diagnosed with ADHD and speech impairments
• Be suspended
• Be reported for disciplinary actions
• Be retained
• Have negative reactions to teachers
• Drop out of high school

The research supports these sad characteristics of young male learners. Observe the boys around you. Do you find the same to be true?