Getting Boys to Read

1. Provide an interesting and wide variety of reading materials including newspapers, magazines, and non-fiction as well as fiction.
2. Make available literature that reflects a wide diversity of cultures. Take special care to see to it children of color are familiar with literature by and about authors from their ethnic group or nationality as well as with the writers and illustrators themselves. This helps to instill self-pride and makes the reading experience more meaningful because they can relate to the literature.
3. If working with adolescent males, use current events pertaining to their lives (e.g., the social justice system) and engage them in lively debates and discussions about these events. This will also stimulate critical thinking.
4. Use process drama and conflict resolution strategies in responding to literature, especially stories dealing with the fair treatment of different characters in a story. Social Issues children’s literature is a good vehicle for these types of activities. The Little Bill Series by Bill Cosby lends itself well to these types of activities also, especially for elementary school boys.
5. Employ the multiple literacies that boys bring to school with them. These would include visual literacy, technological or Internet literacy, texting, media literacy, creating raps, as well as other types of literacies.
6. Form a boys’ writing club.
7. Employ active group learning and peer-teaching strategies.
8. Avoid the over-use of worksheets.

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