Angus MacRury’s Weblog

I have been looking online about how to improve the performance of boys and reading a book titled “raising boys”I am  also keen to improve the school conditios to allow boys to feel that school is an important place to learn. Our ACtive ACE Friday seems to tick many boxes for boys especially if you read this list from Simon Herd at  St Phillips Christian College in Post Stephens Australia.

 Coalface Tips.Movement.As identified in Lilico (1999), boys need to move in order to verbalise ones thoughts and feelings. Further, Nagel (2005), notes that “planning for and accommodating movement can not only stimulate both male and female brains but could also be used to manage and relieve the impulsive fidgety behaviour of boys.” Competition.Competition is of significance to boys in all aspects of life, especially within the classroom. Thus, it is important for staff to develop and harness this into an intrinsic motivation tool. This can be achieved through establishing Personal Best efforts in classroom activities.  Collaborative Assessment.Team skills-The development of boys social skills is of importance to their long term success both at school and beyond the school in community life. It is important that boys be exposed to Group Based Assessment Tasks in which clear guidelines and Assessment Rubrics are provided to allow the boys direction and structure in collaborative tasks that require both academic and social development. Mentoring.Male Role Models- Fletcher (2000), recommends that schools look at engaging father figures to support staff. The development of male role models throughout the school provides opportunity for boys to engage in mentoring with men as they journey to develop. The value of male role models and mentors is highlighted by the fact that;“The strongest influence on reading will come from males with whom they have relationships, the older boys, uncles, dads” (Leadership on the ground p33).Brainstorm ideas to assist in your classroom. Seating Plan.Consider locating boys towards the front to aid their hearing.Consider a biological rationale for seating in a room. Girls darker areas boys in bright light. Communication.We are trained to listen to words more than watching silent cues,Making communication with males more difficult. Structure and organise information for boys.Dr Le Page 2000, outlines what he calls the “Blah, Blah Effect”Teacher in a conventional teaching method talking at kids!Boys have a biological hearing deficit which is compoundedBy boys use of loud personal music devices! Good teaching technique for Boys equates to;Presenting information at a slower paceGreater patienceImproved listening conditionsTeaching Listening SkillsUse a number of Learning stylesBoys need to make academic selections based on interestRather than for perceived vocational dividends.Rich extra curricular environment, not just sport!Productive Pedagogies- recognise the difference amongst and Between girls and boys.Personal Organisation is a skill that cannot be left to chance.It MUST be taught!Engage the peer group rather than the individual.Careful modelling of high-quality products.Clear and explicit steps for task completion.Close monitoring of individual performance, and intervention where it is warranted.Encouraging confidence in ‘trial and error’ learning.Incorporation, and possibly even weighting, of a variety of assessment strategies.

This article and many others come from a fantastic website from the University of Newcastle in NSW.