Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices

By Ralph Fletcher

Book Overview

Writing test scores indicate that boys have fallen far behind girls across the grades. In general, boys don't enjoy writing as much as girls. What's wrong? How can we do a better of job of creating boy-friendly classrooms so their voices can be heard? In Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices Ralph Fletcher draws upon his years of experience as staff developer, children's book author, and father of four boys. He also taps the insights from dozens of writing teachers around the US and abroad. Boy Writers asks teachers to imagine the writing classroom from a boy's perspective, and consider specific steps we might take to create stimulating classrooms for boys. Topic choice emerges as a crucial issue. The subjects many boys like to write about (war, weapons, outlandish fiction, zany or bathroom humor) often do not get a warm reception from teachers. Fletcher argues that we must widen the circle and give boys more choice if we want to engage them as writers. How? We must begin by recognizing boys and the world in which they live. Boy Writers explores important questions such as:

What subjects are boy writers passionate about, and what motivates them as writers? Why do boys like to incorporate violence into their stories, and how much should be allowed? Why do we so often misread and misunderstand the humor boys include in their stories?

In addition, the book looks at: how handwriting can hamstring boy writers, and how drawing may help; welcoming boy-friendly writing genres in our classrooms; ways to improve our conferring with boys; and more. Each chapter begins with a thorough discussion of a topic and ends with a highly practical section titled: "What can I do in my classroom?" Boy Writers does not advocate promoting the interests of boys at the expense of girls. Rather, it argues that developing sensitivity to the unique facets of boy writers will help teachers better address the needs of all their students.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571104259
• ISBN13: 9781571104250
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Must Read

All teachers should read this book. Repeat: All teachers should read this book. I am a mom of boys and a 4th grade teacher who tries really, really hard to run an equitable classroom. I love stinky, naughty, squirrely, squirmy boys. After reading Fletcher's book I will be changing some of my practices. I knew there was an "issue" among boy writers, but didn't get it until my 1st grader brought home a terrible piece of writing about stuffed animals. I was crabbing at him when he said, "But I thought it was supposed to be about tea parties and dress up, and I don't do that mom!" That hit me like a ton of bricks. He has a fabulous, fabulous teacher and I know that she never expressed that sentiment. After discussing how he could have written about playing army or knights with his stuffed animals, I picked this little gem up. Let me repeat it one more time: All teachers should read this book!!!

Must Read for Educators

In Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices, Fletcher set out to investigate why many boys are disengaged when it comes to writing and most importantly, what we can do, as educators, to engage boy writers. Fletcher obtained information about boy writers by interviewing and surveying boys of all ages, observing boys in writers' workshop, and interviewing and surveying approximately 100 teachers around the country. After compiling the data, Fletcher devised a list of common characteristics that boy writers posses. Then, Fletcher investigated when boys are engaged in writing (e.g. instant messaging, blogging, etc.) and determined how we could apply some of the same principles to writing in school (e.g. self-directed topic selection, content valued over mechanics, comfortable environment, etc.). Throughout the book, Fletcher included numerous suggestions for engaging boy writers. He even addressed issues of handwriting, humor, and violence. As a fourth grade teacher and graduate student, I highly recommend this book. Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices is "an easy read," includes humor, and contains pertinent, practical information for teachers to help reach boy writers. Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices has the power to transform writing instruction and allow boy writers to reclaim their voices!

Boy Writers

GREAT BOOK!! Especially for teachers. It really helps us women get into the heads of the boys and truly get them interested in writing. This book will help me greatly in my future teaching experiences and helping boys become more successful in writing.

Must read for parents and educators

Why 5 Stars for Boy Writers? - Ralph Fletcher saw the urgency to address the unique needs of boys - The book fulfills its mission to help parents and educators better understand the unique circumstances that apply to many boys. - The chapters are SHORT and TARGET specific issues, supported by real-life writing samples, and conclude with a "What Can I Do In My Classroom?" quick-to-implement suggestions. - Writing samples with comments from the author tap into a fountain of ideas. - Fletchers qualifications (experience, expertise) are impressive, he is PERCEPTIVE and draws on a rich history working with young writers. - This book leaves you with greater compassion for your son/student's writing struggles. The appearance of laziness/boredom does not equate to indifference with respect to being heard. - Humorous anecdotes make the total package an enjoyable read! While 'Boy Writers' does NOT provide all the answers to my questions in how to motivate my son to write (can anyone?), it certainly illuminates the path to guiding the budding writer - with wisdom and compassion - to make his voice heard. I'm planning to order 5 more copies to give away to friends and teachers! I would also suggest reading "Why Gender Matters" by Leonard Sax to review some of the research (most with a sound scientific basis) and solutions on how to develop a greater appreciation/understanding for the strengths as well as the developmental challenges of both genders.

A must-read and I don't say that lightly.

This book fearlessly states what every honest writing teacher knows and should be a must-read for every Language Arts supervisor, certainly for every writing teacher.