Teaching Boys Who Struggle in School: Strategies That Turn Underachievers into Successful Learners

by Kathleen Palmer Cleveland

Teaching Boys Who Struggle in Strategies That Turn Underachievers into Successful Learners responds to growing concerns about a crisis in boys' academic achievement. Kathleen Palmer Cleveland seeks to help K-12 educators cut through the hype to get at the real who is underachieving, why are they struggling, and how can educators respond to these students' needs in new and productive ways? Cleveland presents findings from four large-scale studies about how boys learn best and combines these findings with insights about ongoing social and learning-style factors that affect learning in the classroom, plus lesson plans and anecdotes from real teachers working across all grade levels and subject areas. Cleveland's Pathways to Re-Engagement represents the culmination of her substantial research and personal experience. A flexible and practical framework for decision making in the classroom, the Pathways model seeks to
* Replace the underachieving boy's negative attitudes about learning;

* Reconnect each boy with school, with learning, and with a belief in himself as a competent learner;

* Rebuild learning skills that lead to success in school and in life; and

* Reduce the need for unproductive and distracting behaviors as a means of self-protection.
Each aspect of the Pathways to Re-Engagement model offers educators a way to move underachieving boys from a position of weakness toward one of strength--giving them the tools to succeed in school and beyond.

Genres: Education, Professional Development, Collections, Teaching

233 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2010

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. Full of ideas and insight. I will be able to use some of these ideas tomorrow, if I want.

I was really intrigued by the comparing of the learning styles (Myers/Briggs) to the general population and at-risk population. Evidently, the at-risk population tends to be more SF - Interpersonal and those who succeed in school tend to be NT (Thinker/knowers) and ST (Practical-doers). So, our schools appear to be reaching a certain type of learner, not all learners.

4 ways to uncover solutions for addressing the problem of underachievement among boys
1. Replace his negative attitudes about learning with productive perspectives about the role of risk as a ncessary and valued part of the learning process

2. Reconnect him with school , with learning, and with a belief in himself as a competent learner who is capable, valued and respected.

3. Rebuild life skills and learning skills that lead to academic success and also lay the groundwork for success in life.

4. Reduce his need ot use unproductive and distracting behaviors as a means of self protection.

Basic Requests for Communicating:
1. Give me a way out.
2. Help me know my strengths.
3. Help me relax into learning.
4. Help me "save face"
5. Inspire me.
6. Keep it private.
7. Let me know I matter,
8. Make it real.
9. Notice when I try.
10. Speak to me with respect.

Be crystal clear with directions:
few words, familiar words, number steps

Provide effective directions in sequence page 120

Provide informational feedback (not judgmental feedback). page 122 - This is most important for stuggling boy learners

Affirming statements for stuggling boys page 132-133
acknowledge effort
affirm growth
clarify positive self-impact
describe the act
empathize
identify positive consequences
notice a skill
show gratitude
notice something personal
point out positive social impact
reframe behavior with positive spin
reinforce self determination
show interest

This book has so many great ideas. I just can't even list it all!

[Susan Okeefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read book that offers practical classroom strategies to help underachieving boys be more successful in school.Nothing really new however but reminds us teachers how important it is to teach in a variety of ways to meet the needs of all learning styles

[ECKane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has good ideas for all kinds of learners, not just boys. The information is useful for everyday applications, but a bit oversimplified at times.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to put on the list of must-reads for first-year teachers. Although the focus is on boys, the ideas in the book will help any learner. There is a surprising amount of different content covered. I found a lot of the ideas to be more of reminders for me than anything new since many of these things I have learned on the job, but less-experienced teachers will want to read this carefully as they think about setting up their instruction for the year.

[Rhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 starts. I found parts of this book interesting and did glean a couple new strategies I will try in my classroom, but overall it mirrored many other "teacher" books I've read. It talked about the usuals-how important teacher/student relationships are, building a safe learning space, incorporating different learning modalities. I hadn't thought about struggling boys as mostly a specific personality type so that was a new angle for me to consider.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a good mix of theory and practice, with the practice explicitly tied to the theories. I liked the framing of the issues and solutions. It was easy to read and had some new strategies I'm eager to try in my classroom.

[I Contain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes some exceptional points about the current culture and the way it effects boys/their learning. It offers some intriguing techniques for boys with different learning styles.

[Sarah Ross-Koves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best educator book I've ever read, but I really enjoyed the literacy chapter.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great, quick read. Went deep into classroom strategies that support boys. Some outdated research as many books have, still relevant and needed to be heard in 2020.