Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males: Closing the Achievement Gap by Tatum, Alfred W. unknown edition [Paperback(2005)]

by Unknown Author

For those who truly wish to leave no child behind, the racial achievement gap in literacy is one of the most difficult issues in education today, and nowhere does it manifest itself more perniciously than in the case of black adolescent males. Approaching the problem from the inside, Alfred Tatum brings together his various experiences as a black male student, middle school teacher working with struggling black male readers, reading specialist in an urban elementary school, and staff developer in classrooms across the nation. His new book, Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males offers teachers and schools a way to reconceptualize literacy instruction for those who need it most. Alfred bridges the connections among theory, instruction, and professional development to create a roadmap for better literacy achievement. He presents practical suggestions for providing reading strategy instruction and assessment that is explicit, meaningful, and culturally responsive, as well as guidelines for selecting and discussing nonfiction and fiction texts with black males. The author's first-hand insights provide middle school and high school teachers, reading specialists, and administrators with new perspectives to help schools move collectively toward the essential goal of literacy achievement for all.

Genres: Education, African American, Nonfiction, Professional Development, School, Teaching

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

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Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was STAAR testing day and I was bored. I was tired of having an empty mind as I circled the classroom endlessly, seeking any kind of stimulation--an illicit glance from one student to another, a chance to offer kleenex to a sniffling, sneezing student, the glow of an illegal cell phone. After 50 minutes, my relief arrived and I was allowed to leave the classroom.

In the teachers' workroom, I looked over the professional library and came across Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males: Closing the Achievement Gap. I work with struggling readers, of which a surprising few are African-American, so I wondered how African-American struggling readers would be any different from Hispanic or Asian or white struggling readers. In summary, they aren't. They need decoding skills and vocabulary development that all struggling readers need.

However... African American students are less likely to be an active participant in the American educational system and this book offers some theories why. The author offers solutions he implemented in his own classrooms in Chicago and DC to draw African American students into the classroom.

Some of his offerings, I can't use in my suburban, middle class, middle school classroom. Others, though, I can. And those are the ones I treasure. In all honesty, there are quite a few which I feel work well with struggling readers and on-grade-level readers.

I like the book. I'll probably buy my own copy, if only for the graphics and reading lists. Much of the book is anecdotal but I can relate. The book is well-researched and I think gives a good foundation to work with struggling readers as a whole and African Americans as a sub-population.

[angrykitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have been able to hear tatum speak a couple of times, but until now, i haven't had a chance to read his book....

unfortunately, at this point in my career, nothing i read in this book was new or groundbreaking. it has a lot of good things to know and to add to your practice, but i think that it's main message kind of gets lost in the concrete classroom application pieces. in the end, it's imperative for teachers to take the time to know their students. bottom line. without that knowledge, you can't truly be as effective as you should/could be....and unfortunately that goes double, triple, etc. for minority students.

[Tiffany Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any teacher that is serious about closing the achievement gap should read this book. Although many of the lessons and strategies proposed by Tatum are familiar to many teachers, he sheds light on how to use them to help African American males achieve academic success. Anyone who reads this book and states that it does not provide insightful information, should rethink how they feel about the progress of their African American male students. There is a definite problem in the equity of education in America and Tatum is offering us a solution.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as part of a yearlong Literacy Leadership Professional Development I'm completing in my school district. It was definitely an eye-opener. I love the style of the book, how Tatum began with his personal experiences as a black adolescent male before moving into practical advice and techniques that all teachers can utilize. Love!

[Heather Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is completely changing the way I look at the behaviour of the boys in my classes, and hopefully how I will teach them in the coming semester.

[JTGlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this one is overdue for an update. I did appreciate the suggested readings. Overall, ..."The reading strategies are the same for all students; how students are taught and in what contexts are what make a difference" (149). Not new advice at all.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Outdated in some places and more focused on theory than on practical application, but the theory was good.

[Eilene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, but more to the point, important information from a person who knows wherefrom he speaks.

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Simple suggestions to help all students with literacy. Culturally responsive approach works wonders!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfred Tatum knows reading, and he knows African American boys. I'm very happy that I read this book. Dr. Tatum focuses on a number of topics to improve the instruction of reading for African American male adolescents. There's nothing earth-shattering in here, and Dr. Tatum doesn't make us think otherwise. He emphasizes that teachers need to be purposeful in meeting the needs of African American boys, finding texts with meaning and purpose, and working on the nitty-gritty of reading, including decoding and fluency. His focus on accuracy in reading aloud -- which some may think is antiquated -- got my attention. I believe Dr. Tatum when he says that fluency leads to confidence, which leads to comprehension and analysis.

By no means is this book excellent al the way through, but the parts that are solid were extremely helpful. I also appreciated the end of the book, where Dr. Tatum challenges teachers to be researchers themselves. Inquiry, when it's combined with consistent caring, is what is necessary in order to teach reading to African American boys.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in my journey to work with high school teachers- and to discover what I don't know about the opportunity and challenge of being able to be part of creating a whole new paradigm for an incredibly undervalued and misunderstood,as well as often highly at risk community.
I am now more present than ever that there is a world of perspective I've never been part of- and have had no idea existed.
Very valuable- and not just for teachers.

[Jonathan Brammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring read and gives many examples to illustrate that teachers need to make texts accessible to all of their students. Too often the books and instructional strategies we choose lack relevance to students raised in the urban environment.

[Letitia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cant wait til next book comes out this summer. I really think all teachers of African American students should read this book. I was also aware that the author takes Jawanza Kunjufu's theories from the 80s and uses his knowledge and research to write a current and practical book for us today.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for professionals. I didn't think the entire book was focused on the cultural aspect, but there are many good points about taking cultural background into consideration when teaching reading. The book has many good teaching points, even if it is review at times.

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a book with practical solutions to bridging the achievement gap. I had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Tatum speak. He offers realistic solutions to the issue of the AA achievement gap.

[Laura]

AMAZING!!! Helpful tools to reach our young men.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book was very informative I was craving more sample units/plans that I could apply/tweak. Great theories and case studies to learn from.

[Kendall Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for middle school teachers. Text selection is key and students need choice and voice in the classroom.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about improving literacy. It had some great assessment maps.