tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post984107466070284023..comments2024-03-05T20:00:47.681-06:00Comments on Blogging 'Bout Boys: Why Won't Boys Read?Jennifer Finkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10568576650343979230noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post-13298728464157936332009-08-15T10:35:48.070-05:002009-08-15T10:35:48.070-05:00Parents and teachers should play a board game call...Parents and teachers should play a board game called Er-u-di-tion that incorporates both sight words and phonics. <br /><br />This award winning game helps children learn to read, spell and understand the most common words in the English language while playing an entertaining board game.<br /> <br />Cards are categorized so children of all reading levels can play together!Denise Bossardhttp://www.sightwordsgame.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post-78672550376950649962009-08-12T15:43:47.159-05:002009-08-12T15:43:47.159-05:00I didn't become an avid reader until I was abo...I didn't become an avid reader until I was about 30. Not surprisingly, I read non-fiction almost exclusively. And I'm a girl. :-)wrongshoeshttp://wrongshoes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post-27313781429331762942009-08-11T15:59:32.646-05:002009-08-11T15:59:32.646-05:00Nervous Girl,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I agre...Nervous Girl,<br />Thanks for visiting my blog. I agree with you, about pressure. I'd much rather have reading be a joyous experience and let each child approach it at his own pace. The minute the enjoyment goes out of it, so too does their desire to read.Jennifer Finkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10568576650343979230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post-69224027654842604942009-08-11T13:43:20.455-05:002009-08-11T13:43:20.455-05:00My five-year-old is not indepedently reading, but ...My five-year-old is not indepedently reading, but he loves being read to and asks me and my husband to read to him all the time. He asks how words are spelled and can read several sight words when prompted. Because we homeschool him, there is no pressure for him read independently by a certain age. I think this type of pressure can dampen a child's enthusiam for reading.Nervous Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17271269229663014364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post-75923733623531356782009-08-09T16:40:52.614-05:002009-08-09T16:40:52.614-05:00Thanks, Nate. I agree that finding books that hoo...Thanks, Nate. I agree that finding books that hook you (or your sons) is absolutely key. Which reminds me...we started reading The Hobbit out loud a year or so ago, and then abandoned it. Time to pick that one up again!Jennifer Finkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10568576650343979230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post-53312331306486247392009-08-09T14:45:01.412-05:002009-08-09T14:45:01.412-05:00Actually, I was an early reader as I said. I remem...Actually, I was an early reader as I said. I remember zooming through the reading program we had. After that, I just lost interest for awhile.<br /><br />Around 5th grade our teacher, Mrs. Mester, had us read, "The Hobbit". I think that kicked off a streak of reading that lasted awhile. Then I lost interest in reading again.<br /><br />I picked up again around 8th or 9th grade. My sister was always reading and I started with Stephen King books and Clive Barker, etc.<br /><br />It's really been an on and off thing for me all my life. Now, I'm lucky if I get time to really sit and read a book.<br /><br />My daughter, Natalie, was absolutly voracious in her reading last school year. She hasn't picked up a book at all this summer. <br /><br />I think finding an author or subject matter that really grabs you plays a large part as well.NateLShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09045782044096060389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post-25848450131350722032009-08-09T12:01:16.003-05:002009-08-09T12:01:16.003-05:00Great comments!
Nate, I'm laughing at your st...Great comments!<br /><br />Nate, I'm laughing at your story. Think of all the boring tests given in school to test reading comprehension and vocabulary -- and your son demonstrated that he's doing just fine out on the playground!<br /><br />Question: you said you didn't become an avid reader until you were a teen, and I've heard other boys/men say that as well. How does that work? I was always an avid reader, so I can't imagine going from being not interested to taking to it in my teens.Jennifer Finkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10568576650343979230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post-65446689216549519902009-08-08T21:58:53.267-05:002009-08-08T21:58:53.267-05:00A couple points:
My boys don't read all that ...A couple points:<br /><br />My boys don't read all that much. But they always score in the upper percentiles in aptitude testing.<br /><br />Next: My son, Adam, got in trouble at school with a playground monitor. In the principal's office he said the playground monitor was a "misanthrope". When asked by the principal if he knew what that word meant, he provided the correct definition. The principal was impressed (while suppressing it because she was trying to discipline him.)<br /><br />Adam learned the word, "misanthrope", from a "Captian Underpants" book. The Captain Underpants books used teacher names like, Miss Anthrope, and Mister Meaner, etc.<br /><br />The point, if there is one, is that I agree with Shara. Let the boys read what they want, what interests them. At least they are reading.<br /><br />I don't think that anyone is necessarily "to blame" for boys' poor reading skills. But I do think the parents are ultimately responsible for fostering a love of reading in their children.<br /><br />I am an avid reader as is my wife. I was an early reader and I scored high in reading aptitude at a young age. But I did not become an avid reader until I was a teen.NateLShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09045782044096060389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1473387128642021993.post-35833011153144874172009-08-07T17:50:54.316-05:002009-08-07T17:50:54.316-05:00You left a comment on my Mommy Perks VIP Blog so I...You left a comment on my Mommy Perks VIP Blog so I popped over here and low and behold I see this post :-) I JUST posted the other day about this on my PCS fan page. I have a background in education, nanny work, special needs and...reading/literacy/freelance. I often tell people not to limit what boys read. If they want to read about boogers or worms or pirates or 'save the world' stories - LET THEM. Make it fun and make it personalized and chances are, they will be more inclined to enjoy books and stories. If you make them choose from a list that caters to girls (or even to the 'norm' for that matter), they will resent reading. <br /><br />Take your boys to the library (if possible) and allow them to select what they WANT to read. Make it fun for them and give them some of the control and power over what they select. It really does help!SharaPCShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07271836135761534383noreply@blogger.com