To Be a Boy,To Be a Boy,To Be a Reader:To Be a Reader:

Engaging Teen and Preteen Boys in Engaging Teen and Preteen Boys in Active LiteracyActive Literacy

Dr. William G. BrozoDr. William G. Brozo

Dude, why bother?Dude, why bother?

You can’t ignore the You can’t ignore the STATISTICSSTATISTICS

Dominate remedial reading classesDominate remedial reading classes Largest group of dropouts, Largest group of dropouts,

delinquentsdelinquents Receive lowest reading and Receive lowest reading and

vocabulary scoresvocabulary scores

((Precursors to unemployment, life as a Precursors to unemployment, life as a criminalcriminal))

You can’t ignore what is You can’t ignore what is right in right in FRONT FRONT of youof you

Boys don’t like to readBoys don’t like to read Boys choose not to readBoys choose not to read

Boys suffer academically Boys suffer academically

Life Life just gets in the wayjust gets in the way

SocializingSocializing TechnologyTechnology SportsSports ClubsClubs JobsJobs Baby-sittingBaby-sitting

Now do you care?Now do you care?

Dr. Brozo’s diagnosisDr. Brozo’s diagnosisUse:Use: Novels, Short stories (engaging, relatable)Novels, Short stories (engaging, relatable) Informational books (EyeWitness)Informational books (EyeWitness) Non-fiction books (biographies)Non-fiction books (biographies)

To talk about and discover:To talk about and discover: Positive male archetypesPositive male archetypes

1.1. Counteract media & neighborhood Counteract media & neighborhood stereotypesstereotypes

2.2. Positive sense of masculinity & male identityPositive sense of masculinity & male identity

TENTEN PositivePositive Male Male ArchetypesArchetypes

PilgrimPilgrim

PatriarchPatriarch KingKing WarriorWarrior MagicianMagician

WildmanWildman HealerHealer ProphetProphet TricksterTrickster LoverLover

“In order for a male to become a true man, he must rediscover his spiritual, inner self.” --Carl Jung (Brozo, 24)

Patrick Arnold’s Wildmen ,warriors, and kings: Masculine spirituality and the Bible. (1995)

PatriarchPatriarch

Responsible, generous, graciousResponsible, generous, gracious Family protector, model parentFamily protector, model parent Father-figureFather-figure CounselorCounselor Community helperCommunity helper Antithesis of media’s “parent Antithesis of media’s “parent

bashing”bashing”

PatriarchPatriarch

WarriorWarrior

““Warrior Ethos”Warrior Ethos” LDRSHIP = Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Self-LDRSHIP = Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Self-

Sacrifice, Honesty, Integrity, Personal Sacrifice, Honesty, Integrity, Personal CourageCourage

““Intestinal fortitude” Intestinal fortitude” do what is right do what is right Strategic planner Strategic planner Responsible for actionsResponsible for actions Antithesis of media’s violent killers, gang Antithesis of media’s violent killers, gang

members, “shoot ‘em up” moviesmembers, “shoot ‘em up” movies

WarriorWarrior

TricksterTrickster

Funny, wittyFunny, witty ComedianComedian Class clownClass clown Lightens the moodLightens the mood Brings Brings humility humility to a situationto a situation Makes those who are pompous seem Makes those who are pompous seem

humanhuman

TricksterTrickster

LoverLover

Giving, caring, intimateGiving, caring, intimate Love = food for the soulLove = food for the soul Connects peopleConnects people Sympathy, empathySympathy, empathy Like Trickster, brings out Like Trickster, brings out humility humility in in

situationssituations Brings out Brings out human human qualities in peoplequalities in people

LoverLover

The Take-AwayThe Take-Away

BoysBoys NEED NEED to become to become readers!readers!

Capture boys’ imaginations and Capture boys’ imaginations and interestsinterests

Knowledge Knowledge isis Power Power Reading improves academics, Reading improves academics,

mental healthmental health

Give Boys an Give Boys an IDENTITYIDENTITY

Help find their “sense of self”Help find their “sense of self” Positive role models lead to…Positive role models lead to…

psychological and sociologicalpsychological and sociological

confidence and stabilityconfidence and stability

Give Boys an Give Boys an ALTERNATIVEALTERNATIVE

Divergent thinkingDivergent thinking Counterbalance messages from Counterbalance messages from

mediamedia Undo societal stereotypesUndo societal stereotypes

SynopsisSynopsis

Principles

Don’t leave out the girls. Find any “entry point.” Give boys choice and control. Book talk to Guy Rack. Don’t play doctor. Invite male readers into the

classroom

Book ReviewBook Review

Space Station Seventh Space Station Seventh GradeGrade

By Jerry SpinelliBy Jerry Spinelli

Talking PointsTalking Points

Humor: story of Humor: story of middle school middle school student’s seventh student’s seventh grade experiencegrade experience

RecommendationsRecommendations Mature/Serious Mature/Serious

ideas and themesideas and themes

Space Station Seventh Space Station Seventh GradeGrade

vs.vs.Diary of a Wimpy KidDiary of a Wimpy Kid

Jerry Spinelli’s Thoughts Jerry Spinelli’s Thoughts on on Space Station Seventh Space Station Seventh

GradeGrade Initial intentionsInitial intentions Observation and Observation and

memory from his own memory from his own experiencesexperiences

Inspired scenesInspired scenes Thoughts on teaching Thoughts on teaching

SSSGSSSG in a classroom in a classroom

Kettel, R. (1994). An Interview with jerry spinelli: thoughts on teaching writing in the classroom. The

English Journal, 83(5), 61-64.Murphy, S. (1991). Review: books for adolescents. Journal of Reading, 35(4), 342-345.

Book ReviewThe saying, “It’s funny because it’s true,” is perfectly applicable

when discussing Space Station Seventh Grade by Jerry Spinelli.In Spinelli’s debut novel, readers get to experience seventh grade

all over again from the perspective of Jason – your typical late-blooming adolescent just trying to survive the social and academic struggles that every 13 year-old goes through. Throughout the story, readers get to enjoy hearing about Jason’s family, which includes his “cootyhead” sister, Mary, and his eccentric father, who wants nothing more than to be Jewish. And, when not dealing with his family, Jason is thinking about the cheerleader, Debbie, who he likes, or bagging groceries with his best friend Richie to earn a couple of extra dollars.

Though written more than 20 years earlier, Space Station Seventh Grade is an analogous text to Diary of a Wimpy Kid (sans the cartoons) by Jeff Kinney. Both stories take on the challenge of re-creating the middle school experience from the perspective of male adolescent whose character fits perfectly in line with that of a seventh grade boy going through puberty.

For the average high school male student, the book is an easy read – only 232 pages and divided into several 5 to 10 page diary-like entries. The average high school male student will likely breeze through the book cracking a smile the whole time, reminiscing about his own embarrassing moments in the boys locker room the first time he had to change after P.E. or going to his first dance.

(con’t next page)

Book Review (con’t)Unlike, Diary of Wimpy Kid, however, Space Station

Seventh Grade would probably also appeal to more mature readers as well. It seems to incorporate some more serious elements and themes. Jason’s friend Peter’s younger brother, Kippy, is killed in a car accident. Jason discovers the feeling of fear and discomfort of being at a funeral. In addition to the serious idea of death, Spinelli also explores the more mature theme of individualism through Marceline McAllister and her unwillingness to conform to the other middle school girls. Spinelli writes, “…She didn’t exactly kill herself trying to look beautiful. Same hair. Same no-makeup.”

Appropriate for middle school to high school students, the book has a few choice words (e.g. “faggot-face”) and lewd references that may make it slightly inappropriate for elementary school children. Nonetheless, Space Station Seventh Grade should certainly be recommended to middle and high school boys who do not take to reading naturally. The book should elicit feelings of nostalgia in these readers and could encourage them to read other Spinelli books.

Culminating Project Idea – Let’s Make a CD!

Students will create a CD on one character from Space Station Seventh Grade.

Students will select eight songs that represent aspects of that character. Each song must connect to a chosen archetype. Each student will design a CD cover. Students will provide a one-paragraph rationale for each song within the

jacket of the CD.

Why a CD for a Culminating Project?

Students demonstrate an understanding of themes in the literary text by connecting them to themes in musical ones.

- In this case, positive male archetypes This project encourages students to use

literature as a catalyst for critical exploration of masculinity.

- Dispels myths of masculinity from pop culture

Students connect themes in the literature to interests in their own lives; therefore, the critical exploration of the text is relevant to their lives.

(Brozo, 2002)

Let’s Give it a Shot! Character – Jason Herkimer - Thirteen-year-old main character. - Doesn’t want to grow up. - Faces girls for the first time –

Debbie and Marceline – and all the emotions that come with them!

- Wants to play baseball but ends up doing track.

- Constructs his own “Space Station.” - In search of love, meaning and

identity. - In his search, he experiences

confusion, disappointment, sadness, fear, and finally, growth.

Chosen Archetype – Pilgrim - A Pilgrim is a searcher and

wanderer. - Must give up the comforts of

familiarity, because only through detachment from that which impedes his progress can he find his way to higher forms of selfhood.

- Experiences meaningful and vibrant interaction with others who can keep them in touch with the wanderer within (Marceline).

(Brozo, 2002)

What Are Some Tracks? Love Stinks – J. Geils Band Sample Rationale - Jason’s first experience of love centers

on cheerleader Debbie Green. Jason feels that he must act like your stereotypical masculine love-seeker. He slays a dragon balloon in hopes of impressing Debbie, and he dreams of being the stud football player she will cheer for and admire. In the end, Jason experiences disappointment and rejection with Debbie. For Jason, his first encounter with girls points to one thing: Love Stinks!

Another Track… Lean on Me – Bill Withers Rationale Sample - - In the end, Jason finds an unlikely but genuine attachment to

Marceline. She pushes him, challenges him, and points out his faults so that he has to face them. He displays genuine concern over her well-being when adhering to her wound (he sucks out poison from barbwire so she doesn’t get lockjaw). He realizes that he does not have to act like a typical “macho” male, as Marceline gives him a ride home on his bicycle. Though in the end during their bike ride home Spinelli hints at a romantic relationship, the story ends with them establishing a true friendship. Marceline, then, helps bring out the wanderer within Jason.

Full List of Tracks

Summer’s Almost Gone – The Doors Love Stinks – J. Geils Band Beggin’ – Franie Valli and the Four Seasons Macho Man – Village People Beat It – Michael Jackson It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday –

Boyz II Men All Things Must Pass – George Harrison Lean on Me – Bill Withers

Cover Art Ideas

A treasure map with an X marking “identity” Scattered puzzle pieces of Jason Jason with a pilgrim hat and/or heart t-shirt Jason’s name upside down Jason’s adolescent issues coming out of his

head

References

Brozo, William G. (2002). To be a boy, to be a reader: Engaging teen and preteen boys in active literacy. The International Reading Association.

Spinelli, J. (1982). Space station seventh grade. New York: Little, Brown and Company.