Six Point Action Plan

What schools can do to re-engage boys back into the Learning Process

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DisciplineSome principles of disciplining boys are:

allow boys to participate in the construction of rules so that they understand why certain rules are necessary

allow boys to make suggestions as to how the rules might be enforced

ensure that ALL boys know what the rules are and what the consequences are of breaking them

discipline should be consistent but compassionate. There is a fine line, but sometimes zero tolerance is not the best policy. Boys have a strong sense of justice and respond badly to being treated unfairly

avoid public confrontations and never humiliate boys in front of their peers. This will lead to point scoring.

in the classroom, one of the most basic factors governing attention to task is teacher proximity. Arrange classrooms so as to minimise the distance between teacher and students as they move around the classroom

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Rewards and Encouragement

The other side of discipline is rewards and encouragement

allow boys to participate in deciding what rewards will be motivating for them

be consistent with rewards and praise, but not to the point where they become devalued

recognise good and improved behaviour publicly. Make sure that boys are not singled out for sporting achievement alone

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PedagogyThere are a number of simple strategies underpinned by solid research that can make boys’ experience in the classroom more positive and make teaching easier.

highly structured lessons with short term tasks, gradually extended, and frequent changes of activities

active learning

clear objectives and explicit instructions

high expectations tempered with an appropriate level of challenge

regular and constructive feedback

greater emphasis on teacher-directed work and lesser focus on group work

competition

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Reading and LiteracyIt is crucial to focus on literacy in the early years of schooling. Issues that need consideration by both school leaders and the classroom teacher are:

good monitoring systems and early intervention

spelling, grammar and phonics

talk things through before writing

introduce boys to literature by reading to them

make sure the school library has books boys want to read, and a catalogue system that allows them to locate them easily

make sure that the school has an EXPLICIT and SUCCINCT Teaching Learning Program for ALL aspect of the Reading and Literacy Program

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Men in Schools

There are ways that ALL schools might ameliorate the effects of decline numbers of males in the teaching ranks:

male role and mentoring programs

involving fathers

parent-teacher partnerships

Talking about masculinity

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School Structures and Classroom Composition

Each school will look at and attack the re-engagement of boys in the way that will best meet their particular needs. However there are a few things that can be considered by the school administrators:

single sex classes

focus on middle schooling

homework

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The Final word ...

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We could try to change boys to suit schools, or we could try to change schools to

suit boys. Neither is an easy task to undertake! And, instead we, as schools and

society tend to attempt a meeting of both somewhere in the middle.

Changing boys does not mean making them more like girls. It means

recognising that boys must take some responsibility for the decisions they make.

They are not passive victims and, if given the right incentives and encouragement,

can affect change themselves. Making changes have taken place in education and

that these changes have not always been in boys’ interests. It means determining

whether these changes are justified. Finally, it means tacking ACTION. We can

another decade or more discussing the advantages and disadvantages or we can

tackle the bull by the horns and start to make a difference for boys ... To me the

choice is easy ....

Boys today inhabit a different world, both in school

and out of school. They have rules and moral

guidelines. They often find school life frustrating

and alienating. This mismatch between boys and

school gives us only a couple of alternatives.

Hands working together will bring about the desired re-engagement.

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