This is a great book for teachers and parents searching for answers regarding their young boys. I have done much study on this subject, including my own classroom work with boys. I hope you don't mind me including a blog I wrote on this subject. I discovered something very interesting about boys and learning to read. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/boys-b...
Get this book and study it. It will help you understand your beautiful boys.
Some helpful nuggets about the role testosterone plays in boys' brain development, but the second half of the book was a willy-nilly how-to guide with vague ideas about how to help boys learn. Maybe I was just expecting more science and less pop-science.
I love this book. It has great information about what boys need to succeed in school and talks about learning difference between girls and boys. I found the information on television and its negative impact on brain development in boys to be interesting and it helped me make a case to reduce screen time in our home. Comprehensive with a nice balance between anecdote and fact.
I have taught in the public and/or the private school for more than thirty years. This book relates in book form much of what I have observed over the years. When I started in the education field the goal was to change the trend of male domination. It worked as stated in the book and much of what is put forth in the text of this book is accurate in my opinion. I was amazed at how accurately the authors were in describing the last several decades in the schools. Now we to do exactly the same thing for boys as we keep on helping girls. I found myself many times feeling deja vu, because what was being described in the chapters of this book was so similiar to what I have expeirenced over my career. I also attended the Gurian Summer Institute and have practiced much of what I learned there in 2013. I have to say it has inhanced my classroom practice considerably. I can say without a doubt, this book will help both teachers and parents. It absolutely has my indorsement and belief that they are on the right tract. Again, my experience as a teacher has done nothing but confirm pretty much everything they say in this book. In short my thirty years of teaching and observation support the main points of this book. I highly recommend it.
Another book in my quest to understand my kids better. Has some interesting tips... For example... to get C to do a little exercise to get his blood pumping before sitting down to do homework. It does seem to help him focus a bit better.
There were interesting things to consider... I do wonder how outdated the research/information is. I am curious to read more current texts on this topic.
I was required to read this as a part of my school's professional development. The book also had videos that went along with the chapters, which explained the research and statistics nicely. Throughout the book I found myself agreeing with everything Gurian and Stevens said. Being a teacher in the ever changing education world has shown many challenges dealing with male students. The book suggests going back to somewhat older ways of education, less drill and kill and more incorporation of nature, play, movement, music, and project-based learning. The book also suggests allowing for more recess time. I whole heartily agree with this! My students, especially the boys, need outdoor play time. If I give them extra opportunities to get outside and just play they learn and listen a lot better than if I drill and kill curriculum all day. Acts of violence and aggression appear far less when more recess occurs. Something must change within the education system and fast. To past educators I'm sure this concept isn't rocket science!