Michael W. Smith (2) (1954–)

The authors conducted a study of boys and reading, focusing on a racially diverse group of 49 boys and tracking their reading interests and reactions. Although research on boys and literacy has highlighted general themes, the authors caution that individuality must be taken into account. They found the following "flow experiences" as key to inspiring/maintaining boys' interest in reading: a sense of control (provide choice!) and competence (suggest teachers frontload info before a reading, show more create relevance), challenge, clear goals and feedback (suggest creating displays, projects) and a focus on the immediate experience (social relationship with characters, engaging materials). They stress the importance of teachers rethinking they way they teach English/reading based on their study. show less

Recommended by teachers involved with Club Bili, a boys reading group in an Alexandria middle school. Reports on their research with adolescent boys, finding that they would respond to inquiry-based instruction (where the students used their texts to get an answer to a problem), having choice, and being allowed to be social (working in groups). Raises a lot of ideas and concerns about how to better educate and why today's educators often don't engage students.