tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post2561464603328254277..comments2024-03-28T00:28:06.035+13:00Comments on leading and learning: Educating Boys...and girls?Bruce Hammondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-36205904545502768842012-03-04T22:31:20.280+13:002012-03-04T22:31:20.280+13:00Such 'best practice' is nonsense - some bo...Such 'best practice' is nonsense - some boys ( and girls) like the aesthetic element in learning - lot of boys love visual designing. Most taggers are boys - and developers of graphic web pages etc.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-42927157715377453802012-03-04T21:20:07.184+13:002012-03-04T21:20:07.184+13:00With regards to the 'neat and pretty' comm...With regards to the 'neat and pretty' comments. I am teaching year 3 boys and I would like to know if "Boys Best Practice" advocates that boys should only use lead pencil for underlining, ruling off , filling in nouns, verb, etc into sentences and not use colour in their work. Also that there is no need to illustrate work. I am finding this concept a little difficult to deal with after teaching in a girl's school for many years where the use of colour is encouraged!Especially as the use of colour can enhance learning. Do boys not need colour in their lives? Is there research to substantiate this "no colour best practice"??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-7366015498907973142010-03-09T10:43:30.549+13:002010-03-09T10:43:30.549+13:00hello there, i have just happened upon this page w...hello there, i have just happened upon this page while desperately trying to find info on how to help my 9 yr old boy at school. After reading the exert about educating boys i beleive they are writing about my son!.Unlike some boys he was very fluent in reading and writing when starting school but has just gone down hill since. he works wonderfully when intersted and engaged but sitting still, writing etc just doesnt work. the school i feel now is just giving up on him he is not naughty not melicious just finds really hard to focus and easily distracted, im trying to work with them however i think im just coming across as a annoying mother. What other options for schooling do we have? he needs to learn by doing! he is very artistic and just a boy!. have looked at discovery 1 school does this work well for boys? any help greatly appreciated i dont want everyone giving up on him.michellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-75789161735175038852009-05-19T17:13:00.000+12:002009-05-19T17:13:00.000+12:00Imposed 'best practice' can be a bit boring - or i...Imposed 'best practice' can be a bit boring - or if you like overly predictable. Once consistency is in place then is the time for individual teacher and student creativity.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-5861210222322394182009-05-19T15:31:00.000+12:002009-05-19T15:31:00.000+12:00If only there was some 'best practice' teaching ha...If only there was some 'best practice' teaching happening ! Saying "boring best practice" means it isn't 'best practice' - does it ? Not in my books !TracyOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364640017250435679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-19135794022618182742009-05-10T21:50:00.000+12:002009-05-10T21:50:00.000+12:00Fully agree - the only real learning is meaningful...Fully agree - the only real learning is meaningful learning that makes sense to the learner. Not enough real learning - sparked by individual students curiosity- goes on in our schools as teachers follow boring 'best practice' teaching.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-84374862196984215922009-05-10T20:01:00.000+12:002009-05-10T20:01:00.000+12:00I am excited about seeing boys and girls involved ...I am excited about seeing boys and girls involved in authentic learning in rich tasks that really challenge them, when they do they are very concerned with how they "present" their information. This is the critical difference neat and tidy because I have a reason for what I am communicating and because I believe it could make a difference or neat and tidy because the teacher told me to!<br />We will find many examples of both around Aotearoa!Neill O'Reillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03983591973367009913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-67853522807287645712009-05-08T15:57:00.000+12:002009-05-08T15:57:00.000+12:00Hi Tracyo.
What you year 10 daughter says is sad...Hi Tracyo.<br /><br />What you year 10 daughter says is sad but all too often true. A real shame as science ought to be a discovery and experimental subject with pertinent notes taken as an integral part of the process. It is a crime against young minds as you say to sit , listen and copy.<br /><br />Hi Neil<br /><br />If writing all all surface feature and pretty decoration with no sense of self, depth of thought, or personal insight I am on your side. But somehow we are getting distracted.<br /><br />I have been to three schools today and at all I have seen boys happily involved in a range of fun learning activities producing their work with a due sense of respect for their own ideas.<br /><br />Maybe it is different in other parts of the country? If boys are doing the bare minimum then maybe they haven't seen the point of it.<br /><br />I think we have to differentiate between surface neatness and depth of thought well presented for a real audiance. Boys, in my experience, see the real 'power' in this. I have tradesmen working on my house at the moment and they all believe in doing the job to the best of their ability - and I want them to do a 'neat' job. <br /><br />In student centred learning environments this 'boy thing' is not an issue but we could go on forever...Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-90850047919915357642009-05-08T09:31:00.000+12:002009-05-08T09:31:00.000+12:00The latest 'horror' I heard last night fro...The latest 'horror' I heard last night from my year 10 daughter re; her science class at high school. "Our science teacher is soo boring, all we do is copy off the board or copy out of a text book, what a waste of time and it's so boring, I don't even bother to read what I am copying it's so lame". This is so sad and makes me so cross, feel like running down then like a wild banshee screaming .... can't believe there are still teachers out there doing this sort of thing and unfortunately I feel at a high school they are 'unapproachable' and 'beyond question'. Being a bit of a science enthuasiast myself in my teaching, this sort of stuff makes me so mad. This is a Year 10 girl talking - so I imagine many of the others boys & girls feel exactly the same !<br />It's a crime against young eager minds.TracyOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364640017250435679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-34584905210466644982009-05-08T06:57:00.000+12:002009-05-08T06:57:00.000+12:00Thanks Polly
Over the years far to much "credit" h...Thanks Polly<br />Over the years far to much "credit" has been given to or attributed to "neat and tidy" work. The quality of the learning is often secondary. A perfect example is writing. When teachers cannot see beyond the neatness of a piece and the surface features the teaching (and learning) stops. Other examples include title pages (and yes people till do have these as a regular part of the classroom programme- makes great homework!) , projects, posters...<br />We as adults rarely concern ourselves with the neatness of our planning, ideas, notes, calculations etc yet it is one of the primary areas of focus for school teachers. <br />Often if boys are asked to do a title page or a project, poster etc unless they are given specifics about design, layout and share in the development of the success criteria they will do the bare minimum- and why not they often see such little value in the "project" (etc) that it is just meeting requirements.Neill O'Reillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03983591973367009913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-62924456868012151312009-05-07T22:38:00.000+12:002009-05-07T22:38:00.000+12:00Fair enough PollyFair enough PollyBruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-67065061689364242662009-05-07T22:09:00.000+12:002009-05-07T22:09:00.000+12:00Bruce, Re your comment 'I don't like the 'neat and...Bruce, Re your comment 'I don't like the 'neat and pretty' bit because I strongly believe in the power of aesthetic design and 'personal best':<br />By ‘neat and pretty’ I understood Neill to mean when 'neat and pretty' is as the object or goal of the action. I think he would agree with the’ power of aesthetic design’ and the ‘concept of personal best’ in the pursuit of quality learning that engages and respects hearts and minds.pollysparkleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16305587734909299480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-76165764628407037452009-05-06T22:27:00.000+12:002009-05-06T22:27:00.000+12:00I agree the home learning is just one piece of the...I agree the home learning is just one piece of the puzzle (an important one as I believe it is one of the most powerful windows into learning in the 21C) and it is exciting to see and hear about schools making some brave choices to challenge the norms.Neill O'Reillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03983591973367009913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-30516939461995093102009-05-06T08:51:00.000+12:002009-05-06T08:51:00.000+12:00Hi Neill
I have heard only good things about your...Hi Neill<br /><br />I have heard only good things about your homework ideas but for me the answer does not lie with homework but making activity/inquiry/ exploration and expression central to all learning.<br /><br />A lot of schools are making use of a developmental activity programme called 'Discovery' ( Hutt Central School) for juniors to do exactly what you are saying.<br /><br />I don't like the 'neat and pretty' bit because I strongly believe in the power of aesthetic design and 'personal best' ( 'doing fewer things well') but small point. Too much written work is boring and unfocused which turns boys off.<br /><br />I am aware of the books you mention and have written lots of blogs about Claxton in particular.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-41107474988551062742009-05-06T08:38:00.000+12:002009-05-06T08:38:00.000+12:00Hi Jody
I agree with you about 'broadening and de...Hi Jody<br /><br />I agree with you about 'broadening and deepening' literacy but still that think most programmes need to be 'reframed' so as to contribute directly to the inquiry programme -and, most importantly, that the inquiry programme is what it is all about!Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-17067924370328728212009-05-06T06:59:00.000+12:002009-05-06T06:59:00.000+12:00Great to see Michael putting his thought to paper....Great to see Michael putting his thought to paper. He was a principal at a small school north of Auckland and in the early 1990's I was his release teacher for one day a week while I was training to be a teacher. So nice to hear his ideas.<br />At the schools I have led over the last 5 years we have responded to this understanding regarding boys learning in a number of ways at our schools including the removal of all homework aside from some reading and basic facts. In its place we have offered n optional programme that is"doing" (making meals, doing jobs, camping, doing art, learning instruments, joining cubs/scouts, helping out in the community, doing the famine, doing tri athlons etc) with no pretty presentation necessary! In the schools that have implemented this concept (over 50 nationwide in NZ and growing by the week) some are achieving up to 90% uptake from their children- including boys!<br />At my current school we are working on a new concept (probably old really) of transition to school - a new entrant area with a major emphasis on play with purpose built water, sand and other play areas under large atrium that links the classes as part of the total classroom learning area. This is just the start -our NZCER engagement data is virtually the same as all NZ schools and it is shocking neary 50% of boys from Year 4 up identify school as "boring" despite the fact we are trying new ideas all the time- the answer? We have not tried the right ideas yet or our data would change! Anyway I have got Michaels book , other books worth a read include Guy Claxtons "What the point of school" and Alfie Kohn " Schools worth Fighting For". <br />Go Michael and go all you people out their who are trying other options. How about a science year? Forget the touch feely crap , the social studies and looking at things get them doing and then reflecting on their doing, ask probing questions, get away from neat and pretty- so over rated, get over spelling also over rated bring back fun to schools!Neill O'Reillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03983591973367009913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-26356588742551846702009-05-05T17:55:00.000+12:002009-05-05T17:55:00.000+12:00I do agree with the too much 'literacy' if it is l...I do agree with the too much 'literacy' if it is literacy in the narrowest sense of the word but not if it is about 'reading' art, 'reading' the natural world, 'reading' the opinions of others, 'reading' the instructions to create something (how to ...) or play a game, 'reading' angles etc to create a successful adventure playground ....<br />I could go on and on - literacy, in my opinion, is being able to draw on the right skill at the right time to solve problems and reflect on something to decide what your own opinion is.<br />I agree with immersion in motivating, interesting and integrated learning - that is how I like to learn myself. The acceptance that my interests won't be the same as others means I have to negotiate and finds points where commonality occurs and this is worthwhile learning too.Jody Hayeshttp://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-36595148677516822332009-05-05T11:23:00.000+12:002009-05-05T11:23:00.000+12:00Kia ora folks
This rushing kids into literacy and...Kia ora folks<br /><br />This rushing kids into literacy and numeracy bi- passing lots of sensory experiences that develop naturally ideas, words and questions is just wrong.<br /><br />And what Irwin writes about boys is equally applicable to girls who sometimes need to be more assertive.<br /><br />And we did have better language experience develomental teaching in earlier days, which were more creative and more fun. Reading writing, maths, science , and art should grow out of the need to make and express personal meaning not be 'add ons' or 'fill ins'.<br /><br />Great to know you are a boy Tom! You are right about all this recording requirements to measure , or provide 'evidence' - the best evidence are the aptitudes and attitudes of the students themselves.<br /><br />Our current 'formulaic' education, and this obsessive emphasis on literacy and numeracy( the 'evil twins') is mis-educating too many students who leave without a decent sense of who they are, what they can do and lacking in a postive vision of their future.<br /><br />And National Standards will just add to the problems.<br /><br />Lets 'slow the pace', 'do fewer things well' , produce work of quality and creativity, and help children find themselves, their gifts and talents, in the process. A bit more trust and faith and a little less measuring everything.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-25779085704028461272009-05-04T21:09:00.000+12:002009-05-04T21:09:00.000+12:00Great comments people.
I am a boy and this blog is...Great comments people.<br />I am a boy and this blog is true. Even now as a principal I could justify staying in my office day in, day out and 'manage' our school.<br /><br />This year I have allowed tackling and bullrush again. On my teaching day our day is themed - current theme is Spiders. The boys and girls love it.<br /><br />We limit ourselves to one staff meeting a week and when there is an event such as parent teacher interviews we do not have a staff meeting that week.<br /><br />Our catch phrase is - slowing the pace.<br /><br />As for being over burdened with language ERO recommended that we update and rewrite most of our policies. It was a reasonable suggestion as the policies were in a sorry state but policy writing - now that's fun ?Tomhttp://www.tomsheehan.co.nznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-84204660061084314702009-05-04T20:37:00.000+12:002009-05-04T20:37:00.000+12:00Mac Stevenson,
in reply to your reading recovery c...Mac Stevenson,<br />in reply to your reading recovery comment - true.<br />There was a SARR programme - Supporting as Risk Readers for 8 year olds and above, which was a lot more flexible than reading recovery - having trained in both, I feel that I can compare. Last year financial support was withdrawn from this initiative - so is no longer happening. I saw great benefits from this in terms of older students getting assistance they need and sustaining it. But it is no more....TracyOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364640017250435679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-13465110312310850712009-05-04T20:33:00.000+12:002009-05-04T20:33:00.000+12:00I agree it is about girls too. Too often I too s...I agree it is about girls too. Too often I too see girls bored by school - so it's not just about the literacy. Why do these excited, questioning and keen little 5 year olds become bored, unenthusiastic 8 year olds...way too soon to be sick of the system. A lot of the 'fun' has disappeared I think - I still think back to my early days of teaching about 18 or so years ago - I still feel like a new teacher and nearly die when think it's been that long - anyway, I am off the subject - used to do daily PE, fitness, literacy , numeracy with art, social studies and science, drama and dance and I think did it all well - we still have same hours in the day....where does the day go ? We had the paper work then, I remember doing the tick boxes for every child in several areas of every subject....seemed more then.....so why can't we do it now ? I think our kids got a good deal then....what has changed ? Technology ??<br /><br />An interesting point is that the European education systems mentioned have one of highest rates of literacy in world. I have been told that many of their programmes on TV are subtitled - hence their good reading levels. See the Availll programme via Canterbury area/Christchurch - which is based on movies and subtitles and the wonderful progress achieved by students after a 6 week block of this. Might not be so much to do with age taught to read - but exposure to text via TV ? Who knows...many variables. All interesting though and I agree, it might not be so much about educating boys - but just 'educating'.TracyOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364640017250435679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-38203511623840785102009-05-04T20:31:00.000+12:002009-05-04T20:31:00.000+12:00How true Bruce. If you want proof of starting kids...How true Bruce. If you want proof of starting kids too early on Reading just look at who is in the Reading Recovery groups. Almost always boys, almost always Maori and PI boys. We reward their inability to read by shutting them in a little room for half an hour of one on one every day and then wonder why any gains made are rarely sustained.<br />Perhaps a half hour in the sand pit or in the activity corner would be best and lets look at Reading Recovery when they are 8 rather than 6.<br />Just a thought and one that will see me looked at askance by all Reading Recovery advocates no doubt.Mac Stevensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09285257070911299880noreply@blogger.com