Ralph Fletcher’s Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices
Greetings! I chose Ralph Fletcher’s book “Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices” for two reasons. One—I really like the guy. He writes approachable books about teaching writing in the classroom. They are fun to read and they include tips and practical ways of making writing really happen in the classroom. Two—I have lots of apathetic boys in my classroom and was hoping to find some ideas to get my boys more engaged in learning and writing.
Reasons to read the book: Fletcher taught in the classroom for many years. He has lots of stories and is never out of touch with practicing teachers. He has four sons. Need I say more? He is funny—you can read this book cover to cover and actually enjoy it. 
He surveyed teachers (who he believes to be excellent writing teachers) and boy students to find out what they have to say. The answers are honest and suggestions real.
Questions for you:
- From his survey for teachers: “In general my (boys/girls/equal) tend to enjoy writing more.”
- What would you guess the difference is between boys’ and girls’ writing test scores to be?
- What does writing and writing and boys look like in your classroom?
- What has worked for you and the boy writers in your classroom?
I would say that in general the girls in my classroom tend to be more excited about writing. I actually would make a bold statement and say that boys have higher writing tests scores… only because in my classroom it seems like boys complain more about the writing assignments but then do really well on them. In my classroom I try to bring in a variety of reading material by both male and female authors, however I think that I favor male authors and so there is a presence of male writers. I think the boys and girls both like getting to view both male and female authors because it allows them to choose an author to write like.
Hi Amanda!
This book, like mine, sounds like it’s immediately applicable and adaptable, which I love! So, it also reminded me of a book called “Reading Don’t Fix No Chevys” which sounds similar, but focuses on the reading aspect- read it- it works!
In response, I seem to get a lot more action and descriptive details from boys, while girls tend to be more empathetic and get into the feelings of their writing more- sounds sexist, but true, and I think this goes the same for reading. I did the Wacky We-Search book (Barry Lane) and those ideas worked really well with my boys….I also have to say I got way more son/Dad writing and responses than daughter/Dad or even daughter/Mom for that point! Boys were in touch and wanted to communicate with Dad!
No idea on the difference in writing scores- but, like Amy, I think the boys’ might be higher…they DO complain, but get it done, without over-thinking like the girls.
Hi Amanda,
I think at fourth grade I still have an even split with good writing from boys and girls, and that scores are about the same. I recall the first line in Love That Dog that says something like, “I hate poetry. Poetry is for girls.” I have to say that I do see boys get really excited about “boy topics” like adventures, mysteries, and super intergalactic heros. Girls will get motivated more easily by every day prompts it seems. I have also noticed that boys like to include art in their writing, and many of them LOVE sharing with the class. I think the entertainment value is high for them!
I know with my son, his teachers made him write his life story just about every year from 4th grade through 12th. He got tired of it, so I think we could expand our topics of interest to include their hobbies: cars, music, sports, their opinions on controversial subjects, and get more enthusiasm. They love adding technology to their writing. I have seen unbelievable movies, slide shows, all with great humor that the boys put hours of overtime into for their presentations. They love to rock the room when it’s their turn to share.
Bye for now,
Terry
I find the timing of this sharing amazing. I just had a teacher leave my office asking for help with just this topic. Therefore, I will pass this book idea along to her. In my experience while in the classroom it seemed that girls tended to write more in depth, created more lengthy writings, and their writing was more personal. I do also think they enjoy it more or at least it appears that way. But, I have not done any research to prove these findings.One of the differences in writing test scores, in my opinion, is that girls seem to be more introspective. They like to write in a diary from an early age, whereas, you may find a boy playing outside. Additionally, girls write notes to each other and boys could care less. Any form of writing will help to increase their writing ability as they are doing it more frequently than boys. Girls like to share, in writing, what is going on emotionally. Typically from what I have seen it takes boys longer to get started on the writing. Also, they seem to have more difficulties focusing on the writing. They may start, but for them to continue is hard.One thing that I have found that works is to put on music or at times to let them listen to their own music (although this is no longer permitted). Also, once they get started, leave them alone!
What an interesting topic you’ve started Amanda. And while at first glance, I would agree with the thread that girls tend to write more or find it easier to write, it is boys who tend to win the writing awards or are the top writers in the class. This year, in my non honors class, I have already had two boys ask me to read stories they have written–not prompted by any teacher or any class but rather by their desire and drive to write. It seems strange that in some ways we see writing as a “girl’s activity” (and this brings to mind the poetry conundrum from Love That Dog)and yest one hundred years ago women were writing under male names in order to be published! Like suggested, I attempt to provide a variety of topics and areas they can write about. Last year when I did the Writer’s Notebook portfolios, each gender loved the freedom of it. Yes, I noticed that in general girls had their drafts completed on time, but as stated before, once boys started writing, they really wrote. For me, I have had the most success when I have given total freedom to students on what to write–not only topic but genre as well. Ultimately, I think there is a hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) writer in us all. Take Care–Rebekah
Okay, now I think I’ve got this down…maybe…
I have always wondered if I get more responses from boys because I’m a male teacher? I wonder what research is out there on that…
I work with at-risk freshmen(what 9th grader isn’t at-risk)and I’ve found that I get papers from boys who are totally apathetic. I’m sometimes surprised and the papers are often better than I expect. I have noticed (although I hate stereotyping) that many of the girls write about emotional experiences (death of a grandmother; loss of a friend; a relationship that fell apart) while boys write about physical experiences (falling from a tree and breaking an arm; the skateboard trick that didn’t workout; the roadtrip from hell). There are always exceptions and certainly the boys include some emotions in their papers and girls include the physical experiences that led to the emotions as well.
I have found that boys tend to be more willing to share their papers aloud (probably because they are proud of their injuries as if they were badges of honor) while girls would rather share in a small group and only if they have to–sharing about a very personal experience is hard for all of us and often they find they have worked through the experience as they wrote the paper and it’s too personal to share. I always have a box of kleenex handy when we share.
I may have to put this book on my reading list
rob1777 — September 10, 2008 @ 5:27 pm