This excerpt from "Reading Don't Fix No Chevys" provides an overview that looks at the current concerns around literacy and boys. Using several key research studies to create what they perceive to be a list of the critical issues with boys and literacy, the authors respond in this chapter to the concerns they cite: (1) boys underperforming in literacy, (2) concerns for boys' psychological health, (3) biological determinism, (4) boys and violence, (5) battle lines over boys and learning, (6) gender and literacy, (7) literacy and masculinity, and (3) critical theory that incorporates social constructivism.

This excerpt from "Reading Don't Fix No Chevys" provides an overview that looks at the current concerns around literacy and boys. Using several key research studies to create what they perceive to be a list of the critical issues with boys and literacy, the authors respond in this chapter to the concerns they cite: (1) boys underperforming in literacy, (2) concerns for boys' psychological health, (3) biological determinism, (4) boys and violence, (5) battle lines over boys and learning, (6) gender and literacy, (7) literacy and masculinity, and (3) critical theory that incorporates social constructivism.

Smith and Wilhelm call for action that involves not overgeneralizing, and look to differentiated instruction to provide boys with literacy instruction that's relevant. Additionally, they point to expanding the academic vision of success for boys and literacy--one grounded primarily in classroom testing, and suggest instead alternate ways of assessment that both respect the individuality and improve the self-efficacy of boys. (author/bcbrown)

This resource offers an overview of research based theories related to boys and their lack of literacy and performance in the academic classroom. The material will be thought provoking for all teachers, but may be especially important for career-technical and English teachers working with students in the Construction, Manufacturing, and Transportation career fields.

This resource offers an overview of research based theories related to boys and their lack of literacy and performance in the academic classroom. The material will be thought provoking for all teachers, but may be especially important for career-technical and English teachers working with students in the Construction, Manufacturing, and Transportation career fields. Some practical ideas for teachers are found toward the end of this lengthy discussion. The resource is the first chapter of a book that examines this lack of literacy and performance. One discussed theory suggests that society and the current concept of masculinity actually give boys permission to do better at hands-on tasks (like mechanics) and allows them not to worry about literacy and academics. (jrs)