The Editor, Sir:

I would like to join in the conversation raised by The Gleaner's August 9 editorial 'Good boys need support too'.

The boy who misbehaves in class, the troublemaker, the low achiever and who is more likely to be noticed than the boy who works hard in school, is respectful, and who has a well-intentioned plan to succeed.

But let me hasten to say that we should not take the focus off the boys who may be a bit challenging. We need to develop comprehensive strategies to ensure that all of our boys succeed.

Simple literacy plan

I would like to suggest a simple literacy plan that supports reading. Boys who get in trouble are usually non- or marginal readers. Their frustration levels tend to be higher and they become more disruptive in the teaching-learning environment. They are the ones that get 'kicked' out of class often, the ones sent on 'errands' the most.

I would like to suggest a plan that immerses boys in reading, a plan that is relevant to their lives. Having three boys of my own and having worked with boys for over 25 years, I have some ideas that have worked for me in creating some positive outcomes. So here we go:

1. Boys need loads of attention. Talk to them, engage them, listen to them and do not try to bully them, especially if you are a male teacher.

2. Boys need to be treated with respect regardless of socio-economic status or address.

3. Do not force a boy to read. They will if they realise you do not make a big deal out of it.

4. Boys do not like to copy pages from the board, listen to teachers talking non-stop, do worksheets, write on their own, or read on their own.

5. Many boys learn best by moving their bodies and doing things, rather than sitting.

6. Boys must be active, they enjoy group work, challenges, quizzes, experiments, sociable learning, oral work.

7. Take them on field trips to places that provide fun and learning opportunities.

8. Provide opportunities for reading that students can identify with and ones that they see as valuable. For example, my sons have got interested in 'Lil Wayne' rap music. I detest rap music. 'Too much garbage,' I tell them. They won the battle or so they think. I gave them an 'assignment' to research the artiste and present me with their findings. They did. I won. They did extensive reading.

This is not a comprehensive plan that targets boys' achievements. I am simply putting forth some very basic ideas that have worked for me. Our government, teachers, parents, boys, all of the stakeholders, need to sit down and come up with an agenda that makes sense and that is relevant to the needs of boys.

I am, etc,

MARCIA RANGLIN-VASSELL

marci5216@yahoo.com

32 Waite Street

Providence, RI

Via Go-Jamaica