How Boys Learn Best

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Responding to concerns that boys are falling behind, a new study in partnership with the The International Boys' School Coalition offers data on the best ways to teach boys, suggesting practices applicable to schooling anywhere.

One thousand teachers of 7th to 12th grade middle and high school boys and 1,500 students identified effective practices. Lessons that work best with boys were those that produced products, had vigorous motor activity, were structured as games, addressed unsolved problems, and used a combination of teamwork and competition.

Also successful are strategies that introduced dramatic novelties, lessons requiring responsibility for promoting learning of others, and content focusing on boys' masculinity and values, present and future social roles were cited.

Effective teachers make adjustments when boys aren't engaged; highly structured and "no-nonsense" teachers are appreciated, if they are fair. Many students felt uplifted by teachers' humor and passion.
These elements speak to parents and caregivers as well, for engaging boys in wholesome activities.

Find the report at www.ascd.org.

Reported By Dr. Marciene Mattleman, KYW Newsradio