Boys and School
I was interested to learn of a new book released in 2008, and to discover the author’s blog. I have long been concerned about what schools are doing to our little boys, and much of Peg Tyre’s writing confirms my fears and observations.
What Ms. Tyre reports is one reason that I began home-schooling my sons from day one; I’ve continued because I was apalled to hear my friends talking about fourth graders who are struggling with Algebra and having to write 20-page papers. That’s outrageous! And no one seems to see it.
In my day (back in the 70s and 80s), Algebra was for 7th graders at the earliest, and they were usually the gifted math students. Most of us took it in 8th or 9th, usually after taking a year of pre-algebra. We didn’t write more than a 5-page paper until 8th or 9th grade, either. My first 20-page paper was for an AP English class when I was a senior in high school.
I really believe that we are pushing kids too hard and too fast in many academic areas. It is not natural for any child, but definitely not for a boy, to sit quietly for six to seven hours a day, quietly reading, filling out worksheets, and so on. Be honest! How many adults need a physical outlet after an 8-hour day at the office? It’s not normal for us, either.
I can tell you that a boy who is interested in something will spend hours reading and experimenting to learn about it. My nature-lover spends hours reading non-fiction books about animals and their habits, but he doesn’t like to read fictional stories. So which is more important? And which would get him in trouble in school? (Hint: School lit books are disproportionately fiction.)
Because I have taken great pains to ensure that their learning is as hands-on as possible, and that they have ample time for active, outdoor play, my boys are very happy and well-adjusted, despite severe upheavals in our lives. They are active, curious, articulate, and above grade-level in most areas. Yet many parents of school-age kids tell me that my boys are ADHD and should be on meds. (Fortunately, I can retort that their psychologist has assured me that they are normal boys and do not have ADHD.)
We really need to reconsider how we have structured schools, so that we can make them more friendly to both genders. Yes, girls need educational opportunity and encouragement, but so do boys. Why not recognize, accept, and celebrate the differences between the genders? We don’t need to try to make our little boys act like little girls. The little girls are filling their niche admirably. Let’s let the little boys fill theirs!