Page 9 - How to Teach Reading with Heart

Boys

Adrift?

There is a book I would like to recommend answering you will find out how it made
for both parents and teachers that him feel. A perfect example happened one

addresses the actions of the student above. day when I was in a writing workshop
It is Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax, M.D., for ESL students that has to be done each

Ph.D. Having not raised a son, and there year. A seventh-grade teacher put on the
being a large age gap between myself and screen an example of exemplary writing. I
my brothers, I had concerns about teaching recognized the student, I had him in fifth

fifth grade and middle school age boys. grade, and he was an excellent writer. She
My search for help led me to Dr. Sax’s was praising his work. She turned to the

book. The first chapter called, The Riddle, last page and at the bottom was written a
described the unmotivated, disinterested question in her handwriting. The question,
boys I was trying to teach. My big “How did this make you feel?” This prolific

takeaway from his book was how to ask the writer had answered with one three letter
questions that would help them open up word, “Bad.” She did not ask the question

and express themselves. A simple change in the correct way. If she had asked instead,
asking a question. Never ask a boy, “How “What did this make you want to do?” he
does that make you feel?” Always ask, would have written a full-page answer. I

“What did that make you want to do?” In thought to myself, Dr. Sax was correct.
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