Engaging boys in writing has long been a challenge. Research consistently shows that boys often lag behind girls in writing proficiency and exhibit less enthusiasm for writing tasks, which can impact their overall academic performance.
We can see this playing out in the latest NAPLAN writing results, with female students across Australia outperforming their male classmates in every year group. Just over 73 per cent of year 7 girls are writing at either ‘strong’ or ‘exceeding’ levels, compared with 58 per cent of boys of the same age. It’s past time the gender literacy gap was properly addressed.
Time for a new approach
Boys aren’t being reached effectively with current writing instruction methods. And if they can’t progress beyond a basic level of writing, many will struggle to achieve the standard expected in their senior years of schooling.
The research highlights several key reasons for boys’ underachievement in writing, including differences in interests, confidence levels and learning styles between boys and girls.
Dr Ian Lillico, founder of the Boys Forward Institute, has been researching gender in education for more than a decade. ‘We must find better ways to tap into boys’ needs, likes and aspirations,’ he argues.
Seven Steps to Writing Success founder Jen McVeity agrees. ‘Writing can be daunting and scary for boys. But if we can give them some early success with writing, it’s a powerful motivator.’
3 effective solutions
McVeity believes that boys benefit from more kinaesthetic and collaborative learning approaches, which are not always utilised in traditional writing instruction. ‘Let them write comic books or storyboards about sports and video games. Use movement and drama, and don’t forget humour – boys love it!’
Here she shares some evidence-based strategies that are central to the award-winning Seven Steps approach to writing.
Collaborative learning: Boys often thrive in social settings and enjoy opportunities to work with their peers. Collaborative activities such as brainstorming and sharing work can make writing a more enjoyable and interactive experience. These activities also allow boys to learn from one another and gain different perspectives on their writing.
Chunking techniques: Breaking down writing into smaller, more manageable parts can help boys who feel overwhelmed by more extensive writing tasks. By mastering each chunk – such as coming up with original ideas, planning an engaging text or hooking the reader from the start – boys can build their skills incrementally and gain confidence with each step.
Simple, fun strategies: Incorporating elements of play and creativity can make writing more appealing to boys. Using prompts that align with their interests, such as sports, adventure or technology, can spark their creativity and enthusiasm. Additionally, techniques like Sizzling Starts, where students write exciting story beginnings, can engage boys and help them see writing as a fun and dynamic activity.
‘I was amazed!’
After implementing the Seven Steps in her classroom, Bec Drozdoff was amazed to see how quickly students started to relish daily writing activities, especially the boys.
‘Never in my teaching career did I imagine I would have boys asking me to stay in at recess to complete their writing because they’re so engrossed in their work!’
Collaboration was a huge part of this process. ‘It was amazing to see how comfortable my once-reluctant writers were when given the opportunity to build upon other suggestions as well as formulating their own.’
And creating a safe space for students to experiment and find their unique voice had an incredible impact. ‘I made it abundantly clear that I would not be checking for spelling and grammar. The freedom to express, create and write was a luxury some had never experienced before, and it truly made all the difference in unlocking ideas.’
Bec found that breaking tasks into smaller chunks and practising them with fun activities reduced the overwhelm and boosted boys’ overall confidence. ‘Our writing books were filling fast and, without explicitly teaching descriptive language, the words began to flow of their own accord.’
Setting boys up for life
It’s not just about school – the ability to express yourself in writing is an important life skill. Adopting strategies that foster a more positive attitude towards writing is a vital step forward, ultimately leading to the improved educational outcomes our boys deserve.
‘Boys can add so much value to our schools, classes and homes,’ says Dr Lillico. ‘Let’s help them acquire the skills and attributes they will need to thrive in a changing world.’
Editor’s note: The above article was supplied by Seven Steps to Writing Success.