BOYS

         Since I started teaching in 1958, the topic of boys and their behaviour and success in school has always been a topic. The topic was very likely discussed long before 1958. 

      Yesterday I listened to an interview which covered the topic. Yes and the interview was  of someone who has just written a book on the topic. One wonders how many books have been written on this topic.

      Many suggestions have been made about causes and solutions and nothing seems to make much of a difference. 

      So some boys seem to have trouble sitting still. They get up and wander around disrupting other students. Sound familiar? I attended a one room country school from gr one to nine. I remember being out of my seat and going to an older student's desk and just watching. I didn't know what they were doing but it was interesting to watch. In my teaching experience I have had boys get up and chase each other around the class room.

     Some boys have more difficulty learning to read. Many reasons have been given for this problem. Many suggestions have been made for a solution.

   In the days of retention most were boys who repeated a grade.

   One o the good things on this issue is that most boys seem to have caught up to girls in the  later teen years.

    So when I listened to the interview I thought, well, I have heard this for many years. It's a familiar topic. How much  longer will we hear this same topic.