Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Jump Starting Boys- Giveaway!

Hmm, you might be thinking, why is that Accident woman going to write about boys?

Normally if I am going to write about boys, it's to discuss how they are in my way. Boys have the advantage and  I have girls. Boys get more attention in school, they grow up to make more money than female equals. Boys get called -on in class more often and are given more help. Girls are ignored during subjects like math or science to focus on boys. Boys are so disruptive in a classroom that a good bulk of the teachers time goes to just keeping them in line.

While those things used to be true, and are still situationally true, lots has changed in schools for boys. Boys are faltering. A shift took place with the intention of leveling out girls academics, and it may have gone too far.

I've just read a book that makes the most excellent point- my daughters might well grow up to marry boys someday, so it is in my interest to pay attention to some things. Yep, got me there!

I know this. I see little boys who start off energetic and excited. Interested in everything and everyone. They are so much fun! They are sweet and they are nice. Considerate even.  Somewhere in grade school I see them withdraw a bit. They don't show their sweetness. Interests wane. I think they fade, lose their shiny brightness. Some boys channel the changes into different avenues, some grow out of it, and some become sullen. Where the path leads then, could be anywhere.


Jump Starting Boys
By Pam Withers and Cynthia Gill
"Help your reluctant learner find success in school and life"

It is a book about getting boys back on track.  I imagine parents of boys will repeatedly reference it until it shreds- it's that helpful.

What I like best about this book is the immense usefulness. The authors do not expect parents to dramatically change everything over night (and a miracle will occur!), it's more about taking advantage of what is already there, and building on strengths and interests.  They describe tons of ways to prevent off-tracking in the first place. There are lists upon lists of actions you can take right now, many with little upheaval, to alter the path your child might be on.

One story given as an example both make me laugh and think. A boy was having trouble in school. The Dad, a truck driver,  is told the boy might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Surmising that meant the boy needed more attention, Dad started to take him along to work driving. The problems resolved.

SO, since the book was sent to me for review by the publisher, I am going to pass it on to a super lucky winner!  Leave a comment to the effect of "PICK ME" to be entered in the drawing I will have on Sunday, September 29th at noon Wisconsin time. You can also comment just to comment if you want- cuz you know I love comments.

Spread the word with my nifty little facebook gadget thingies or with copy-paste. Free stuff y'all!


13 comments:

  1. Pick Me! I have three little boys under five years old and need all the help I can get!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. my sister had a fridge magnet that said "there's a special place in heaven for the mother of boys" lol! Both of my sisters have 3 boys each- I hear ya!

      Delete
  2. Pick me! That book sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's good, I love a book that has tips instead of abstract concepts.

      Delete
  3. My goodness! How do you rate. No publisher sends ME anything! Though I do seem to hold a place in the heart of Nigerian royalty....so perhaps it evens out.

    I agree with this. Actually it seems to me that school is entirely girl-oriented. Sit still. Be self-controlled (long before boys are ready to.) Fine motor skills all the way. My guess is that if boys ever seemed to be "favored" (and actually in my time as a teacher I see the reverse in elementary and middle school, at least) it is because teachers may intuit that boys need the extra attention to keep them from losing it altogether. Frankly, I see very strong preference for girls, and true unfairness much of the time. Of course if you did pick me, I'd put it in the school library where MANY people would benefit. Presumably.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really don't know Annie- I must have got on a list somewhere! There are sites where you can sign up to do book reviews on your blog.
      When I was in school, granted with the dinosaurs (actually, there were like, 10 species then and now there are 100's) boys definitely had the advantage and it was huge. School has always been about sitting down and shutting up, but I think it's skewed too far.
      Corey, I can't promise a fire but we'll see...

      Delete
    2. Pick me! I have the EXACT concerns you describe for my boy. He is pure sweetness and energy and I am terrified those traits will be seen as flaws in school.

      Delete
  4. pick me, pick me! My oldest is in grade one and I can totally see this happening

    ReplyDelete
  5. Me me! Pick me! I have 3 boys. Ack! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  6. Me me! Pick me! I have 3 boys. Ack! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  7. a winner has been picked- see next post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Pick me! My oldest son is wearing sparkly pink lip gloss right this moment and my other two sons are attempting to kill something on a computer game. (As long as they are not trying to kill each other I am OK with it)

    ReplyDelete
  9. this post was old when you commented on it Wendy :) However, the winner has not contacted me yet and has no info on her profile so, I will re-draw on this Sunday if she doesn't come back.

    ReplyDelete

I love comments! If you agree or disagree, comment away! However if you are a butthead about it, you may be excised.

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...