Category Archives: School Life

Middle School: Misunderstood or Magic?



.redcircle-link:link { color: #ea404d; text-decoration: none; } .redcircle-link:hover { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:active { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:visited { color: #ea404d; } Powered by RedCircle Is middle school misunderstood — or magic? For most of us — and many of our kids — middle school is a pretty miserable time. But that’s largely because most … Continue reading Middle School: Misunderstood or Magic?


Needed: Boy-Friendly Schools



.redcircle-link:link { color: #ea404d; text-decoration: none; } .redcircle-link:hover { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:active { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:visited { color: #ea404d; } Powered by RedCircle Most schools today aren’t boy-friendly.  That’s one (big!) reason why boys lag behind girls academically. And why so many boys hate going to school. Tyler, a 16-year-old Texas boy, started … Continue reading Needed: Boy-Friendly Schools


Set Boys Up for School Success



.redcircle-link:link { color: #ea404d; text-decoration: none; } .redcircle-link:hover { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:active { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:visited { color: #ea404d; } Powered by RedCircle How can boys experience school success?  Parents and educators frequently ask, “How do we help boys thrive in school?” A question we rarely ask is, What can boys do to … Continue reading Set Boys Up for School Success


Color Blindness in Boys



.redcircle-link:link { color: #ea404d; text-decoration: none; } .redcircle-link:hover { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:active { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:visited { color: #ea404d; } Powered by RedCircle Color blindness affects a lot of boys. In fact, 1 in 12 males are color blind. They perceive color differently than most humans. Some see shades of tan instead of … Continue reading Color Blindness in Boys


Boys in School Task Force



.redcircle-link:link { color: #ea404d; text-decoration: none; } .redcircle-link:hover { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:active { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:visited { color: #ea404d; } Powered by RedCircle Division 51 of the American Psychological Association launched a Task Force on Boys in School in 2020. Finally! Boys do worse in school, on average, than girls. Boys are more likely … Continue reading Boys in School Task Force


Building Boys’ Reading and Literacy Skills



Reading and literacy are important life skills. But many boys struggle with reading and writing — and resist parents’ and teachers’ well-intended efforts to help them. Lots of boys are reluctant readers. Many hate writing. Teaching boys to read Middle school literacy instructional coach Todd Feltman says, “reading has to be taught in increments,” especially … Continue reading Building Boys’ Reading and Literacy Skills


The Gender Equation in Schools



 Gender bias affects boys’ experience in schools. It’s most often unconscious and unintentional bias but it affects how our boys see themselves and how they feel about school and learning. And until we admit that fact and grapple with the gender equation in schools, things aren’t going to get much better. Educator Jason Ablin learned that … Continue reading The Gender Equation in Schools


How Microschools and Black Moms May End the School to Prison Pipeline



When they realized that schools wouldn’t change quickly enough to meet their kids’ needs, members of the Black Mothers Forum opened microschools, with an eye toward ending the school to prison pipeline. Existing school leaders and educators “really did not understand how to create a safe and supportive learning environment for our Black children,” say … Continue reading How Microschools and Black Moms May End the School to Prison Pipeline


Forest Schools Get Boys Learning Naturally



School + nature = forest schools “A forest school is holistic education outdoors in nature,” says Nicki Farrell, co-founder of Wildings Forest School in Queensland, Australia. Learning doesn’t typically follow set curriculum; rather, it’s child-led. Education is individualized and play-based and includes plenty of movement. The kids who struggle the most in traditional schools — … Continue reading Forest Schools Get Boys Learning Naturally


Homeschool Hacks and How to Homeschool Boys (w Linsey Knerl)



How DO you homeschool boys? Trying to recreate school-at-home doesn’t work for most boys — as so many families found out during the pandemic. And placing your life and career on hold while you educate your kids isn’t exactly practical either.  Linsey Knerl, a freelance writer and mother of six (including 5 boys!), says it’s … Continue reading Homeschool Hacks and How to Homeschool Boys (w Linsey Knerl)