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Boys need literacy skills not just for school , but for life .
Queensland boys ’ results were also lower than the national result in more than half the areas tested , and results in both Year 7 and Year 9 were below national levels in two-thirds of the areas tested .
Boys ’ own adventure
Program aims to improve ‘ alarming ’ literacy levels among QLD boys .
By Wade Zaglas
A new program aiming to improve literacy among boys by engaging them in topics they find interesting is currently being rolled out in schools across Queensland .
Called Literacy for Boys , the program focuses on topics including dangerous animals , extreme sports and adventure stories – subjects to pique boys ’ interest and engagement in literacy .
The Queensland government has provided $ 100,000 in funding for the program during Round 7 of the Ignite Ideas Fund , a grant that program founder and director Tanya Grambower said will boost engagement with more Queensland schools .
The program currently operates in six schools throughout Queensland , involving some 800 students .
“ The lack of literacy among boys across Australia is alarming ,” Grambower said . “ Poor literacy not only makes the classroom experience incredibly difficult on boys , but it can harm employment opportunities and impact life well beyond school .
“ Literacy for Boys has the power to improve how Queensland boys learn to read and write .
“ When approached the right way , boys can be switched on to reading and literacy .”
Grambower added that it is the only program that specifically addresses the literacy preferences and needs of boys .
“ Literacy for Boys grabs their attention and holds their interest by targeting topics boys find fascinating like zombies , AFL , cricket or science ,” she said .
“ The program mixes topics with video , music and imagery so that boys willingly engage with the content .
“ We make learning literacy fun for boys so that they race onto the next topic to learn about the Bermuda Triangle , rollercoasters and Lego .
“ The Ignite Ideas Funding will allow us to take the program to the next level , engage more boys and improve learning outcomes for a generation of young boys .”
RATIONALE FOR THE PROGRAM Literacy for Boys was developed in response to a lack of literacy resources that addressed the specific needs of boys , how they learn and what they need from their literacy .
The NAPLAN National Report for 2018 also makes clear why programs are needed across the country . For instance , in that year girls outperformed boys in all literacy testing areas across all ages . Additionally , one in three Year 9 boys were below the minimum writing standard .
The 2018 NAPLAN results also highlighted that Queensland was underperforming as a state in terms of boys ’ literacy achievement . For example , nearly a quarter ( 22 per cent ) of Queensland Year 7 boys were below the minimum writing standard .
SUCCESSES SO FAR One of the program ’ s success stories is an 18-week trial at Eatons Hill State School in 2018 . After the trial period reading , comprehension and spelling results improved by 12 months or a full year level .
Ed Gordon , deputy principal at Eatons , said the school was “ delighted ” about the results .
“ Most important was the anecdotal feedback from our students who were engaged and enjoying using the program ,” he said .
“ The program allows for differentiated delivery of content in an enticing platform that has captured not only the interest of our boys , but equally our girls who enjoy the program just as much .”
Grambower has big plans for the program , adding that the Ignite Ideas Fund would help to expand Literacy for Boys across the country and even into overseas markets .
“ Boys need literacy skills not just for school , but for life ,” she said .
“ Literacy for Boys is every teacher ’ s dream because the content is aligned with the Australian curriculum and covers reading comprehension , grammar , spelling and punctuation .
“ Teachers want their students to succeed in school and Literacy for Boys is a tool they can embrace to ensure boys get ahead in literacy .”
Grambower added that improved literacy results leads to better outcomes in other school subjects , improving students ’ selfesteem and self-confidence .
“ Parents also want their children to receive the best education and our entire learning program can be easily accessed at home ,” she said .
“ Literacy for Boys is all about securing our children ’ s future by ensuring they develop a foundation skill for life .” ■
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