Joy, This may not be what you're really looking for, but have you checked out www.guysread.com ? It's created by Jon Scieszka - so you know it rocks! From the website: "Guys Read is a web-based literacy program made to help boys find stuff they like to read." I absolutely LOVE the mission statement of the website: Our Mission Our mission is to motivate boys to read by connecting them with materials they will want to read, in ways they like to read. Our mission is to: 1. Make some noise for boys. We have literacy programs for adults and families. GUYS READ is our chance to call attention to boys’ literacy. 2. Expand our definition of reading. Include boy-friendly nonfiction, humor, comics, graphic novels, action- adventure, magazines, websites, and newspapers in school reading. Let boys know that all these materials count as reading. 3. Give boys choice. Motivate guys to want to read by letting them choose texts they will enjoy. Find out what they want. Let them choose from a new, wider range of reading. 4. Encourage male role models. Men have to step up as role models of literacy. What we do is more important than all we might say. 5. Be realistic. Start small. Boys aren’t believing that “Reading is wonderful.” Reading is often difficult and boring for them. Let’s start with “Here is one book/magazine/text you might like.” 6. Spread the GUYS READ word. Encourage people to use the information and downloads on this site to set up their own chapters of GUYS READ, and get people thinking about boys and reading.
There is an anthology of stories wriiten "by guys - for guys" and I went to the "find a book" feature, typed in 'dragons' and came up with 178 recommended books. There are also links to over a hundred websites of authors who write 'boy-friendly' books. Maybe the site would help to 'hook' this reluctant guy reader? I teach 3rd and my boys love this site! Even if your little guy could just use the site at school to spark an interest in a book, he could check it out from the library that day and might be more motivated to read it at home that night. Maybe let him start his own little 'guys read' club and give them a few minutes at the start of the day to talk with each other about what they read the night before. I was also wondering if you thought you might be able to find funding for one of those handheld reading devices that you can download ebooks onto? Maybe the handheld would be motivating? Good luck to you and him! Amy Swan 3rd Grade Teacher Cedar Creek Elementary (913)780-7360 CHECK OUT OUR CLASS WEBPAGE!! http://teachers.olathe.k12.ks.us/~aswancc/ >>> Joy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 03/07/08 5:08 PM >>> Does anyone know of any good on line reading sites that don't require a lot of bandwidth? I have a struggling fourth grade student who will do anything on the computer. We are hoping to find him some reading material on line. He is reading at DRA level 20. He doesn't have a printer, and his Internet connection is dial up. e really need something he can use with a computer to hook him. I have a subscription to Reading A-Z, but I don't think that will inspire him. He likes dragons and magic, and Harry Potter. He's a "boy's boy" if you know what I mean. Adventure, pirates, rough and tumble. He's well liked by his peers, and would rather be a non-reader than be seen with a picture book, or anything he perceives as for babies. Thanks in advance. Joy/NC/4 [EMAIL PROTECTED] How children learn is as important as what they learn: process and content go hand in hand. http://www.responsiveclassroom.org --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSA ********************************************************************** CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is from the Olathe District Schools. The message and any attachments may be confidential or privileged and are intended only for the individual or entity identified above as the addressee. If you are not the addressee, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, you are not authorized to read, copy or distribute this message or any attachments. We ask that you please delete this message and any attachments and notify the sender by return email or by phone (913) 780-7000. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
