First Thoughts

This article by Margaret Wente suggests what she thinks that boys want.....

http://motivatingboywriters.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/what-boys-need.html

1.  Boys need to have a good relationship with the teacher.
2.  Boys will only stay engaged as long as the work interests them.
3.  Boys need purpose, to make a difference, to know they measure up.
4.  Boys need challenge, above all, a need for a meaningful vocation.
5.  Boys need purposeful work.
6.  Boys want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
7.  Boys love rituals, trophies and tradition.

HERE IS WHAT I AM THINKING...

1. I will spend the first sessions trying to get to know the boys and for them to know me. Sharing the things that I am interested in, particularly around writing- books I have written- the journey to creation, the feeling about that work being done. Finding out the sorts of things the boys want to talk about, to write about? 
2. Leading from #1 finding out what the boys are interested in as a starter for writing. Things like.... sports, cars, farting, being grubby, family....
3. Needing a purpose- share what we are being out together to achieve, how we are learning together with eLearning tools. Finding out about them, base line data.
4. Challenge- find the goals that are achievable, not aspirational.
5. Purposeful, authentic work- the commitment to publish and get feedback through blogging/ quadblogging
6. I'd love to see a collaborative book published in iTunes written by the boys- updated each term- with photos.
7. Structure each of the writing sessions, the golden pen award for the best sentence/ piece of writing of the day.