1st+and+6th+grade+gender+project

(6th Grade English) -

Inspired by the ideas espoused in the [|Abigail Norfleet James] lecture, I arranged for my 6th grade English class to visit Amanda Pike's first grade class and serve as reading buddies. Norfleet James suggested that when adolescent boys are put in the role of mentor or caretaker, it brings out more responsibility and focus in their behavior. As Amanda Pike and I observed the interactions, we noticed a change in the energy level of both the sixth and first graders. The male sixth graders took special care to listen to their protegees and demonstrated more awareness of themselves as readers when presenting stories to the younger ones. It was a transforming experience.

Daniel McCormack and two of Amanda Pike's enthused first graders.