Mentoring Boys - The official website of Barry Macdonald author of Boy Smarts

Boy Smarts is a one-of-a-kind book that helps you understand boys and how to work with them rather than against them.

This book is written with clarity and heartfelt understanding – it asks illuminating questions that evoke dialogue and optimistic action.

“As I travel throughout Canada and the world, I become increasingly aware that boys are falling behind girls in academic achievement. I commend Barry MacDonald for stimulating focused inquiry and dialogue about the varied learning needs of boys who struggle at school. This gender gap requires the urgent attention of school leaders.”

- Dr. Avis Glaze
Ontario’s Education Commissioner and Senior Advisor to the Minister
of Education
Secretariat for Literacy and Numeracy and recipient of The Order of Ontario

“I enjoyed a great PD day with Barry MacDonald – engaged and active learning strategies, collaborating with parents, and positive ways to connect with all students.”

- Barry Krangle, Parent and Teacher, Sunshine Coast

“MacDonald’s powerful and impressive keynote address set a wonderful tone for our annual child care conference. His ability to reach our delegates through humour and storytelling is commendable. People wanted more of Barry. We can’t wait to have him back.”
- Karen Norman, Deputy Director, OPTIONS: Services to Communities Society, Surrey

Summer Institutes
Garner powerful prevention, intervention and support strategies to help boys step-by-step become triumphant and successful learners
   • Vancouver – 2 day
   • Vernon – 1 day
   • Grand Forks – 1 day
For registration details click here

Please note that our offices are closed June 18 – July 8

New Parenting Workshop!
Boy Smarts Action Talk - How to talk so boys will listen and listen so boys will talk. October 4 and November 8, 2008.
For registration details click here

In The News...

How can we help boys - and other non-traditional learners - read better?

Struggling with this question, a recent interview with three adolescent boys about their experiences of schooling at a teacher conference offered insight. The boys talked about their tribulations at home and school. They also discussed their conflicts with traditional classroom learning.

More positively, they reported on their interest and receptivity in active inquiry that is visually engaging.

The May Boy Smarts Newsletter explores this topic further and responds to a parental concern about her underachieving son – a visual learner.

The current newsletter recommends a number of ideas that can help make learning more fun for students who think more in pictures than in words.

To read more be sure to sign up for the Boy Smarts Newsletter.

Boy Smarts Action Study Guide
Revitalize teacher inquiry & stimulate success among boys!
With 4 options for purchase…
Click here

Boy Smarts reviewed by major American Psychology Journal!
If you are a parent or teacher of boys, Boys Smarts is smart reading. It may turn out to be the single most important book in your childrens early school life.

Click For Articles From Past Newsletters