The brilliance of Black boys : cultivating school success in the early grades

This much-needed book will help schools and, by extension, society to better understand and identify the promise, potential, and possibilities of Black boys. Drawing from their wealth of experience in early childhood education, the authors present an asset- and strengths-based view of educating Black boys. This positive approach enables practitioners and school leaders to recognize, understand, and cultivate the diversity of social skills of Black boys in the early grades (pre-K–3rd grade). Each chapter begins with a vignette to illustrate what is lost when Black boys are prevented from participating freely in boyhood, having to instead attend to adult and peer interactions and attitudes that view them as "bad boys" and "troublemakers." This accessible book provides teachers with classroom strategies to help young Black boys achieve their highest potential, along with other resources for supporting their social-emotional development, such as a reading list of authentic multicultural children's books with Black boys as protagonists. "The Brilliance of Black Boys claims new ground to advance knowledge and practice that can change the narrative about Black boys and their early schooling." —From the Foreword by James Earl Davis, Temple University "Wright's uncommon insight into the world of Black boys unveils a new narrative and gives educators a formula for turning opportunity into advantage." —Carol Brunson Day, past president, NAEYC "The Brilliance of Black Boys provides counter-stories, theories, paradigms, and resources to skillfully illustrate the strengths of Black boys. Readers will not be disappointed." —Donna Y. Ford, Vanderbilt University This Much-needed Book Will Help Schools And, By Extension, Society To Better Understand And Identify The Promise, Potential, And Possibilities Of Black Boys. Drawing From Their Wealth Of Experience In Early Childhood Education, The Authors Present An Asset- And Strengths-based View Of Educating Black Boys. This Positive Approach Enables Practitioners And School Leaders To Recognize, Understand, And Cultivate The Diversity Of Social Skills Of Black Boys In The Early Grades (pre-k–3rd Grade). Each Chapter Begins With A Vignette To Illustrate What Is Lost When Black Boys Are Prevented From Participating Freely In Boyhood, Having To Instead Attend To Adult And Peer Interactions And Attitudes That View Them As “bad Boys” And “troublemakers.” This Accessible Book Provides Teachers With Classroom Strategies To Help Young Black Boys Achieve Their Highest Potential, Along With Other Resources For Supporting Their Social-emotional Development, Such As A Reading List Of Authentic Multicultural Children’s Books With Black Boys As Protagonists. -- Provided By Publisher. Introduction; Black Boyhood Interrupted And Disrupted In Early Childhood; Conceptual Framework Of Success For Black Boys; A Note About Terminology And Perspective; Reframing The Narrative About African American Boys In Early Childhood; Overview -- Chapter 1: Black Boys' Experiences In School And Out Of School; Black Boys In School And Out Of School; Consequences Of Perceptions Of Culpability Of Black Boys; Education Denied: Statistics On Suspensions And Expulsion; Race And Gender In The Classroom; The Broken Pipeline: Black Boys And Teacher Attitudes; How The Pipeline Is Primed: Underrepresentation In Gifted Education, Overrepresentation In Discipline And Special Education; A Culturally Responsive Strength-based Approach; Quality Early Education And Care: An Overview; Conclusion -- Chapter 2: Early Childhood Experiences Of Black Boys In School; Preschool Education; School Discipline Hubs And Black Boys; Black Boys: A Closer Look; Black Boys And Teacher Attitudes; Rethinking School Readiness (for Whom? And For What?); Valuing Everyday Language Practices; Black Boys And Stem; Conclusion -- Chapter 3: Creating A Culture Of Success; Classroom Culture: What Does It Mean And Why Does It Matter?; A Classroom Cultural Framework: A Continuum Of Three Models; The Intersection Of Attachment And Expectations With Epigenetics; Teacher Candidates And Teachers Discounting Data: A Case In Point; Boot Camps And Factories Dominate Black Boys' Experiences; Constructivist Teachers: Empathetic Community Mentors; Conclusion -- Chapter 4: Developing Self-identity And Agency In Black Boys; Who Are Black Boys? Ending Deficit-oriented Narratives; The More We Know, The Less We Make Up; Self-identity, Agency, And Community Agency And Black Boys; Mirror Books Versus Window Books: Reflection Matters; National Council For The Social Studies Standards; Engaging Black Boys Using Multicultural Children's Literature; Authentic Children's Books Promote Self-identity And Agency; Conclusion -- Chapter 5: Classroom Strategies For Success With Black Boys; High-quality, Evidence-based Approaches Used In Constructivist, Culturally Responsive, Democratic Learning Communities; Conclusion -- Appendix; Resources For Building Cultural Competence In Early Childhood Teachers. Academic/professional Journals Authentic Multicultural Children's Books With Black Boys As Protagonists; Early Childhood/child Development Websites For Teachers; Professional Associations/organizations And Conferences And Symposia; Education Centers And Institutes; Research Reports On Black Males; Black Male Teacher Initiatives; Spotlight On A Current Black Male Initiative: W.e.b. Dubois Academy; References; Index; About The Authors. Brian L. Wright With Shelly L. Counsell ; Foreword By James Earl Davis. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

This much-needed book will help schools and, by extension, society to better understand and identify the promise, potential, and possibilities of Black boys. Drawing from their wealth of experience in early childhood education, the authors present an asset- and strengths-based view of educating Black boys. This positive approach enables practitioners and school leaders to recognize, understand, and cultivate the diversity of social skills of Black boys in the early grades (pre-K–3rd grade). Each chapter begins with a vignette to illustrate what is lost when Black boys are prevented from participating freely in boyhood, having to instead attend to adult and peer interactions and attitudes that view them as “bad boys” and “troublemakers.” This accessible book provides teachers with classroom strategies to help young Black boys achieve their highest potential, along with other resources for supporting their social-emotional development, such as a reading list of authentic multicultural children’s books with Black boys as protagonists.

“The Brilliance of Black Boys claims new ground to advance knowledge and practice that can change the narrative about Black boys and their early schooling.”
—From the Foreword by James Earl Davis, Temple University

“Wright’s uncommon insight into the world of Black boys unveils a new narrative and gives educators a formula for turning opportunity into advantage.”
—Carol Brunson Day, past president, NAEYC

“The Brilliance of Black Boys provides counter-stories, theories, paradigms, and resources to skillfully illustrate the strengths of Black boys. Readers will not be disappointed.”
—Donna Y. Ford, Vanderbilt University

This much-needed book will help schools and, by extension, society to better understand and identify the promise, potential, and possibilities of Black boys. Drawing from their wealth of experience in early childhood education, the authors present an asset- and strengths-based view of educating Black boys. This positive approach enables practitioners and school leaders to recognize, understand, and cultivate the diversity of social skills of Black boys in the early grades (pre-K-3rd grade). Each chapter begins with a vignette to illustrate what is lost when Black boys are prevented from participating freely in boyhood, having to instead attend to adult and peer interactions and attitudes that view them as "bad boys" and "troublemakers." This accessible book provides teachers with classroom strategies to help young Black boys achieve their highest potential, along with other resources for supporting their social-emotional development, such as a reading list of authentic multicultural children's books with Black boys as protagonists. Book features: (1) Challenges deficit views of Black boys in order to transform the way schools and society think, talk, and write about them; (2) Provides culturally responsive strategies for engaging Black boys and fostering healthy self-identity and agency; (3) Discusses the importance of critical self-reflection to examine attitudes and practices that inform how teachers engage with children and families; and (4) Examines how school officials, beginning in early childhood, can stop the adultification and criminalization of Black boys. [This book was written with Shelly L. Counsell. A foreword by James Earl Davis is included.] This much-needed book will help schools and, by extension, society to better understand and identify the promise, potential, and possibilities of Black boys. Drawing from their wealth of experience in early childhood education, the authors present an asset- and strengths-based view of educating Black boys. This positive approach enables practitioners and school leaders to recognize, understand, and cultivate the diversity of social skills of Black boys in the early grades (pre-K–3rd grade). Each chapter begins with a vignette to illustrate what is lost when Black boys are prevented from participating freely in boyhood, having to instead attend to adult and peer interactions and attitudes that view them as "bad boys" and "troublemakers." This accessible book provides teachers with classroom strategies to help young Black boys achieve their highest potential, along with other resources for supporting their social-emotional development, such as a reading list of authentic multicultural children's books with Black boys as protagonists.__"The Brilliance of Black Boys__ claims new ground to advance knowledge and practice that can change the narrative about Black boys and their early schooling."—From the Foreword by James Earl Davis, Temple University"Wright's uncommon insight into the world of Black boys unveils a new narrative and gives educators a formula for turning opportunity into advantage."—Carol Brunson Day, past president, NAEYC__"The Brilliance of Black Boys__ provides counter-stories, theories, paradigms, and resources to skillfully illustrate the strengths of Black boys. Readers will not be disappointed."—Donna Y. Ford, Vanderbilt University 2018 NAME Philip C. Chinn Book Award Winner! This much-needed book will help schools and, by extension, society to better understand and identify the promise, potential, and possibilities of Black boys. Drawing from their wealth of experience in early childhood education, the authors present an asset- and strengths-based view of educating Black boys. This positive approach enables practitioners and school leaders to recognize, understand, and cultivate the diversity of social skills of Black boys in the early grades (pre-K3rd grade). Each chapter begins with a vignette to illustrate what is lost when Black boys are prevented from participating freely in boyhood, having to instead attend to adult and peer interactions and attitudes that view them as bad boys and troublemakers. This accessible book provides teachers with classroom strategies to help young Black boys achieve their highest potential, along with other resources for supporting their social-emotional development, such as a reading list of authentic multicultural childrens books with Black boys as protagonists. Book