Table 11

On having an effect on the boy's literacy On having an effect on the girls' literacy On being a make role model in an elementary school
  • It feels good to help
  • It took a while to get anything out of the boys but now they are coming up with some good ideas for responses
  • Boys seem to get very involved depending on book selection
  • Literacy rate has improved as well as the excitement of us being there
  • The boys do like drawing more than writing
  • Not very noticeable because we do not have one on one
  • I think the girls' were a little more open from the start, just watching them compared to the boys when they are writing, they are much neater
  • Girls enjoy the activities and creative aspects
  • Same as boys but not as intense.
  • The girls seem to be more advanced
  • Be open to questions
  • Didn't seem like a big deal at first, but as the weeks went on we could see they were anxious to see us
  • Learned that kids usually respond well to us if we encourage participation
  • Amount of influence on the children
  • Those children enjoy the readings
  • Taught me that the kids are expecting you and are anxious to see you
  • How important we are to these kids

The mentors were aware of gender differences in reading responses. As for being role models, the mentors were modest and thought it was 'no big deal'. However, they did recognize the lack of men in the elementary school.