“There is an abundance of research telling us how to develop a lasting interest in reading among boys,” said Mike Lavelle, K–12 President, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “Pair-It Extreme is a first-of-its-kind endeavor to make this research both applicable in the classroom and effective for the students who use it, while transforming the way boys think about reading.”

A recent study of Pair-It Extreme by the Educational Research Institute of America (ERIA) revealed that students, both male and female, who used Pair-It Extreme saw significant increases in reading achievement; however, these effects were significantly larger for boys. The study tested second graders in two separate schools, each located in metropolitan areas. Assessments were given before using Pair-It Extreme and after 20 weeks of instruction with the program. The results were impressive, as researchers concluded that male student attitudes toward language arts and reading were significantly more positive at the conclusion of the program.ⁱ

Research shows that sparking boys’ interest in reading, while sometimes difficult, can prove vital to their future success as well as prevent many behavioral problems. Consequently, Pair-It Extreme focuses primarily on generating and maintaining boys’ enthusiasm for reading, and includes benefits for boys and girls alike. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt presents a program which innovatively merges reading with boys’ affinity for computer games and graphics by incorporating 3D computer-generated artwork into each book. This cutting-edge artwork enhances a series of action-adventure stories whose recurring characters use ingenuity, teamwork and critical thinking to solve problems across thematically connected fiction and nonfiction texts.

The Pair-It Extreme series features 120 titles with innovative Five Pillars Plus instruction, developed in collaboration with consulting author Dr. Michael F. Opitz, literacy expert and professor at the University of Northern Colorado. Five Pillars Plus instruction develops key reading strategies while engaging the whole child by including strategies for critical thinking, listening, speaking and writing. The program also includes interactive software that emphasizes vocabulary, comprehension and the link between reading and writing. Additional resources include the Home-School Exchange feature, which allows parents to be active and supportive in their child’s reading development, and Critical Thinking Cards, which spark discussion and engagement for boys.

For more information about Pair-It Extreme, please visit www.hmheducation.com/pix.