I came across this article and thought it would spark some thought and discussion. Being the father of a boy and a girl I can attest that there is a difference. We had the option of putting my son in a full day kindergarten class but passed on the opportunity. This would have been too much for him to handle. He needed more down time and time to just run and play. My daugher however was just the opposite. She looked forward to being in class all day.
How does this affect your classroom? Do you plan for the differences in boys and girls? Do you alter your teaching style or do you have students alter their learning style?
3 responses so far ↓
While I think there are inherent differences between boys and girls, the difference between individuals seems to cross gender lines. Some kids are more likely to appear ready for school/learning while others are not. Teaching styles need to be tailored to the learning style of each kid. To say that I am going to teach girls one way and boys another I believe does a disservice to all students. Isn’t creating these type of artificial “buckets” a teaching leagacy we are trying to get away from? But hey, what do I know; I’m just a technology guy. ; )
As teachers the difference between boys and girls and how they approach learning seems obvious yet how easily we can forget to make adjustments. I found myself guilty of this a couple of years ago. I knew better but was unable to make the changes. Why? Time limits, not enough school time. I found the group very difficult to manage, no matter what changes I made they just never seem to work. I had no choice but to keep a very tight rein on them and I had to be more structured thant I personally felt comfortable with. That year my parent support was not great, it was about THEIR CHILD and had trouble seeing learning as a community of learners who were all valued not just THEIR CHILD.
However, this year I have very young boys and a group of girls that I feel I can offer them the best of both worlds. They complement each other, the girls have my young boys (whom had very limited fine-motor skills) sitting with them during their free time coloring and chit-chatting. They set themselves up by going to the construction center and getting old puppet sheets, finding a table and grabbing containers of markers.
Having options and a variety of centers e.g. games, paper work, different types of tools, etc. helps. Crossing out their name on the I Did It list did not appeal to them but a ticket for MathJobs or Reader’s Workshop appeals to them.
I did ask how the ticket method felt or worked for them and the boys’ feedback was “I don’t get stuck in one activity only.” Funny, but they made that choice, the ticket reminded them to do something else. I think the girls were content to have the boys settle down. Note* Most of my students came wanting to learn.
I don’t think there are absolutes but it is important to always remember the key points of the article, look at you kids and adjust. And boys can have some of the girls behaviors and visa versa. Teaching is adjusting, adjusting, adjusting, and keeping the learning balanced. And most important we are working with real human beings not just with their minds but their hearts, and spirit.
I was at a planning meeting for high school graduation last night. Our discussions went around about the differences between raising sons and daughters. As the general consensus went….it was much easier raising sons than daughters…..so as I am teaching in my classroom I remember that but it sure seems like I have more difficulty with the boys than the girls as far as learnings and behaviors on a whole.
Leave a Comment