These chapters really opened my eyes, not only to the differences in my classroom, but in my own home as well. I have a son and a daughter and when it comes to school work, they are as different as can be. Both are smart, high achieving kids, but they study in such different ways.
For example, I find myself explaining things to my son in ways that he understands, or in ways that interest him. For example, I often compare how things work to the ways farm equipment works, because that is something he is interested in. Or i try to find a rhythmic way to spell out words to help him study for a spelling test. When doing homework, we have to take breaks inbetween subjects so he can refresh and refocus.
My daughter likes things to be more straight forward. We have to sit down and roll through the assignments all at once. She also likes a check sheet so she can see what she has accomplished and what is remaining. There cannot be any distractions, or she will end up in tears. When comparing things to help her understand, it is best to reflect on a memory.
I found it amazing to realize that I use these same little tricks in my classroom. I often try to bond a new idea to something familiar with the boys while using the fantasy side of understanding with the girls. I never paid much attention to it until now.
I never realized that boys needed things to be so concrete. That explains why typically math and science are their best subjects. While girls enjoy the art of fantasy thinking and day dreaming. That only makes sense that they would do better with reading and history.
I am forming lots of ideas of ways to incorporate this new understanding in my classroom. I look forward to reading everyone else's ideas as well.
Sarah Hutson
Comments (5)
I have to agree that we definitely need to keep in mind the different ways that our students learn. In reading about Laurie and Jake there were definitely gender based differences in their learning. I do think, however, that many times both genders cross over these borders. There are girls out there that love the video games and building with blocks and boys that love to dramatize and live in the fantasy world. I think realizing that our students all have different backgrounds of literacy is our first step, and then taking into account that they all have interests that we can use to build their literacy is huge. I think that you will usually see the gender differences mentioned in the book, but if this isn't the case we will be aware through our relationships with our students.
Posted by Angie Sigmon | June 28, 2010 8:16 AM
Posted on June 28, 2010 08:16
Sarah,
after this reading I too made the realization that we alter our instruction based upon the gender of our students. I grew up in a female household so working with boys is a new thing for me. Even though I've been teaching ten years I still am learning new ways to reach my guys.
Posted by Nikki Leggins | June 28, 2010 1:11 PM
Posted on June 28, 2010 13:11
Dear Sarah,
It is amazing how differenly boys and girls learn. I don't have any children of my own yet, but as I observed my sudents even as they played, I often noticed a difference between what the girls play and what the boys play. Many of my girls play house or pretend they are princesses, while the boys play Star Wars games and pretend to hunt things on the playground. So, is it any wonder they learn differently? I guess I knew it all along, but these readings made be think about even more. It also made me think about how I could change some of my approaches for next year.
When I think about chapter 5, it seemed as though Jake not only shared common interests with his dad, but he always seemed to have the same attitude about school as he did. He thought certain things were dumb and so he didn't want to waste his time learning them. I wish he would have adopted more of his mother's opinions about school instead of his dad's.
Reshawna Greene
Posted by Reshawna Greene | June 28, 2010 3:54 PM
Posted on June 28, 2010 15:54
In my family it is amazing how my three children are so different from each other. My oldest son does very well in school because of his hard work, but is not drawn to the typical masculine identities like my middle son. My middle son loves video games and loves to play with his toys and act out scenes from video games and TV shows. He makes a lot of sound effects when he is playing, and like Jake has to be moving around. He also struggles in school more and can be seen as being more immature than my oldest son who acts about ten years older than what he really is. My daughter is the youngest and she does use her imagination, but she acts out her stories just like her brother by making a lot of sound effects. So, I think having older brothers has influenced her. I really think birth order and whether you have brothers or sisters can affect your discourses. So, I think looking at Laurie, Jake and my own three children helps me to see how I can best help my students and how to approach parents positively.
Posted by Trish Edwards | June 28, 2010 4:48 PM
Posted on June 28, 2010 16:48
Sarah,
I agree with your comment about how boys and girls learn so differently. But when you think about it we were taught that way at a very young age. Boys like blue and girls like pink. Boys play with race cars and army men. Girls on the other hand play dress up and have tea parties. Our society and family truly shape who we are and how we view education. As teachers we have the challenging job of making education interesting for both genders. I have found that incorporating lots of group work, partner work, and hands on activities really help all of my students. I also try to give my students a voice in their education. I have noticed that doing this allows my boys to learn something from my girls and my girls to learn things from my boys. We all have something unique to bring to the table; we just have to make sure our students are given the opportunity to show off that uniqueness.
Posted by Emily Rhoney | June 29, 2010 5:51 PM
Posted on June 29, 2010 17:51