Both of these articles dealt with teenagers finding their "voice," or a way of expressing themselves freely. Both groups of students felt freer to express themselves when surrounded by students similar to their own selves. I feel they felt more accepted and also felt that the students who were similar to their own selves were more than likely feeling the same emotions and having the same thoughts and questions. I loved the way both researchers found different things, pertinent to the lives of the students they were studying, to "reach," "teach," and help the students find their "voices." Such things were different books, movies, etc. that contained characters similar to the students or situations similar to those the students were facing.
While I was reading these articles, I started thinking about my own school. Our 6th grade divides classes by gender. The teachers say the students are able to be themselves without worrying about "impressing" the other gender. They also say the girls, especially, are more verbal when surrounded by other girls, instead of boys, who tease them when they open up in class. This shows that gender groups are not only beneficial for minority groups, but for all groups. These 2 articles helped me understand the logic behind separating by gender a little better. Marsha Warren
Comments (5)
Wow! I was surprised by how you mentioned that the 6th grade classes are separated by gender. I knew that there were many single-sex schools but now I've had to readjust my thinking to this idea working in our public school system. While it does seem a little unusual you are correct that it could be a valuable strategy for helping young adults build a stronger, well developed self-concept. I wonder is this something that has gone on at your school for a while or has it been newly instated?
Posted by Nikki Leggins | June 14, 2010 11:37 PM
Posted on June 14, 2010 23:37
I find it very interesting that your school seperates students by gender. Is this something that only occurs in 6th grade? I have heard of this being done in some schools. I was under the assumption that this occurred in middle school. Do the boys have a male teacher. The article that I have read about gender seperation is so the boys have a male teacher. They are supposed to be more successful in that setting.
Posted by Erin Whisnant | June 15, 2010 4:27 PM
Posted on June 15, 2010 16:27
Having gender grouping was very successful for the students in the research study. I can understand seperating gender for some teaching and discussion. I do not believe that it would be beneficial for all students to do that. Young adults need to be able to interact with different genders in a postive way. I wonder what would have happened if Henry or Staples included the opposite sex in some of their discussions. Would the students clam up or would they have been responsive and held a discussion with different gender same culture?
Posted by Angie Somers | June 15, 2010 4:32 PM
Posted on June 15, 2010 16:32
I can't believe your school separates the boys and girls in the sixth grade. Was this their first year of doing this? I would love to know how that worked out. My niece and two nephews went to a single-sex school by choice. All three are very well rounded children and made excellent grades in school. I wonder if other schools in the area will consider separating the boys in girls in upper elementary grades?
Posted by Pam Aubuchon | June 15, 2010 4:37 PM
Posted on June 15, 2010 16:37
I thought I would post a reply because there were so many comments/questions about gender grouping in our school. They have done this for probably 3 years now. The teachers and students love it. There is not a male teacher- only females. They only "gender group" for math and language arts. The other subjects are heterogeneously grouped. They say they can really tell a difference in male language arts scores and that the girls are scoring better on math now that they are grouping this way.
Posted by Marsha Warren | June 15, 2010 9:47 PM
Posted on June 15, 2010 21:47