Learning Differences of Boys and Girls

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Learning Differences of Boys and Girls
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Boys and Girls Learn Differently!

• A Guide for Teachers and Parents
• By Michael Gurian and Patricia Henley
• With Terry Trueman
• Published by Jossey-Bass
• A Wiley Company
• San Francisco, CA 2001

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The male and female brain
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Female Brain Development and Structure

• Female brain begins to mature earlier than the
  male brain
• Absorb more sensory data
• More self-monitoring concerning high risk
  activities
• More development of the left hemisphere of the
  brain
• Increased verbal advantage

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Male Brain Development and Structure

• There is greater development of the right
  hemisphere
• Increasing their spatial abilities and allowing
  them to excel in mechanical design, math, and
  geography
• Males are more prone to show aggression
• Partly due to difficulty verbalizing

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Chemical and Hormonal Differences

• Serotonin levels are higher in girls than boys
• Contributes to impulsivity and restlessness many
  boys face
• Girls have high levels of estrogen and
  progesterone
• Bond first and ask questions later
• Boys have high levels of testosterone
• Aggression and sex-drive

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How does it work?

• Girls blood flow moves from the left side to the
  top of the brain
• Where complex thought occurs
• Never at rest
• A clear learning advantage

• Boys blood flow moves from the right side down to
  the brain stem
• Fight or flight area of the brain
• task focus
• Only concerned about task at hand

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Girls are so emotional! (and so are boys)

• Boys require a longer time period to process
  emotion
• The disadvantage being missed learning
  opportunities
• More emotionally fragile than girls

• Girls collect and process emotional stimulants
  quicker
• They are able to discuss their emotions and work
  through them
• Easily overwhelmed by the amount

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In the classroom
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Pre-K and Kindergarten

• Boys
• Need extra work on fine motor skills
• Allow a lot of manipulative activities
• Teach to use emotion laden words

• Girls
• Need a lot of movement related games
• Team building to help girls assume leadership
  roles
• Puzzles to facilitate perceptual learning

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Boys in the elementary classroom

• Direct energy toward academics
• Make arrangements for incorporating movement into
  the schedule
• Allow extra room in work areas
• Encourage bonding between student and teacher

• Build imagination
• Lots of stories and myth making
• Provide opportunities for verbalization
• Look for positive male role models
• Advocate for boys issues in school as well as in
  the community

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Girls in the elementary classroom

• Early math using manipulatives
• This is also recommended for science
• Access to technology
• Computers and internet

• Connect math and science with journal writing
• Encourage healthy amounts of competition

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Boys in the middle grades

• Create strategies for quick tension release
• Separate gender activities
• When appropriate
• Rites of passage

• Team discipline
• Consistently applied throughout the school
• Group work and pair work
• Strong male role models

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Girls in the middle grades

• Be aware of hormonal and brain development
• Teach math and science with a hands on approach
• Use separate sex classes when appropriate

• Encourage class participation
• Have high academic and social expectations
• Students will rise to meet expectations
• Female role models in the school

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High School Classrooms

• A continuation of responding to specific gender
  needs
• Strong role models, character education, and
  separate sex activities are all still strongly
  recommended

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Why is this important?

• Middle school teachers need to be responsive to
  the developmental needs of their students
• This particular book covers the past, present and
  future development of young adolescents
• This book also contains, at the end of each
  section, a guide for parents

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What do we do with it?

• Be an advocate for gender specific issues within
  the community
• Offer assistance to parents, referring them to
  specific chapters, to help them understand their
  children
• Be a link and a valuable resource for students
  between home, school, and community

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Boys and Girls Learn Differently!

• A Guide for Parents and Teachers by Michael Gurian

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Designed by Karen Perry

• Teaching Young Adolescents
• Dr. Tracy Smith, Instructor
• 18 May 2004