Boys and Girls Together: Differentiation with a Gender Focus
Introduction Factoids Caution!
Differentiation What is it? How do you do it?
Gender Implications
Boys and Girls
Differences
Tiering Assignments
Tier with Gender Focus
Gender Tic-Tac-Toe
Content Strategies
Social Studies
English/Language
ArtsMath Science
Different Genders, Same
Strategies
Works for both
Genders…
…For Different Reasons
Dr. Dave KommerAshland University
NMSA 2011
4444
Boys and Girls Together: Differentiation with a Gender FocusBy:Dr. Dave KommerAshland University
ELECTRONICRESOURCES
All resources used in this workshop,
are available on my wiki site
http:amleboysandgirls.pbworks.com
Some Quick Factoids!
Men, women and chimpanzees!Size doesn’t matterBut who’s counting?Women have more connections than men.Women have more to say.Side by side
Caution!
None of these interesting notions suggests that either gender has a cognitive advantage.
The important thing to remember is: There are differences They may be significant And, they result in different learning needs.
Differentiation
What is it? Creating multiple paths to learning so all learners…
receive essentially the same curriculum have opportunities to work within strengths and to
strengthen weak abilities take responsibility for their own learning
What it isn’t. Dumbing down curriculum
How do you do it?
Identify essential learning targets Think about your students’ needs
Readiness Interest Profile Ability
Design and give pre-assessment Design final assessment Create/modify learning activities based on data from
pre-assessment Deliver tiered instruction Assess and Reflect
These all have gender implications!
Wiki: Differences
BrainstormWhat are some differences you see in the classroom between boys and girls?Boys…Girls…
Gender Implications
BOYS Have trouble discovering their
best way to learn Competitive Active Risk takers Physical Use non-verbal communication Spatial Math & Science Are more confident than they
should be, or less Lack emotional language Influenced by the media
GIRLS Generally like to please the teacher Cooperative Relationships Use communication Non-risk takers Less physical Linguistic Language Arts & Social Studies Deal better with emotions View selves through the perceptions of
others Hear better Better able to read the emotions of
others Influenced by the media
Tiering Lesson with Gender in mind: Two Options
Basic Tiered Assignment with Gender Focus
Tic-Tac-Toe with Gender Focus
Social Studies
BOYS
Open-ended projects that allow them to build mod-els or re-enact events
Learn what it means to “be a man”
Debate
GIRLS
Narratives of historical characters of interest to
girls Letters to historical
characters Plays about historical
events Projects about women
in history
Language Arts
BOYS
Choice of reading material Prefer action and humor
to relationships Allow writing that gives
vent to aggressive ten-den-cies
Boys’ Writing or Reading Clubs
Build models and then write about it
GIRLS
Assignments should help girls explore rites-of-pas-sage
Discuss emotions Girls Writing or Reading
Clubs Journals Diaries
Mathematics
BOYS
Math Dictionary Helps keep organized
Word Problems Change spatial nature of
math to language Math Group Projects
Structure to be active and practical
GIRLS
Math Dictionary Gives girls word symbols
instead of numbers Word Problems
Based on literacy strengths
Math Group Projects Use varied methods Multi-modal: verbal, visual,
tactile
Science
BOYS
When doing experi-ments: Go over minimum safety
rules Give brief instructions Let boys loose to explore Answer questions as they
arise Blow things up
GIRLS
When doing experiments: Go over safety rules Give complete and struc-
tured instructions Monitor as they proceed
Provide support or al-terna-tives to animal dis-sections
All Subjects/Both Genders(different reasons)
BOYS
Separate genders when appropriate
Cooperative Groups Are active and engaging Boys need prompting to stay on
task Problems with leadership and fol-
lower-ship Character Education
(Advisory) Helps boys find emotional liter-
acy Allows boys to deal with taboo top-
ics
GIRLS
Separate genders when appro- priate
Cooperative Groups Girls like the interchange Need guidance to stay focused on
task Can be mean to others both in
and out of group Character Education (Advisory)
Help girls build positive relationships
Discuss with them problems with viewing selves through perceptions of others
All Subjects/Both Genders
BOYS
Note-taking Boys do not know what to write Therefore, tend to write nothing Strategies
Buddy notes Class notes
Do not call on boys as a class- room management techni- que (Gotcha)
Tension release activities Kush balls, tension balls, rubber
bands, etc
GIRLS
Note-taking Girls want to write every-
thing down Strategies
Buddy notes Class notes
Call on girls at the same rate as boys
Prompt girls just like boys
All Subjects/Both Genders
BOYS
Computers: boys like them but use them for games and Internet. Have boys use computer as
a communication tool Instant messaging Pen pals MySpace (or similar)
Graphic Organizers Spatial representation of
information
GIRLS
Computers: girls use them as tools by IM-ing and look-ing up media celebrities on the Internet. Have girls use computers as
research tool Data management (Excel) Computer Assisted Design
Graphic Organizers Helps girls see information in
new ways
All Subjects/Both Genders
BOYS
Media Literacy Incorporate media literacy
into classes as appropri-ate Discuss images of women Discuss images of mascul-
inity Evaluate advertising and
the techniques used to sell prod-ucts
GIRLS
Media Literacy Incorporate media literacy
into classes as appropriate Discuss images of women
Focus on looks Position relative to men
Evaluate advertising and the techniques used to sell prod-ucts
Wiki: Strategies
What are some strategies you can think of or use which are gender appropriate?
Resources
CEU Code:
Session # 14504: Boys and Girls Together