Gender

Gender in the English Classroom:

“A Significant Instructional Issue”

Rachel ArmockTE 801

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The Typical English Classroom

• According to the U.S. Department of Education's 1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey, 91 percent of the nation's sixth grade reading teachers, and 83 percent of eighth grade reading teachers are female.

• What effect does this have on male students?





A Typical English Classroom

• According to the US Dept. of Ed., the average 11th grade boy is reading at the same level as an 8th grade girl.

• By 2011, there will be 140 women graduating for every 100 men. – Good Odds! ;)



Origins of Gender Difference

• Biology– “The differences between what boys and

girls can do are not large. But the differences in how they do it can be very large indeed.”

– Leonard Sax



Sense of Self

• General Behavior– Boys overestimate abilities– Girls underestimate

– Boys problem solvers, athletes, – Girls- well behaved, social

relationships

– Boys aggressive physically, bullying, competitive

– Girls aggressive socially, gossiping, cooperative



True or Stereotypes?

http://www.watchitsalwayssunny.com/episode.php?numTitle=201

http://www.watchitsalwayssunny.com/episode.php?numTitle=201

Not Exactly True…

• Visual systems

• Hearing systems

• EmotionsQuickTime™ and a

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Some More Gender Origins…

• Socialization/Peer Behaviors– Girls’ friendships

• Conversational• Intimate, personal

– Boys’ friendships• Common activity





Gender Differences

– Physical Activity And Motor Skills

• Boys more active, physical

• Have trouble sitting still

• Less likely to enjoy reading (sedentary)

• More likely to pose discipline problems





Classroom Behavior

• Boys more active participants– Talk more, ask more ?s,

speak out of turn

• Girls more contemplative– Wait until called on

• Relationship with Teacher





Achievement Motivation

• Less likely to graduate (HS, college)

• Risk takers– Girls afraid of failure

• Boys- Math, Physics• Girls- Language, Lit





General Strategies- Boys• Self-selected Reading

• Writing Topics

• The classroom environment

• Use of groups

• Response to work/ideas



General Strategies-Girls

• Smile• Look her in the eye• Don’t yell• Use role-playing• Use emotion



The Typical English Classroom

• According to the U.S. Department of Education's 1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey, 91 percent of the nation's sixth grade reading teachers, and 83 percent of eighth grade reading teachers are female.

• What effect does this have on male students?



“”Don’t be Gender-Blind”