Boys and Girls Learn Differently

1. Boys and Girls Learn Differently Read through the slides. Remember that these slides are just an idea of how it works for some. These ideas are not true in all cases and often boys and girls have a mix of all abilities. Read critically. Think about what might be true for you and what might be a generalization. In your lab book make a 2 column chart as below and list three things you learned about how boys brains work and how girls do.

2. kp007.k12.sd.us/portfolioci/Boys%20Vs%20Girls%20presentation.pptkp007.k12.sd.us/portfolioci/Boys%20Vs%20Girls%20presentation.ppt Boys Vs. Girls Notice I cited!! Don’t borrow from someone and not give credit. How boys and girls learn differently?

3. Overview • Brain Differences • Effects of Hormones • Learning Strategies

5. The Female Brain • Matures earlier • Speak in sentences earlier • Broca’s area & frontal lobe are more active • Improved verbal communication • Cerebrum is always active • Greater ability to multi-task • Corpus callosum is larger • Coordinate the two sides of their brain better • ** Better at listening and communicating

6. The Male Brain • Amygdale is larger • More aggressive behavior • Cerebral cortex is thicker on right side • Better at solving abstract problems • More developed right hemisphere • Better at measuring and using models • ** Better at problem solving and building projects

7. Female Hormones • Progesterone & Estrogen • Make females bond more easily • Fluctuation creates moodiness

8. Male Hormone • Testosterone • Aggressive • Socially ambitious • Muscular

9. Learning Strategies for Girls • Visual learners • Use pictures and charts • Verbal learners • Enjoy talking and discussing topics • Less likely to take risks • Need to be encouraged

10. Learning Strategies for Boys • Kinesthetic learners • Like to be active while learning • Like numbers and symbols • Like to decipher codes, solve pattern games and use formulas to solve problems

11. Observations of Female Students • Girls like background information • Girls like story problems • Girls are more concerned with pleasing adults. • Girls have more concern for their grade

12. Observations of Boys • Boys get bored easily • Boys like to solve equations instead of reading story problems • Confrontation works well with boys • Boys respond well to noisy classrooms

13. Bibliography • Boys vs. girls: Slimming the online gender gap. (2004). Retrieved Feb. 1, 2006, from Xplanazine Web site: http://www.xplanazine.com/archives/2004/06/boys_vs_girls_s_1.php. • Conner, M.L. (1997-2004). Introduction to learning styles. Retrieved form the Ageless Learner Web site: http://agelesslearner.com/intros/lstyleintro.html • Gender differences in learning. (n.d.). Retrieved Jan. 30, 2006, from Equal Opportunities Commission Web site: http://www.eoc.org.hk/TE/edu/gendiff/ • Gurian, M., & Henley, P. (2001). Boys and girls learn differently! Guide for teachers and parents. 1st ed. SanFrancisco: Jossey-Bass. • Gurian, M., & Stevens, K. (2004). With boys and girls in mind. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development,62, 21-26. • Jobe, D. A. (2002). Helping girls succeed. Educational Leadership,60, 64-70. • Kurtz, S. (2005). Can we make boys and girls alike?. City Journal, 15. Retrieved Feb 1, 2006, from city-journal web site: http://www.city-journal.org/html/15_2_boys_girls.html • Partnership for Learning, (n.d.). Learning styles, learning differences. Retrieved Jan. 30, 2006, from Partnership for Learning Web site: http://www.partnershipforlearning.org/category.asp?CategoryID=20 • Peterson, S. (2004). Supporting boys' and girls' literacy learning. Orbit, 34(1), 33-35. • Pomerantz, E., Saxon, J. (2001). Conceptions of abilities stable and self-evaluative processes: a longitudinal examination. Child Development. 72, 152-173. • Sax, L. (2005). Why gender matters. What parents and teachers need to know about the emerging science of sex differences (1st ed.). US: DoubleDay. • Taylor, D., Lorimer, M. (2002).Helping boys succeed. Educational Leadership. 60(4), 68-70.