1 of 23

Write now Article Tools

Page 4 of 5

their bloodstream, which causes a predisposition to escalating risky behavior. Boys process more blood in the part of the brain that controls doing and physical action, the cerebellum. Brain researchers believe that this accounts for boys' tendency to learn less well than girls when sitting stoic. (Utsey, 2005) In classrooms across the country more stress is being placed on the acquisition of language arts skills and often times importance is placed on sitting in silence during instruction and not interrupting the flow of the lesson as it was designed. It is here where the need for differentiation becomes glaringly evident when one considers what we have learned about the difference in the brain structure of boys and girls. (Tyre, 2005)

Boys are more likely to learn when their learning is attached to physical movement. Because boys' hippocampus area of their brain works different from girls, they are predisposed to the need for more time to take in information particularly when memorization is involved. By and large, auditorily boys have a propensity to take in less information than their female counterparts. Boys pigeonhole their brain activity, which means overall they use less of the brain. In fact, their brains function with 15 percent less blood flow than girls, which means they do better when working for extended periods on one task in which depth of learning takes place. (Utsey, 2005)

In looking at this information and these studies, teachers can understand better the differences in the ways boys and girls learn and hopefully will be able to address their needs through differentiation in instruction within the classroom. Now here is the question. How do we address the various needs of boys and girls in order to diminish behavior referrals and to enhance boys' experiences in the classroom environment, while still promoting language arts and writing and continuing to keep girls on a pathway to success? When boys opt for activity and respond impulsively, the tendency is for them to be disciplined and when it becomes severe enough, they are removed from the classroom where they lose precious time being exposed to lessons.

On the positive side, we are moving more in favor of a active classroom environments. As an elementary school teacher, it disheartens me when I see others teaching children using worksheets. Children are not wired to work while sitting at their desks quietly. However, worksheets become a comfort zone for many teachers especially with the

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Equality in education?
We want to hear your view. Write now!