Boys & Girls

Blog #8: "Boys & Girls Learn Differently" Final Reflection

I think there is so much I have learned from this book that has really opened my eyes when it comes to being an educator. We know, as human beings, that there are evidential differences between males and females. But when it came to the actual anatomy and the brain structure of our students, it really sparked something in me that made me want to try harder as a teacher. We need to realize the differences, and address them in the classroom in our teaching.

There was so much research that backed up these findings in the brain. Examining the different parts of the male and female brains, and "how they operate" when it comes to certain activities, or mental processes. We always hear about how females mature faster than males, and how males need energy, etc. but it's all certainly true! Sometimes in society, I think we get caught up that "females need to be equal to males" and how there should be no discrimination against the sexes. But in all honesty, in order to succeed better in the classroom, they need to be treated differently. I think it's so important to realize just how different we all are, and how everyone has needs - whether we're talking about children with special needs, or  children without special needs - every child has needs they need addressed in the classroom. And we as educators, are responsible for meeting those needs.

As far as changing my perspective, I think this whole course has really opened my eyes to the differences among us. Growing up in an urban setting, I really thought I understood diversity pretty well. I have many friends who come from many different backgrounds, and I am very accepting, and always was growing up. But I think now that I am a teacher, I am looking at it through a different lens. Maybe I could of treated that one child during student teaching a little more sensitively, maybe I could of come up with a token economy for that difficult class I had during my long-term sub job. All of these things have really showed me that it is a lot of work, but just how rewarding diversity is in our lives as well. We as adults need to learn diversity, and embracing our differences, just as much as our kids do.

I think in "Boys & Girls Learn Differently", there were a lot of lines that I read, and would say "Well... duh." But when you really sit down and think about it? How often are we actually TEACHING that way that we think about in our heads? I know there is so much in my own teaching that needs to be changed... and I am aware of that. We are always self-reflecting, and we are always changing and learning. That's the whole point of our jobs. If you are not willing to learn new things as a teacher, or do the professional development, and better yourself for our kids? Than you don't deserve to be in front of them everyday. It's obvious that boys need to let out their energy in the classroom, and it's obvious the social issues that our children face in the school systems and in their lives. We see them more than their parents do, and we need to educate them to deal with such things.

So when it comes to boys and girls, and teaching them differently? It's something we all need to do. Hands down, they ARE different... so why can't we teach them differently?

Meghan C. Koch