I found this TED talk this weekend and some of the ideas around Boys and Education struck me particularly the discipline data, students with disabilities data, and the number of boys we see our office vs. girls. I would like to know your team's thoughts about her implications for schools and our classrooms as they relate to educating boys at North Asheboro Middle School.
I've waited to respond to this one just to see what others' thoughts are, but I'll wait no more! I became passionate about the way boys learn the moment I discovered I had a son who was "all boy". It didn't take long for me to realize that boys learn differently than girls and that learning differently isn't wrong, it's just different. Boys are, by their very nature, more active than girls. They tend to be kinesthetic learners and truly need to move in order to learn. Making them be still causes them to no longer be able to process what is being said. I know this is true because I have lived it for 16 years! Just because a boy needs to move does not mean he is ADHD, he means he is a BOY! If we continue to force boys to "do school" like girls, then boys will continue to be disengaged and lose interest. In the book, "The Minds of Boys", author Michael Gurian shares some frightening statistics. He says that fewer than 40% of students enrolled in 4 year college programs are male and that number is on the decline. According to the statistics given in this video, that number is currently closer to 30%. This trend could have a devastating impact on our economy. As educators we should see this as a call to action. If we don't direct our focus toward engaging our boys, we will continue to see them become more and more disengaged. What does this mean for us at NAMS? It means it's time to change our conversations and try something different. We have great kids at NAMS, but we all have boys who are there because they have to be. How can we make it so they are there because they WANT to be?
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me acknowledge that I do understand that there are differences between boys and girls--rather obvious differences. However, let me state what I believe to be an even more obvious and compelling point--our responsibility as educators is to prepare boys and girls to live together in society. Separating boys from girls in school takes us away from that primary charge in the name of raising student test scores. This is problematic for two reasons: 1) it distracts us from the broader, bolder approach to education that we need--fostering caring, responsibility, self-discipline, and citizenship along with economic well-being, and 2) it bases what we do in schools on the very narrow plank of academic achievement as measured by standardized tests. This raises a further question. If every student in your school was "proficient," would you be satisfied as an educator? Would your kids be what you want them to be? Would society be that much better off?
ReplyDeleteOne argument for separating boys from girls at school is that boys need a classroom space where they can be boys. Another is that schools are tailored to the needs of girls, perhaps because they are mostly operated by women. Instead of separating students by gender, I'd suggest we work extra hard at making all classroom receptive, welcoming, and accessible to all kids--that our standard be that all classrooms are truly accommodating that teaches a broad-based curriculum about our similarities and differences as human beings.
Thanks for contributing Dr. Lashley! I obviously have some thoughts, BUT I would prefer for my phenomenal staff to take a stab at your much appreciated opinion. While I agree with you on so many levels, I think there's more to the story....I look forward to this conversation as we continue to explore the learning needs of boys AND girls!
ReplyDeleteThis topic has always interested me! It's time educators realize that there are differences betweeen boys and girls AS WELL AS differences between girls and girls or boys and boys. Too often we catorgize students because of their gender. There are lots of active girls as well who need move as they learn. This is why it is so important that teachers understand their students and how they learn. We cannot expect them all to be quiet learners who sit all day and absorb our words!
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