The Boys and Girls Learn Differently Action Guide for Teachers

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments xv Introduction 1 Applying Brain-based Research 1 Boys and Girls Learn Differently! 2 Using this Guide 2 The Contents of this Guide 3 1 Background: How the Brain Learns 7 Inherent Differences between Boys’ and Girls’ Brains 8 Developmental and Structural Differences 9 Chemical and Hormonal Differences 10 Functional Differences 11 Differences in Processing Emotion 13 Why there are Differences between Male and Female Brains 14 A Brief History of Brain Differences 14 Hormones in Utero and at Puberty 15 How Brain-based Differences Affect Boys and Girls 16 Learning-Style Differences 16 Learning Differences and the Intelligences 21 Applying Brain-based Gender Research 23 Academic Performance and Classroom Behavior 23 Reading and Writing Competence 24 Test Scores 24 Psychological, Learning, and Behavioral Disorders 25 Maturity, Discipline, and Behavior 26 Educational Aspirations 26 Athletics and Extracurricular Activities 27 Cultural Gender Bias 27 Sexual Abuse and Violence 28 2 Bonding and Attachment 29 Preschool and Kindergarten 29 Handling Children’s Emotional Stress 30 Bonding and Attachment Solutions 30 Elementary School 34 Bonding and Attachment Activities 34 Handling Students’ Emotional Stress 37 The Role of the Mentor 40 Middle School 42 The Early Adolescent’s Drop in Self-Esteem 42 Handling Students’ Emotional Stress 44 Community Collaboration 47 High School 50 Showing Interest in Students 50 Communication and Conflict Resolution 51 Peer Leadership, Not Peer Pressure 52 Mentoring 53 3 Discipline and Related Issues 55 Boys and Aggression Nurturance 55 Preschool and Kindergarten 56 Dealing with Aggressive Behavior 56 Elementary School 59 Learning from Past Mistakes 59 Discipline Techniques After an Offending Act 61 Techniques to Prevent Undisciplined Behavior 64 Conflict and Anger Management 66 Motivational Techniques 68 Character Education 68 Dealing with Cruelty, Hazing, and Violence 70 The Role of Media 73 Middle School 74 Strategies for Providing Discipline 74 Community Collaboration 77 Character Education 78 High School 79 Techniques to Prevent Undisciplined Behavior 79 Character Education and Service Projects 81 Helping Young Males to Manage Aggression 82 Techniques to Encourage Learning 83 4 Math, Science, and Spatial Learning 83 Preschool and Kindergarten 83 Self-Directed Activities 85 Integrated Use of the Physical Environment 85 Games to Encourage Logical-Mathematical Thinking 87 Elementary School 89 Techniques to Encourage Learning 89 Using Manipulatives Whenever Possible 90 Mixing Modalities and Strategies 92 Use of Computers and Other Media 93 Middle School 94 Techniques to Encourage Learning 95 Boys and Girls Need Some of the Same Things 96 Computer Science and Gender in Middle School and High School 96 High School 99 5 Language, Reading, Writing, and Social Science 103 Preschool and Kindergarten 103 Using Movement, Manipulatives, and Props 103 Elementary School 105 Techniques to Encourage Learning 105 Using Manipulatives 108 Providing Various Learning Modalities 109 Middle School 110 Techniques to Encourage Learning 111 High School 115 Teaching Reading 115 Teaching Language 116 Teaching Social Science 118 6 Physical Learning and Nutrition 121 The Need for Physical Activity 121 Preschool and Kindergarten 122 Developing Fine Motor Skills 122 The Outdoor Classroom 122 Elementary School 124 Movement and Motor Skills 124 Sports and Athletics 125 The Outdoor Classroom 126 Middle School and High School 127 Sports and Athletics 127 Mixed-Gender Sports 128 The Outdoor Classroom 129 Nutrition and Learning 129 Obesity 129 Carbohydrates, Proteins, and the School Day 130 Fatty Acids 131 7 Special Education 133 A Program for Reading and Writing 133 Preschool and Kindergarten 134 Bonding and School-Home Alliances 134 Use of Psychotropic Medication 135 Elementary School 137 Techniques to Encourage Learning 137 Spatial Stimulants, Movement, and Multisensory Approaches 139 The Multisensory Approach to Reading Problems 141 Middle School 141 Factors in the Need for Special Education 141 Techniques to Encourage Learning 142 The Underachiever 144 High School 145 Techniques to Encourage Learning 145 8 Planning your Own Experiential Activities 147 Introducing Experiential Learning 147 The Natural Learning Process 148 The Teacher as Facilitator 151 Experiential Learning Techniques 152 Important Factors in Planning Experiential Learning 155 Purpose(s) 155 Students 155 Timing 156 Involvement 156 Preferred Input Modes 156 Instructions 157 Modes of Expression 157 Psychological Safety 157 Equipment, Manipulatives, and Props 157 Planning Activities and Games to Enhance Learning 158 Developmental Themes for Creating Learning Techniques and Activities 159 9 Structural Innovations 165 Preschool and Kindergarten 165 Innovations to Encourage Learning 165 Parent-Involvement Programs 166 Elementary School 167 Use of School Time 167 Class Size and Number of Teachers 168 Use of Group Dynamics and Group Work 169 Standardized Testing 170 Middle School 171 Separate-Sex Education 171 Psychosocial Education 173 Rites of Passage 174 Uniforms and Dress Codes 175 Other Innovations to Encourage Learning 176 High School 178 Class Size 178 Team Teaching and Homerooms 178 Use of School Time 179 Uniforms and Dress Codes 180 Innovations Students Want 181 Full Psychosocial Education 184 Rites of Passage 188 Counterinnovations 189 Appendix: Working with Parents 191 Preschool and Kindergarten 191 Elementary School 192 Middle School 192 High School 193 References and Resources 195 Publications 195 Organizations, Programs, and Services 198 The Authors 201 The Gurian Institute 203 Index 205

About the Author :
Michael Gurian is an educator, family therapist, and author of three national best-sellers, The Wonder of Boys, The Wonder of Girls, and Boys and Girls Learn Differently! He is cofounder of the Michael Gurian Institute (www.gurianinstitute.com) where, along with institute staff, teachers are trained in brain-based and gender innovations. He can be reached at www.michaelgurian.com Arlette C. Ballew is a writer and editor who specializes in experiential learning, training, education, and human resource development. She is the coauthor of seven volumes of Pfeiffer & Company's Training Technologies Series and of Earthquake Survival: Activities and Leaders Guide; the coeditor of the four volumes of Theories and Models in Applied Behavioral Science; and the developer of many experiential training activities, educational and training packages, leader's guides, and workbooks.