Gender

Hi,

Have been thinking about this for a little while now. If we choose books to encourage boys to write, what is going to happen to the girls? Will they just carry on regardless?

Below are some links to documents and a video


 * ~Jog_on**

I'm fairly sure that I've read in research that if you put things in place for the boys then it will improve girl's achievements as well. The things that work well for boys such as drama and short bursts of activity work just as well for a lot of girls. I suppose the real key is to make sure that you use the whole repertoire of teaching techniques.


 * ~wickedwitch**

http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primary/casestudies/literacy/boys_achievement/1094329/ Link to a case study - Year 4 class - Stories from other Cultures - focuses on boys' achievement and use of drama.

http://www.whatworkswell.org/viewcasestudy/print?casestudyid=2576 Link to a case study re: boys' writing and narrowing the gender gap.

http://www.teachers.tv/video/1444 Boys' Writing - fairly useful video looking at a school where results were very good in writing for boys and girls.

Main points:
 * improve self-esteem
 * treat girls and boys equally
 * speaking and listening before writing
 * mixed ability teaching
 * role play
 * competition - e.g. writer of the week competition (work is displayed and parents are informed)
 * motivation - inside and outside of the classroom - gave example of ICT and cross-curricular links, so that lessons aren't isolated
 * fiction and non-fiction - boys need both. Recommend a book to a friend idea, as some boys are unsure what they will like, but sharing texts they have enjoyed with a friend who has similar tastes is a good way forward. They had a class recommendation book - nice idea.
 * visual techniques - IWB, films, skeleton books (does anyone use these books?)