When the class roster is stacked with more boys than girls, there is a definite need to adjust teaching styles and approaches. The idea that boys are more physical, more active, and more prone to struggle with quiet classroom activities is firmly backed up with scientific studies on the differences between the male and female brain. According to Gurian and Stevens November 2004 study published in Educational Leadership, “With Boys and Girls in Mind”, “boys’ brains are better suited to symbols, abstractions, and pictures. Consequently, boys generally learn higher math and physics better than girls. Boys prefer video games for the physical movement and destruction. Boys get into more trouble for not listening, moving around, sleeping in class, and incomplete assignments.”
Whole Brain Teaching in the Classroom
This difference in learning styles means that teachers must embrace different, more kinesthetic approaches to lessons than they may otherwise engage in. Create a boy-friendly, positive classroom using Whole Brain Teaching strategies. They capitalize on boys’ physical nature and turn their concentrated energy into a positive instead of a classroom distraction.
What is Whole Brain Teaching?
Before even starting lessons, recognize that the boys in your classroom are going to need actions and routine that help them focus on learning. WholeBrainTeaching.com explains it like this:
“The neo-cortex, the part of your brain behind your forehead, controls, among other things, decision making. Think of the neo-cortex as an executive, organizing other brain areas for complex tasks. When the teacher says, “Class!” and the students respond, “Yes!,” you have, in effect focused your students’ neo-cortices on what you’re going to say next. In other words, their brain’s executives are ready to take directions from your brain’s executive. That’s wonderful! Your neo-cortex is the CEO of all your kids’ neo-cortices. We call that, Teaching Heaven.”
Resources for Whole Brain Teaching
Click here to watch YouTube videos showing how others are using Whole Brain Teaching in their classrooms.
For more information on Whole Brain Teaching visit www.WholeBrainTeaching.com.
Engage
Do you use Whole Brain Teaching techniques in your classroom? If so, share with us how it works (or does not work!) for you!