Boys Vs. Girls

How boys and girls learn differently

Overview

Brain differences Effects of Hormones Learning Strategies Statistics Conclusion

The Female Brain

Matures earlier– Speak in sentences earlier

Broca’s area & frontal lobe are more active– Improved verbal communication

Cerebrum is always active– Greater ability to multi-task

Copus callosum is larger– Coordinate the two sides of their brain better

** Better at listening and communicating

The Male Brain

Amygdale is larger– More aggressive behavior

Cerebral cortex is thicker on right side– Better at solving abstract problems

More developed right hemisphere– Better at measuring and using models

** Better at problem solving and building projects

Female Hormones

Progesterone & Estrogen– Make females bond more easily– Fluctuation creates moodiness

Male Hormone

Testosterone– Aggressive– Socially ambitious– Muscular

Learning Strategies for Girls

Visual learners– Use pictures and charts

Verbal learners– Enjoy talking and discussing topics

Less likely to take risks– Need to be encouraged

Learning Strategies for Boys

Kinesthetic learners– Like to be active while learning

Like numbers and symbols– Like to decipher codes, solve pattern games and

use formulas to solve problems

Statistics

Boys earn 70% of the D’s and F’s Boys account for 2/3 of the learning disability

diagnoses Boys represent 90% of the discipline referrals 80% of high school dropouts are male Males make up fewer than 40% of the

college students

– (Gurian, 2001)

Observations of female students

Girls like background information Girls like story problems Girls are more concerned with pleasing

adults. Girls have more concern for their grade

Observations of Boys

Boys get bored easily Boys like to solve equations instead of

reading story problems Confrontation works well with boys Boys respond well to noisy classrooms

Conclusion

Boys and Girls learn differently Educators need to be aware of these

differences Create classrooms that are conducive to all

learners Consider single sex classrooms at the junior

high level

Bibliography

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