Carolyn

Posted on 10/24/09

I have an all boys 4th grade class and we have been reading
about how boys and girls learn differently. Every year, it
has been like pulling teeth to get students to write. Well,
Another teacher suggested friendship as the subject for our
first writing project. I admit I have been too distracted
with student behavior to give it much thought and besides
it is something that my boys need. But when it came to
starting the project, I panicked. First, I needed some
motivation and then provide some motivation for my
students. Second, I needed to create a folder to keep them
organized and prevent the loss of work. Third, I needed to
provide them with a sequence of steps so that we follow a
process of modeling, helping, and then working
independently. I really committed to walking them through
creating graphic organizers with each step in the process.

For the first time in my career, I did not have to push and
pull and beg for papers. The students are asking if they
can write during down time. The writing is without form and
doesn't conform to rules but it shows real talent. One of
my students paper begins like this. "It was pitch dark
outside and I was laying in my bed watching my cracked
broken down TV when..." another student who is super active
writes about a friend he meets at camp and they get lost
because they didn't follow the rules.

Another interesting fact is many of my students that are
lower functioning had more interesting papers. All of this
seems contrary to the research. What do you supposed caused
this? In addition, half of my class are brilliant readers.
The other half struggles but they have good attitudes and
work hard. Even my student who has an history of not
working is asking for help and working independently or
requesting help from peers. Do you really suppose that this
is because of being placed in a gender class? I am really
baffled because, this is most challenging class I have had
as far as major behaviors are concerned. I have really
haven't changed much as far as student interest. I just
helped them become a little more organized by creating
folders for each subject. Do you think that perhaps my
teaching style and interest is naturally better suited to
boys?

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one