It is very interesting. I recently took a seminar about how boys do learn differently than girls. For the most part, girls can sit there and listen to an hour long lecture and get the information needed to pass a test afterward. Boys on the other hand actually need a short lecture, a hands on activity, a break that allows them to get up and move around, and a graphic organizer in which they can manipulate to get a better understanding of the topic.
I teach at an all-boys high school where we have an intenstive block schedule - we see our students daily for 85 minutes for a total of 4 classes per day. I allow them to stand in the back of the room to take notes, we go for walks around the football field about half way through the class, I use brain based thinking puzzles as a break as well. I use case studies and make up workbook activities to do in class as well. I also make heavy use of movies that can be directly related to the curriculum. I have noticed a huge difference in their learning. Last year I worried about two dozen F’s where as this year I had nothing less than a C in all thre classes.
I am also thinking that a regular high school should consider single sex classrooms even on a co-ed campus - we actually have a private high school in the area that does this with a ton of success.
That’s most interesting! I’m glad to hear that such schools exist - outside of the elite private schools available only to the super-wealthy.
People like you are saving a few from the mental retardation designed into our public school system.
You got it. Think about it. Teachers expect boys to sit still for 7-8 hours while they drone on about various subjects. I'll admit to daydreaming my way all the way through grade school.... unless it was a reading assignment...which I loved (I read many of the books in the school library). But otherwise school was just too boring. I've talked to a lot my buddies, and they pretty much said the same thing. How can you pay attention to some teacher droning on when you can look out the window...the weather's warm, the birds are singing, and you want to be out there with them. It is the average boys nature when they're young to be moving around and not chained to a desk for any period of time.