Single Gender Classes

by Lyn Newton | More from this Blogger

10 Oct 2007 06:06 PM

Single-gender classrooms are becoming more popular. Some schools have limited or special classes for students wishing to participate in single-gender classes with either all boys or all girls.

South Carolina is the first state to have a coordinator of single-gender classrooms. David Chadwell, the single-gender coordinator for South Carolina, feels that students have a better opportunity to learn when in a single-gender middle school classroom.

After completing research, Chadwell found that boys and girls learn differently and should be taught differently. In an all boys class, teachers often use a microphone because boys have a harder time listening. Boys also prefer movement and action in a lesson. Therefore, teachers of an all boys class usually plan active lessons and use movements such as tossing a ball.

The teachers of all girls classes have learned that they can usually speak softer in class. The girls often take yelling or loud voices more personal than the boys take it.

The teachers can use action books as a focus in boys' classes and novels in girls' classes. The girls more enjoy assignments such as drawing, creating, and interviewing. The girls are also more likely to speak out because they are not worried about being made fun of by a boy.

While Chadwell is all for the program and classes, some are leery of it. Some women's rights activist fear that the idea of separating the genders may lead to the once again theory that the males are superior. It has also been questioned on whether the classes are segregating by sex.

Recently, last year, the US Department of Education stated that schools may use single gender classes anytime that it is believed they will improve a child's education. Chadwell hopes that other states will follow the efforts that he is doing in South Carolina.

Are Single Sex Classes the Solution?

Are Schools Designed for Boys or Girls?

Learn more about Lyn Newton

Lyn is a kindergarten teacher and mommy to a girl and a boy. In her spare time, she enjoys informative and creative writing.

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QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA (60106) 10 Oct 2007 07:39 PM

Great topic that is very relavent for our high school Teens Threads. My sons attended co-ed high school. There are other options available locally, but most of those are merging towards co-ed now.

[URL="http://forums.families.com/all-boys-or-all-girls-school,t112907&p=883352&postid=883352"]http://forums.families.com/all-boys-or-all-girls-school,t112907&p=883352&postid=883352[/URL]

Appreciate that you are sharing more points about this, Karri.

Myra Turner (1560) 09 Nov 2007 10:18 AM

The school my son attends is co-ed prek- through 8th grade. The high school is girls only. I guess they figure at that age, they want the girls concentrating on schoolwork and not the boy sitting next to her. It's also a catholic school.