Chapter 2 -- Physical Development of Boys
Studies show that the developmental differences between boys and girls affect learning. Testosterone has a significant impact on the development of the brain and "contributes to a very different trajectory for boys"
For an overview of these dramatic differences see this Prezi:
Generational Poverty affects Boys' Physical Development through:
Inadequate diet-- reduced protein, fruits & vegetables
Sexual illiteracy-- tools for dealing with issues are seldom provided
Unhealthy Living Conditions-- lack of medical and dental care, place for play, etc.
Lack of safety-- in 2009 15% adolescents in poverty believed they would die before age 30
WHAT CAN WE DO??
Leigh,
ReplyDeleteI loved the chart and how it mentioned things that physical educators could do to improve the chances of boys to succeed. I personally believe that as a physical educator I have a very important role to play in keeping 'my' boys on the right path by teaching them how to play with others, control their urges (to put their hands on each other), deal with both success and failure along with learning empathy for others. I agree that it is important for us to teach our students (especially boys)life enhancing activities that teach boys from an early age not only how to be healthy but why that is important. I personally feel that a good physical education program provides boys a play to succeed when the classroom may be offering frustration. There have been many occassions where a child (most often a boy) has come to me upset and frustrated about something that happened in the classroom and I was able to say "it doesn't matter in here...you have a clean slate, lets go and have fun" and then have been able to provide them an opportunity to succeed. They are then able to return to the classroom with a smile on their face feeling like they can tackle the problem in the classroom. I have heard many boys say that physical education class was their favorite part of the day...I feel this time can be a huge incentive to keeping boys where they need to be IN SCHOOL!!
Leslie, I could not agree more! PE can be a great place of building relationships and providing an outlet for all of that energy! It is a hard job but so essential in the overall success of students (especially boys).
ReplyDeleteI love the Prezi that you made about this chapter! I thought it was interesting that in several different places it mentioned how boys need movement. I have found this to be so true in the classroom setting. We expect our students to sit and learn all day, and we wonder why some of them can't sit still for very long. We need to remember that boys need a time and a place to move around. If we will allow them a little time to move (even by incorporating more kinesthetic activities), then we might be able to keep them more engaged in the classroom setting.
ReplyDeleteI thought this chapter was very interesting. I knew boys and girls were different, but I didn't really know why until reading this chapter. When the book talked about boys tapping their pencils on their desks to keep their brains from shutting down, I had a huge "ah-ha" moment. I have been a little more forgiving in that area. I liked the idea of having balls for them to squeeze. I am looking for a less disruptive solution to the pencil tapping that will still allow for the movement.
ReplyDeleteBess, it is amazing the differences. I have a class of 10 boys and 6 girls and I live with a husband and son. I should have read this book YEARS ago! It makes so much sense.
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