Boys and Girls Learn Differently!: A Guide for Teachers and Parents (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Patricia Henley (Author), (Author) "NANCY LYNN TAUGHT NEARLY EVERY GRADE IN HER THIRTY-EIGHT-YEAR career..." (more)
Key Phrases: ultimate classroom, boys and girls learn differently, aggression nurturance, Kansas City, United States, Hickman Mills School District (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Educator and author Gurian (The Wonder of Boys) and his co-writers argue that from preschool to high school, brain differences between the sexes call for different teaching strategies. While it's widely accepted that, in general, boys do better in math and girls in language, the authors claim that, until recently, society has taken the politically correct but scientifically inaccurate classroom view that children of both genders learn best in an "androgynous classroom." Presenting a detailed picture of boys' and girls' neurological, chemical and hormonal disparities, the authors explain how those differences affect learning. Although Gurian et al. address the problems of both genders, they focus on boys, contending that they are more difficult to teach and have more learning and discipline problems. The female brain, Gurian says, has a "learning advantage" because it is more complex and active, although the male brain does excel at abstract thinking and spatial relations, one reason why boys do better in math. Drawing on anecdotes contributed by teachers participating in a Missouri-based pilot program launched by the Michael Gurian Institute, the authors present a variety of methods, from pairing a language activity with movement for boys, to using role models to engage girls in academic risk taking. Throughout, the authors stress the importance of teacher training, arguing that regrettably few teachers are knowledgeable about this issue. (Apr.)Forecast: With a seven-city author tour to spark media interest and follows the huge success of The Wonder of Boys, this book will be picked up by parents eager to learn more of what Gurian has to say. Most Americans are intensely concerned about the state of our educational system, so the book could reach beyond its target readership of teachers and parents.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Despite feminism and efforts to desexualize teaching, boys and girls persistently exhibit different learning styles. Based on two decades of research in 30 cultures around the world and the observations made at the Michael Gurian Institute at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, this book explores the reasons for those differences in processing information and learning. Part 1 examines research on the brain that indicates physical differences, such as male brains being larger and female brains maturing earlier. Part 2 offers practical, grade-level-appropriate advice for developing learning environments that accommodate boys' and girls' differing learning styles. The book notes the fundamental differences--boys are more active and physical, girls more verbal and social--but cautions against stereotyping children and neglecting the individuality of specific kids. It outlines the components of the "ultimate classroom," one that supports both sexes in learning, and illustrates with actual classroom experiences. Helpful tables outline different strategies, and the book encourages teaching teachers to "mentor both aggression and empathy." Useful for parents and teachers alike. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (February 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787953431
• ISBN-13: 978-0787953430
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #501,714 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astounded, July 10, 2003

By A Customer

I'm truly astounded at the ignorance of the reviewer cc, who clearly has an agenda of her own (just click on her profile).
Any mother who has a son and a daughter CLEARLY understands that you can put a doll in a little boys hand for the rest of your life and all he will do with it is twirl it around by it's hair or launch it in a rocket blaster.
I too believed that nonsense of nurture when I learned that in college and encourage my first born son to play with all types of different toys. My son was obsessed with balls from day one, in fact, his first word was ball, not mama or dada. Any doll was quickly ditched for a chance to throw something, build something or bulldoze something.
Having my son start kindergarten was an eye opener for me as well. Schools are set up for girls, not boys. My son does not want to sit still all day, my son does not want to sit and read books like my daughter will do all day long. My son wants to be physical, wants to conquer, wants to be busy doing... he wants to learn by doing. Unfortunately, schools want him to sit and act nice. Teachers at this stage in education do not understand the differneces and consistantly recommend drugging boys well into adolecence to get them to "behave". My son is a perfectly well adjusted very sweet kind young boy. He does not have any emotional problems, he just wants to do other things that girls do not want to do.
I praise Gurian for writing the books that he has. They have given me tremendous strength and wisdom to know what's "normal" for a boy. And yes, boys and girls are different. I don't believe that is politically incorrect to say. It's a fact.

26 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Restoration of Balance", March 18, 2001

By	Stanley H. Nemeth (Garden Grove, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The age-old battle between Nature and Nurture has been brought by the politically correct of the recent past to a premature and lopsided conclusion. Hence gender is widely viewed as wholly a social construction. With more than enough evidence to back him up, Gurian wisely dissents from such simplicity. While retaining full awareness of the role of culture in shaping us, he restores attention to our anterior hard-wiring by nature, which we ignore, he argues, only at our peril. Gurian's latest work is a healthy corrective to certain biases which flourish within the educational establishment; it should be read with seriousness by parents and teachers who have no agenda other than wanting the best education for children of both sexes.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do your child a favor - give the teacher a copy!, April 23, 2001

By	Laura E (Los Gatos, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This book resonates with "a ha's"-those rare moments when something you've just read makes such perfect sense you can actually feel it. What I like is the way Gurian blends brain-based research & classroom observation so the reader really can understand the neurological differences in boys & girls that drive their learning & behavior patterns. The extraordinary value in the book is that Gurian provides dozens of suggestions & real-life examples for teachers & parents to nurture a child's intellectual, emotional & creative development. Gurian's book offers valuable & practical insights spanning preschool through high school so I suspect my copy will be dog-eared from frequent use over the next 10 years. Do yourself -and your child-a favor: give this book to your child's teachers & encourage your school district to develop teaching standards that recognize & reflect the fact that boys & girls learn differently. Teachers, kids & parents will all benefit.