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Gender in the Classroom: Resources for Girlsby Mary Zimmerle
Gender inequity
in the classroom has been a hot topic for the past
decade or so, causing many researchers and teachers
alike to reexamine the teaching and disciplinary
methods employed in the co-ed classroom. Studies
on the amount of time given to boys over girls in
the typical classroom show that boys tend to hold
a teacher’s attention (whether positively or
negatively) more so than girls. This inattention
to girls, especially when they are being good, can
have a negative effect on their future college and
career goals, their abilities to lead a group and,
ultimately, their self-esteem.
Service-learning provides a perfect opportunity to remedy this situation in the classroom. Teachers can use the service-learning methodology to encourage leadership skills and use successful girls in the class as examples of quality work and service. By promoting a positive image of strong, smart girls in leadership positions, you can positively affect all of the students in the classroom.
The Women's College Coalition supports such teaching, and states that "serving girls better does not necessarily mean less for boys. Much of what we know about effective programming for girls is grounded in positive youth development and would help improve programming for boys." By valuing girls, boys in the classroom will also gain a better sense of how women and men can work together in the workplace, at home and in society. "In particular, boys can learn more about the strengths, capabilities and contributions of girls and women. This, in turn, may help decrease the pressure many boys feel to conform to traditional roles, behaviors and ways of thinking" (Women’s College Coalition, http://www.academic.org/at_school.html).
In addition to ensuring that the girls in your classroom are placed in leadership positions and are heard in the daily activities of the class, the exploration of career and professional options can be a good way to encourage and advocate for your female students. Invite female mentors and role models to the class from a variety of professional positions. Point to successful women who are also self-reliant and teach your female students to pursue whatever activities and goals that excite and challenge them. This is also a perfect time to help your students explore different fields of work, both traditional and non-traditional. (http://www.academic.org/future_careers.html)
The following are some educational programs for girls held in Pennsylvania colleges from the Women's College Coaltion (http://www.academic.org/programs.html):
Writing for College
Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
"A three-week residential summer program for juniors and seniors in high school designed to significantly improve their writing skills and to prepare them for the level of writing needed to succeed at the most demanding colleges and universities. Small student to instructor ratio, includes numerous chaperoned trips to Philadelphia's museums, cultural and historical sites. Contact Debra Thomas at 610-526-5135."
Voices of Experience: Listen, Learn and Share
Carlow College, Pittsburg, PA
"This one-day enrichment program is designed to empower young women (high school sophomores, juniors and seniors), through African American history, self-awareness and personal stories of phenomenal women. Please contact the public relations office at Carlow at 412-578-8754."
MathConn
Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA
"This nationally recognized program has introduced thousands of middle school girls and their teachers to innovative approaches to learning and teaching mathematics. The day-long event encourages girls to pursue the study of mathematics and science and helps them overcome "math anxiety". For more information, contact Dr. Regina Brunner at 610-437-4471."
Summer Ecology Program
Chatham College, Pittsburgh, PA
"Chatham College offers a two-week summer residential, hands-on environmental science program for high school girls, which includes classroom and field work and several trips to regional locations for further in-depth study. Please contact Kim Nath at 412-365-1156 or email at nath@chatham.edu."
The following site contains additional information about programs and colleges for girls and women:
http://www.academic.org/institutions.html#P
Service-learning provides a perfect opportunity to remedy this situation in the classroom. Teachers can use the service-learning methodology to encourage leadership skills and use successful girls in the class as examples of quality work and service. By promoting a positive image of strong, smart girls in leadership positions, you can positively affect all of the students in the classroom.
The Women's College Coalition supports such teaching, and states that "serving girls better does not necessarily mean less for boys. Much of what we know about effective programming for girls is grounded in positive youth development and would help improve programming for boys." By valuing girls, boys in the classroom will also gain a better sense of how women and men can work together in the workplace, at home and in society. "In particular, boys can learn more about the strengths, capabilities and contributions of girls and women. This, in turn, may help decrease the pressure many boys feel to conform to traditional roles, behaviors and ways of thinking" (Women’s College Coalition, http://www.academic.org/at_school.html).
In addition to ensuring that the girls in your classroom are placed in leadership positions and are heard in the daily activities of the class, the exploration of career and professional options can be a good way to encourage and advocate for your female students. Invite female mentors and role models to the class from a variety of professional positions. Point to successful women who are also self-reliant and teach your female students to pursue whatever activities and goals that excite and challenge them. This is also a perfect time to help your students explore different fields of work, both traditional and non-traditional. (http://www.academic.org/future_careers.html)
The following are some educational programs for girls held in Pennsylvania colleges from the Women's College Coaltion (http://www.academic.org/programs.html):
Writing for College
Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
"A three-week residential summer program for juniors and seniors in high school designed to significantly improve their writing skills and to prepare them for the level of writing needed to succeed at the most demanding colleges and universities. Small student to instructor ratio, includes numerous chaperoned trips to Philadelphia's museums, cultural and historical sites. Contact Debra Thomas at 610-526-5135."
Voices of Experience: Listen, Learn and Share
Carlow College, Pittsburg, PA
"This one-day enrichment program is designed to empower young women (high school sophomores, juniors and seniors), through African American history, self-awareness and personal stories of phenomenal women. Please contact the public relations office at Carlow at 412-578-8754."
MathConn
Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA
"This nationally recognized program has introduced thousands of middle school girls and their teachers to innovative approaches to learning and teaching mathematics. The day-long event encourages girls to pursue the study of mathematics and science and helps them overcome "math anxiety". For more information, contact Dr. Regina Brunner at 610-437-4471."
Summer Ecology Program
Chatham College, Pittsburgh, PA
"Chatham College offers a two-week summer residential, hands-on environmental science program for high school girls, which includes classroom and field work and several trips to regional locations for further in-depth study. Please contact Kim Nath at 412-365-1156 or email at nath@chatham.edu."
The following site contains additional information about programs and colleges for girls and women:
http://www.academic.org/institutions.html#P
February, 2003
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2
Evaluation Tools and Methods for Service-Learning
Literacy Issues and Service-Learning Projects
Good Neighbor Service-Learning Award
The UrbanTech Project: Six Years and Still Growing Stronger
Building Computers, a Service-Learning Endeavor
Community Problem-Solving Curriculum: Service-Learning and College Prep
Youth Voice: Quaker Valley Helps Bridge the Digital Divide
Top
The Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance dissolved as of June 30, 2007. The website will stay posted for one more year, so please share the resources. We are sorry that we will not be able to answer any questions you may have. Good luck with all your future service-learning endeavors!