Gender In the

Classroom
MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION IN A PLURALISTIC SOCIETY: CHAPTER 4

Gender vs. Sex

Sex: biological; what our bodies look like and

what they produce

Gender: much more complicated

Nature vs. nurture: gender is socially

constructed

Society defines masculine and feminine

qualities which are not innate

Based on social expectations and stereotypes

Media

Parents

Teachers

peers

In schools

Elementary school critics state that

schools favor girls needs over boys.

Easier to work with girls, especially as

majority of elementary and middle
school teachers are women.

Frustrated teachers: too hard to

teach boys
Boys

ignored

Labeled

with learning/behavioral
disabilities

Emphasis on activities that interest

both.

Gender Enforcers

Studies indicate TV is most influential

Gender standards presented as

stereotypes all over children's programs

Parents and peers also strongly influence

Books and Movies

Male protagonist rarely displays typically

feminine traits

Strong women often visually masculine

Bro Code highly enforced by peers

Afraid to be called a wimp

tomboys dont experience this fear to

same extent.

After High School

Men are expected to work

Women

who work do not always do so by choice

Created idea than men are primary breadwinners: enforces

patriarchy

Due to this concept boys and men are more likely to:
Drop
Not
Pick

out of school to find a job

attend college for a job right away

careers that generate more income: although women are

paid less for same job and experience boys clubs and the
glass ceiling.

In the Classroom
Boys

Better at multiple choice

and college
administration exams

Slightly excel in math and

spatial reasoning

Higher drop out rate

More likely to be
diagnosed with
learning/behavioral
disorders

Girls

Better at essay questions

and oral assessments

Excel slightly in reading,

writing, and verbal
learning

Higher school ranking and

entrance into college

What Teachers Can Do

Work to develop classroom

environment to take
advantage of both learning
styles

Engage boys in ELA

Mixed boys and girls groups

How I Will Help

Engage both in each others cultural spheres

Activities
Wars

peaking both interests

and politics vs. culture and social

Gender

studies: men and womens gender issues

Make connections to daily life: men and women can

relate in history

Variety of testing/assessment methods

Collaborative projects

Unit: Cold War Society and Culture

Lesson: Women and Gender

in Modern Society

Grade: 11

California State Standard

11.11.3: Describe the
Changing roles of women in
society as reflected in the
entry of more women into
the labor force and the
changing family structure.

Goals
How

did womens roles change

during the 1950s and 1960s.
What is the modern woman?
Describe womens entrance into the
work force and its effect on Cold War
suburban society.

Activities and Assessments

Activities:
Dialogue

journals

Anticipation
Gender

chart

guide

vs. sex organization

Assessments:

Create a modern womans

magazine

Battle of the Genders Game

Modern Womans Magazine

Designed to be a group project: groups of 4 or 5

Comprehension, creativity, writing, research

Each portion must have pictures and SIGNIFICANCE

Special Political Report; student written and persuasive

Fashion/Beauty

Health

Love and Relationships

Primary Source: interview or article with student analysis

Careers

Statistic Analysis

But wait this focuses a lot on girls

needs.

This was just one lesson!

Unit also includes a lesson on modern masculinity standards

Assessment: create your own bachelor pad or design the ideal man
based on new standards

Lesson on family structure

Get kids outside with protest activities

Protest women destroying family structure: why anti-feminist

movements were flawed

Protest for womens rights

Unit test: both multiple choice and essay questions.

New It Guy

Analysis of new masculinity

standards
Emphasize

how masculinity
moved away from rugged
stereotype

Drinks,

nice cars, smooth

and educated; masculinity
is subjective

Relatable to both boys and

girls

Create Your Own Bachelor Pad

Use floor-plan worksheet to

design ultimate fantasy pad

Group based

Stimulate boys and girls

Creative,

thinking

spatial, critical

Emphasize fantasy culture and

the playboy