Hi, I will be teaching an all boys class next year (2nd grade) and I'm starting to prepare for August. There is not much info (ideas, suggestions) out there for teaching in a single gender classroom. I am looking for ideas on a classroom theme, organization helps, etc. I thought we could start a discussion. Is anybody else out there in my shoes?
I have no suggestions right now, not in your shoes, but I would love to be! I think your class for next year sounds like SO MUCH FUN! I am jealous
I'm not in your shoes and I don't have any advice at the moment, but may I ask how you ended up with an all-boys class? Are you at a private school, or a public school that is seperating genders?
I'll be teaching single-gendered classes at the middle school level (public). I, too, start in August! I think it's a great idea to talk about this now. As far as themes, I'm just thinking of the sterotypical: "all stars"- sports stuff everywhere "adventurers"-pirates and whatnot "superheroes" I know, I am not great at the themes. Let's keep this discussion gong!
I teach in South Carolina and there has been a big push here for single gender education in public schools. We have an all boys class, all girls class, and two mixed gender classes (legally you must have mixed gender). I was asked to teach the boys and I've been two 1 conference on it, but didn't get as much out of it as I had hoped. There is so much to think about...classroom layout, themes, organization, teaching style, etc. I'm excited, but a bit overwhelmed!
Love the superheroes/comic book idea! I was also thinking along the lines of an outdoorsy theme. Bears, deer, camping chairs for reading, trees, etc.....kind of rugged.
I hate to sound too stereotypical, but I would think moving around from time to time would be good for an all boy class. How could you get them physically involved without letting things get too crazy? I will have all boys, too, but they are 5 year olds with no desks....easier to allow for movement.
During my first year I taught a sixth grade class of all boys, and this was in a public school just for the record. It wasn't that bad. Every fifteen or twenty minutes we took physical and mental breaks...there are tons of short games you can play to allow for the much needed movement. I would suggest browsing Amazon for some brain break type games to play.
Wow!!! All boys How many students will you have in your class. Boys can be quite alot to handle. My class was outnumbered with boys last year like 10 boys and 8 girls. and that almost drove me crazy. Good LUck
I like the brain breaks idea. If you haven't read any of the Dr. Spencer Kagan stuff, he has lots of ideas for incorporating movement and student interaction into curriculum activities. Jaszmyn- I agree that at the elementary level, boys would be quite the high energy job. At the middle school level, I think I might be more worried about my girl classes- they are much more emotional at this age!
Ha! I don't think you could pay me enough to teach all-girls!!!! Too much drama. I'm excited to look for Dr. Kagan's works. Thanks for the heads up. I'm thinking about doing a camping theme for next year. Did I already say that?
Themes - sports? Team building ones - a sense of community and working together even when they are competitive at things, not sure how much they are in 2nd grade though.
I would LOVE this!!!!! Boys are can be easier to deal with than girls, although, I love how artsy the girls are. Last year, my boys and girls chose to stay separated and they competed against each other. It worked out great!!!! It was the best class I've every taught.
I like the camping theme idea...how will you do it? That provides a good opening for outdoor ed./team-building type activities!
Do you mind if I ask what district or county you teach in? I am in SC as well and would love to teach a single gender class. There has been no talk of this in my district and I would love to put this idea in my P's head.
First off, let me say: I have NEVER heard of single-gender classes in 2009! Two years ago, I had a class of 16 boys and 4 girls. The girls were definitely outnumbered, but that was my BEST year ever. I will never forget that school year--it was textbook perfect! Anyway, I don't know how I'd feel about teaching a class full of either all boys or all girls. I'd be interested in hearing the argument for single-gender classrooms, though. Will someone please enlighten me on this???
single gender classroom. Hi, I am not a teacher yet but I am studying to become a teacher so my answer is more on the personal level not professional level. One thing I would do was to use a sports theme to tie in with the basic studies such as math and maybe put this on a bulletin board in the classroom. I always found that the idea of having the kids write a short story or essay about their summer was a hit which you could incorporate their spelling words for the first week into that by asking them to use as many of the spelling words that they can in their story about their summer or a vacation. If you had the students read their paper on their vacation or summer that would help with their reading and maybe help you to see how their reading skills are at the same time. If you didn't want to use the summer or vacation for so many things another suggestion is maybe their favorite thing they did with their dad would work also. I hope something I have suggested will be of some help because as I said it is from a mother's point of view. Terry
Terry, thanks for the suggestions. I'm going with a Camping/Outdoors theme and will have a S'More Good Work bulletin board. Summer writing would be great to put on it.
single gender boys Great discussion. I will be teaching single gender boys first grade this year. I love the camping theme and b.board idea! To cute. I am thinking of doing a racing to success theme...not quite sure though. Plan to check out the link from a pp. Definitely planning movement and brain breaks throughout the day. every 20 minutes if possible. Also timing boys as they transition. Give 120 seconds to get out crayons and put away books for example then adding time saved and using it for PAT time at end of day. PAT stands for preferred activity time. Just a way to keep things moving.
Although it can be said that boys generally like these things, I plan to stay away from the stereotypical "boys" themes. We'll never really know whether boys are truly "wired" to like camping and sports or if it is more so a result of their socialization - the fact that they grow up with people telling them these are the things that boys like. I will cater to the interests of my students but I will first let them tell me what those interests really are.
I had a K class of 18 boys and 2 girls a couple years ago and it was by far my most treasured year. Enjoy! I love the camping theme. I think that even an entire class of girls would love that theme! I don't think it's too stereotypical, most kids love the outdoors and who doesn't love s'mores?!?! AWESOME bulletin board title! Good luck with your year!
I LOVE PAT time! I use that but call it Wii Points time since I have a Wii in my room. We accumulate points during the week for Wii Fit time. Running, yoga, etc. It's great! I save time during the week and we exercise! I'm probably going to end up doing it daily.
Thanks, WestCoast Teach! I agree, camping is not too stereotypical at all! It looks really cool. Comfy and cozy without being to boyish or girlish! It's great for me, I've never been so comfortable! Yummm....S'mores!
You're absolutely right about not being sterotypical. You just joined, be careful about sounding condescending when posting to someones posts. Those of us who teach single gender classes usually have extensive training on the subject. Should I have gone with flowers and bubblegum? Or waited until the school year started to work on decorating my room? I'd rather spend that time on curriculum, instruction, and assessment...
