Gender Differences

in the
Classroom
Girls Boys
Physical
Cognitive
Motivational
Interpersonal
Self-esteem
Physical Differences
•Boys are more active
•Girls have less difficulty with sedentary
activities
•Girls have a slight edge in fine motor skills
•Boys have a biological advantage in physical
activity
Cognitive Differences
• No differences in standardized assessments
• But slight difference on specific abilities
Self-esteem and Motivational
Differences
• Boys overestimate abilities; Girls underestimate
• Girls tend to consistently earn higher grades in
school
• Both groups rate themselves higher in academic
areas that are stereotypical for their gender
Interpersonal Relationship
Differences
•Boys tend to hang out in large groups of
other boys.
•Girls engage in more cooperative play.
•Girls are more aware of other girls' mental
and emotional states.
Interpersonal Relationship
Differences
 Gender Gender
differences schema
Gender schema

organized networks of
knowledge about what
it means to be male or
female
 Gender bias

different views of males and

females often favoring one
gender over the other.
Gender bias in the classroom
•Language

•Patterns of
Communication
Gender bias in the classroom
•Stereotypes and default
assumptions

•Interactions in the
classroom
How do we promote
gender equity in the
classroom?
Gender-sensitive language and
communication styles
Gender-sensitive material
 Questioning gender-based
assumptions and stereotypes
Video
Thank you!