Product Description

In this profoundly significant book, author Michael Gurian synthesizes this current knowledge and clearly demonstrates how this distinction in hard-wiring and socialized gender differences affects how boys and girls learn. Gurian presents a new way to educate our children based on brain science, neurological development, and chemical and hormonal disparities.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51349 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780787961176
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

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

Review
A new school year is a lot like New Year's Day; it offers the chance to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start, the chance to move ahead in new and productive ways and the chance to work harder and do better than you did the year before. If you've made a new school year "resolution" to help your child succeed in school this fall, you'll need to some homework. Here is a new book to put in your backpack before the first bell rings.

Michael Gurian's Boys and Girls Learn Differently explains the biological factors behind male/female learning, what these differences consist of at various developmental stages and most importantly, how this information can be used to build a student's self-esteem and facilitate learning. Gurian points out that there are no hard and fast "gender rules," but that brain-based research indicates certain tendencies. For eample, he writes, "Boys tend to be deductive in their conceptualizationsgirls tend to favor inductive thinking." Gurian outlines what he calls the "ultimate" learning environment for both boys and girls from preschool through high school. He reminds us what it is like to be a sensitive nine-year-old to a turbulent teen and points out that by understanding what are children are going through at different stages in their lives, adults can more effectively help them achieve in school (Linda Stankard, BookPage August 2001)

"Boys and Girls Learn Differently! offers valuable and much-needed tools to provide boys and girls with true equal educational opportunities. The new techniques Michael Gurian presents here will transform our classrooms and the way parents teach their children in very positive ways." (John Gray, author, Children Are from Heaven and Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus)

"From the beginning of time, parents and sensitive teachers have observed differences in the behavior, learning styles, and focused interests of girls and boys. Defying the political correctness that is today's common wisdom, Gurian and the contributing authors draw on emerging neuroscientific data to justify these perceptions. While never allowing us to lose sight of the reality of individual differences, they suggest creative ways to modify the learning environment to encourage a broader spectrum of achievement in both gender groups." (Edward Zigler, Sterling Professor of Psychology, Yale University, and one of the original planners of the national Head Start program)

"Overflowing with challenging ideas and practical advice, Gurian's research offers parents and teachers a true gift-the knowledge and support needed to create dynamic learning environments for both boys and girls." (Ann F. Caron, author of Mothers to Daughters and Strong Mothers, Strong Sons)

"The insights and innovations in Boys and Girls Learn Differently! have been applied in our classrooms with phenomenal success, leading to better academic performance and better behavior. I highly recommend this book to all parents, teachers, and school administrators." (Dan Colgan, superintendent of schools, St. Joseph, Missouri)

"...Do we need this American publication to help us find the way forward? Frankly and emphatically, yes..."(Educational Research, Summer 2002)

"...refreshing to read such an up-beat and positive book...highly recommended to teachers..." (Debate, December 2002)

Customer Reviews

Astounded
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.

"The Restoration of Balance"
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.

Do your child a favor - give the teacher a copy!
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.