Ebook Rethinking Single Sex Teaching

The retreat to single-sex classes in co-educational comprehensive schools in the UK reflects a long history where educational policy and practice has made explicit the belief that boys and girls are different in how they learn and what they should learn. However, there is also a common assumption that there is equality in what is made available to learn and, if there is not, then single-sex organisation achieves this. The authors challenge this opinion and offer a fresh and theoretically informed look at the debate about single-sex teaching, presenting insights from research about the intended and unintended consequences of gender division in schools. Drawing on classroom observations and in-depth interviews with teachers and students, the book illustrates the effect of single-sex classrooms on learners and on the versions of subject knowledge made available to them. In exploring the differences in teaching practices between boys’ and girls’ classrooms, in relation to subjects such as Science, English, Drama, and Design and Technology, the authors highlight how single-sex teaching can, inadvertently, create circumstances which limit rather than open up students’ access to subject knowledge. The authors offer conceptual tools for investigating the knowledge-gender dynamic, advocating that learning will expand if teachers work with gender to help students to cross boundaries into non-traditional gender territories within subject lessons. Rethinking Single-Sex Teaching is thought-provoking reading for teachers, head teachers, academics and policy makers.

This book is an essential resource for educators who are teaching or leading schools with single-gender classes, whether they're in public, private, or Catholic schools. It is a "soup-to-nuts" guide, covering everything from curriculum planning and classroom design to school policies and parent-teacher communication. Whether contemplating this new educational trend, or already working within one of the 12,000 single-gender schools, this practical guide shows educators how they can make the most of a unique educational opportunity. Positioned at the forefront of brain-based learning, Michael Gurian's work translates and distills the latest scientific research into key points which can be immediately integrated into an educator's existing practice. The research underlines the importance of single-sex learning, and supports the creation and implementation of new strategies for accommodating the brain differences of boys and girls - at both the school and classroom level.

"This is a book to own, read and re-read for its insights and which should then provoke us to act so that all children at school are able to enjoy and benefit from education". Professor Debbie Epstein, Cardiff University, UK, Editor, Gender and Education "This excellent book offers evidence from a rich vein of research covering all aspects of girls' and young women's experiences of education, in and out of school, and is therefore an absolute must for all involved in teaching, learning, researching and policy-making on gender." Professor Gaby Weiner, University of Edinburgh, UK Countering claims that we live in 'post-feminist' times in which girls 'have it all' and can do, and be, whatever they like, this book explores some of the current concerns of, and about, girls today. Issues relating to girls' schooling and femininities have been sidelined and depoliticised in recent education agendas. Yet questions and concerns relating to schoolgirls' lives and experiences deserve immediate attention. Not all girls are academically successful; many girls face exclusion in schools; career aspirations are still gendered; rates of smoking and drinking alcohol are high amongst some groups of girls. With contributions from leading researchers in gender and education, this book: Draws on cutting edge research to consider ongoing problems and explore new agendas. Includes contributions relating to the entire 3-16 year age range. Considers both the within- and out-of-school experiences of girls, and locates them within wider debates about gender anxieties in contemporary education. This topical collection highlights the main issues faced by girls in Britain today, and endeavours to put girls back on the educational agenda. It is essential reading for students, academics and researchers in education, sociology, and girls' studies, as well as for school teachers and education policy makers. Contributors:Alexandra Allan, Sheryl Clark, Fin Cullen, Jannette Elwood, Becky Francis, Rosalyn George, Valerie Hey, Laura Hills, Jean Kane, Gwynedd Lloyd, Jackie Marsh, Barbara Martin, Gillean McCluskey, Emma Renold, Sheila Riddell, Jessica Ringrose, Farzana Shain, Joan Stead, Elisabet Weedon

Single sex schooling might appear to be an obscure issue on the sidelines of the educational policy debates of our times. But it is far from this. In fact, a sizable number of people and political organizations would like to make these schools obscure, but somehow they are “scaling up” rather than down. In 1996, there were only two public single sex schools operating in America. By 2015 there are now at least 100 public single sex schools, despite opposition from the outset. These schools are primarily serving poor, urban, black and Latino, at risk children. This book takes up the challenge of studying the effectiveness of single sex schools. Riordan frees the discussion of its ideological and political baggage and brings a degree of theoretical and empirical balance to the debate. The book provides a sociological foundation for considering single sex schools. The basic argument is that the larger school context of all girls or all boys serves as the driving factor for producing favorable outcomes in single sex schools.

“Brian Matthews brings intellectual rigour as well as passionate commitment to the important tasks of appreciating the role that emotional literacy can play in a refreshing education. It is a powerful combination. It is because he understands so well the need to attend to the purpose of education that he is so illuminating on the strategies that will give all young people the best possible chance to learn and to grow.” James Park, Director, Antidote "This book will be read by individuals who have an interest in bringing about change in the presentcurriculum. School Science Review This book reveals the huge potential of engaging pupils with their emotions in the classroom, and presents evidence that when pupils work in this way they become more co-operative and help each other to learn. The book explores how schools can move beyond a focus on cognitive attainment through an emphasis on affective engagement, to help pupils develop better relationships of all kinds and prepare them for adulthood in a fast-changing world. For teachers, the book tackles the important questions of: What is emotional literacy and emotional intelligence? How can teachers incorporate pupils’ emotional development into their lessons while nourishing and enhancing achievement? How is it possible to have a calm atmosphere in the classroom with pupils enjoying learning together? Engaging Education is the first book to link the issues of emotional literacy, equity and social justice, and the education of the whole child, thus providing the social and political context for emotional literacy. In connecting emotional literacy and equity with the structure of schooling, it establishes that co-educational schools can contribute to enabling boys and girls to relate to and understand each other. Based firmly on research, this innovative book gives teachers invaluable guidelines on what to concentrate on and what to avoid. It is key reading for teachers and trainee teachers as well as policymakers and all those concerned with education.

"I think a real strength of the book is the use of the case studies to ground the points made and to offer in-depth insights into practice." Jackie Marsh, University of Sheffield, UK This exciting book considers the nature of young children's lives and how this can, and should, inform early childhood education in practical ways. It examines: What is it like for young children to learn in the 21st century? How can we link this to new and innovative ways of providing relevant and engaging learning contexts for young children? What it means to be multiliterate in the 21st century The book explores how learning and engagement with ideas can be extended through the use of new technologies, describing how information and communications technologies enable young people to extend the boundaries of their learning and social interactions. These experiences have important implications for formal learning environments and the nature of the curriculum, including bold new approaches to teaching and learning which offer opportunities for children to investigate in new ways. This book provides examples of the ways in which early childhood teachers have extended opportunities for new types of learning for children by creating contexts in which they are able to explore and represent their ideas and thinking in multimodal formats using new technologies. This book represents a research-based discussion for rethinking learning in the 21st century and includes various case studies and scenarios to enable students and practising teachers to try out new ideas. Finally, it considers new ways of thinking about children's learning by creating a multiliteracies portrait, pedagogies and pathways profile that enables teachers to build on their strengths to plan for effective learning outcomes. Rethinking Learning in Early Childhood Education is key reading for students on Early Years courses or Primary Education pre-service teacher education programmes.

Teaching is a lifelong challenge, but the first few years in the classroom are typically a teacher's hardest. This expanded collection of writings and reflections offers practical guidance on how to navigate the school system, form rewarding relationships with colleagues, and connect in meaningful ways with students and families from all cultures and backgrounds.

This book innovatively re-envisions the possibilities of sexuality education. Utilising student critiques of programmes it reconfigures key debates in sexuality education including: Should pleasure be part of the curriculum? Who makes the best educators? Do students prefer single or mixed gender classes?