Equity in the Classroom Essay - 821 Words

Equity in the Classroom The concerns regarding equity issues in math and science may seem minimal, but in reality are very large. Usually unintentionally, teachers pay more attention, and give more positive attention to boys in their classrooms. This is especially noticed in the areas of math and science. â€Å"Girls are equal to or ahead of boys in achievement† (Sadker, 1993, p. 67) in the early stages of schooling. So why do boys seem to do so much better in math and science in the later school years? Perhaps it is not that boys are just smarter than girls are. Studies have shown that teachers give boys more attention in the early and crucial years because they fear that the boys will fall behind in their school subjects, and that†¦show more content†¦Matyas and Kulm (NCREL, 2001a) suggested the following on the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory’s website: â€Å"(1) use hands-on activities, (2) develop problem-solving skills, (3) foster co operative learning, (4) show enthusiasm and have high expectations for all, (5) use gender- and race-balanced oral and written instructions and materials, (6) use activities and resources that are familiar within the cultures of a wide variety of students, (7) include minority, female, and disabled role models in instruction† (Internet resource a). As a female, I have been very aware of this type of favoring for several years. I always thought that it was unfair that the boys were always called on in math class, and that boys always got to demonstrate the science experiments to the girls. At one point, I just wanted to give up and shrivel in a chair in the back of the class--but I didn’t. Instead I promised myself that I would do as well as I could. I never got equal attention in the math and science area throughout my middle school and high school years. I did poorly in chemistry and was not helped, even when I volunteered to come in before or after school for help. During my first year of college I was a dairy science major. There were only seven girls in the major and we were treated like girls. We were not allowed to do the physical work, but when it came to writing papers we were called. I demanded to be allowed equal opportunity in this major andShow MoreRelatedReflection On Change : Establish Equity Withi n The Classroom888 Words   |  4 PagesReflection on change Establish equity in the classroom can be hard work, and would mean that the entire team is committed to achieving equity for all students. However, it is with small changes we can go step by step to reach the goal. That is why, one change that I can in my classroom is to teach differently each day. â€Å"Just as heterogeneous grouping engages all levels of students, differentiated instruction engages all types of learners.† (DiMartino Miles, 2004, p. 47). How will I set thisRead MoreDiversity and Equity Audit in My First Grade Classroom Community932 Words   |  4 Pagesfirst grade at Lowe Elementary School; my class is made up of twenty-four very diverse seven year-olds; they come from all over the city of Louisville, from a variety of socio-economic situations. Each student brings a unique personality to our classroom community, and they all work hard to become â€Å"smarter and smarter† and to â€Å"go to college†. Thirteen students are boys and eleven a re girls. Of these twenty-four students, three of them are English Language Learners. Additionally, eight students receiveRead MoreChallenging Inequity: . 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WomenRead MoreEssay on Gender Equity in Education1632 Words   |  7 PagesGender Equity in Education Gender equity issues in mathematics and science have been the focus of many educators and researchers for years. Women have often been denied an equal education in math and science for many reasons. Parents and teachers must realize this fact and change their habits wherever necessary. Girls must be given the same opportunity as boys from the beginning, particularly in math and science where girls tend to lag behind. First of all, the term gender equity mustRead MoreEssay on Gender Bias in the Classroom1589 Words   |  7 PagesGender Bias in the Classroom RESEARCH IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND THEORIES OF LEARNING Gender inequity is not only learned and accepted in the socialization process that starts at home, but is also present in the school environment form the very early years. Parents and teachers consciously or unconsciously reinforce sex stereotypes. 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