Questions

1. In the scenario, the teacher referred to the class as "guys" several times. Is this slang simply a part of our culture and is it pointless to get upset about it? Can language ever be neutral? Does gender-free language make a difference for girls in the classroom?

This slang is indeed a part of our culture but perhaps the issue should still be addressed. Karen Love, our Internship Director says, " It does make a difference". She said that it is wrong because it only addresses 50% of the class; do the girls not need to pay attention? According to O'Connor (1998), when "guys" is used to address every student in the class, it affects the performance of the females in the classroom. Although our intentions may be good when using it, do we want our students' performance to suffer because of the language we use? Becoming aware of the number of times we say it while teaching will likely decrease the amount we use it, as suggested by Love (2010). It is doubtful that gender-free language can exist, but our minor efforts may make a difference for girls in our classrooms.

2. Do you think that teachers give the same number of compliments to boys and girls? Are there gender differences in the type of compliments given? What are the implications of compliments in a classroom?

Although our compliments may be equal in number, compliments are gendered says Hadebe (2009). We may not have noted or be a part of this issue, but it has been said that females are complimented on their appearance (Bendixen-Noe, 1996). Our praise is important in the classroom but should be equal to individual students, equal to each gender, and be focused on appropriate aspects of our students' lives. Although we may mean well by complimenting girls on their clothes, we may want to refrain from this and show an appreciation for extra effort on their recent work. If we compliment girls on their appearance, is that suggesting that our interest lies there?

3. There were several examples of gender bias in this scenario. Describe one that you noticed. Do you think this is a common occurrence in the classroom? What is an example of a gender bias you hold?

__**Gender Bias:**__ U nfair difference in the treatment of men or women because of their sex For example: • Science fair vs. poetry contest (gave handouts according to gender) • Assuming boy could be engineer or principal, girl could be nurse or teacher • Getting mad at girl for talking, not boy (even though he spoke significantly more often)

• __What?__ Teachers unconsciously display gender biases • __Why?__ Deeply entrenched beliefs about gender differences • __Implications__ Actions perpetuate beliefs

• **Personal Example** : Finding male "trouble-makers" endearing (want to //get through// to them), and having less patience with females who exhibit the same behaviours (why are you disrespecting me?)

4. Teaching to the needs of each individual student is very cognitively taxing. We classify students into categories, for example "male" and "female," in an attempt to lighten our cognitive load. What are the risks of assuming that there are "natural, inborn tendencies" for males that differ from those tendencies of females in the classroom?

• Beliefs about what is "natural," implies that everything else is "unnatural" __Ex__: If we believe that females are "naturally" more nurturing, gentle, and passive, then an aggressive, outspoken, assertive girl must be unnatural. • Imposes limitations and acts as an unfounded justification for maintaining status quo • Children are socialized upon entering the classroom and at this point, many gender differences may emerge. • Teach to the needs of individuals, don't teach to the gender.

` • How do we get beyond "legal" gender equality, and actually change entrenched gender ideologies?
 * Other Questions**:

• In terms of career options, where is the line between what is technically available vs. the perception of what is available (socially acceptable) for each gender?

