The Annual Slippery Rock University College of Education Symposium
April 7, 2000
Exploring Gender Issues in Education
Morning Keynote Speaker, David Sadker
Presentation for an Afternoon Concurrent Session
Female Role Models for Students Studying Mathematics/Science:
Advice to Teachers
by
Patsy Ann Johnson, Ph. D.
Provide Contemporary Role Models -- People Within the Classroom.
1. Use inclusive language.
2. Do not separate male and female students for walking from one place to another, for participating in spelling bees or other classroom competitions, and for giving presentations about what has been learned.
3. Assign all classroom tasks to male and female students. Rotate tasks often, both in small groups and whole-class situations.
4. Ask male and female students the same number and type of oral questions during class discussions. Use plenty of wait time. Probe for deeper answers from females as often as from males.
5. View yourself as a role model, and act accordingly.
Provide Contemporary Role Models -- People Outside the Classroom.
1. In examples, exercises, and problems, include many nontraditional roles related to home life and employment.
2. Be explicit about sex stereotyping in textbooks, videotapes, and other curriculum materials.
3. Arrange for older students to work with younger students in order to help them develop insight concerning educational experiences.
4. Have women speak about their personal development and their nontraditional occupations.
5. Take students on field trips to locations where both men and women have leadership responsibilities.
6. Require that students interview adult friends and relatives about their use of mathematics and science, both at home and in a job. Have students share their findings through oral reports, charts, or other means.
7. Involve parents in programs, such as Family Math and Family Science.
8. Require that students write a report about a particular career using information from published sources and from letters to individuals having that career.
Provide Historical Role Models -- Professional Mathematicians and Scientists.
1. Request that a school librarian order books about women mathematicians and scientists. Give a bibliography listing these books to this librarian.
2. Ask students to list all the names they know of women mathematicians and scientists. Have students share information about these women.
3. Have students write reports about famous women, relating their education, family, and work experiences.
4. Have students make bulletin boards about women mathematicians and scientists.
5. Use textbooks, videotapes, and other curriculum materials containing information about women mathematicians and scientists.
6. Provide biographical information about scientists and mathematicians when presenting the ideas they developed.
7. Tell stories about women scientists and mathematicians.
8. Discuss in class the obstacles women have overcome, driven on by their strong desire to learn and use mathematics and science.