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About Ken Jensen
Expertise
I can answer questions related to secondary math and science. I specialize in problem based curriculum and instruction.

Experience
I am a 20 year veteran Math and Science teacher. I have taught at both the middle and high school levels, and I am currently a Math Coach in the Aurora Public Schools, Aurora Colorado. As a coach, I train other math teachers in the use of research based best instructional practices. I post regularly to the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) list serve as well as to my district's standards based grading website. I was honored with the Colorado Teacher of the Year award by the Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics three years ago and have presented at their conference in past years. I particularly enjoy working with parents who question why math is taught so much differently then when they were students.

Organizations
Association Of Supervision and Curriculum and Development National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics

Publications
NCSM list serve CoMath list serve National Science Teachers Association: The Science Teacher.

Education/Credentials
Master of Arts: K-12 interdisciplinary studies. University of Northern Colorado Adminstrative certificate: Denver University

Awards and Honors
CCTM Colorado Teacher of the Year

Past/Present Clients
I currently provide professional development both directly and indirectly to 45 high school math teachers, 12 middle school math teachers, and 8 building level adminstrators.

You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Special Education > Teaching Advice > classroom participation girls

Teaching Advice - classroom participation girls

Expert: Ken Jensen - 10/31/2009

Question
Hi
what would you do if you had more boys and girls in the classroom? how would you ensure that girls would speak more, feel less comfortable, since it's a classroom full of boys.
Thanks
Maria

Answer
Maria,
Girls and boys do think differently. As a result they communicate, problem solve, and relate to both you and each other differently. I would suggest that you look into the work of Michael Gurrian and the Gurrian institute. He has done some of the best work around on the differences and similarities on boys and girls, especially as it relates to education.

As far as working with students who are reluctant to share their thoughts in class, I believe that the first step is to make then comfortable with their thoughts. Have shy students share their ideas with on other student, then two others. Facilitate the conversations giving the shy student confidence in their thinking. Help them to believe that they have something worth sharing. Chances are the girls are holding alot of really good ideas, and the boys need to hear them. Your job is to facilitate the transfer of this information.

Ken Jensen

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