Outstanding students in grades ELA-7 were honored Wednesday, May 14, during a special recognition ceremony in the Van Es Arena of the Huffman Athletic Center.
Research shows that students perform better, especially in math and science, when placed in gender-based classes. Darlington fourth-graders have had the opportunity to test this theory for the last three years.<br /><br />
For a few weeks each spring, students separate into gender-based classes for reading, allowing them the opportunity to study different novels. They also separate for science. <br /><br />
“It is interesting that Greene County Schools in east central Georgia has recently implemented single-gender academic classes throughout their entire school system,” said fourth-grade teacher Flo Anthony. “Although that is not in the Lower School’s future, it has definitely made for a great experience in our fourth grade.”<br /><br />
The girls are reading “Lily’s Crossing” by Patricia Reilly Giff, which focuses on a young girl during World War II. The boys are reading “Sign of the Beaver” by Elizabeth George Speare, a story about a young boy left alone to take care of his family’s cabin in the wilderness. <br /><br />
“Both protagonists are about the same age and gender as our students,” Anthony said. “Each faces a number of difficult challenges along the course of the story. As the characters develop, the students are finding that they have more and more in common with them.” <br /><br />
Students have responded positively to the split. “In an all-girl class, I feel less pressured,” said Lillie Bradshaw. “The other girls have an open mind, which makes me feel more comfortable sharing my thoughts.” <br /><br />
Rachel Jacobs enjoys working with the girls from the other fourth-grade class. “We get to be in class with our friends from Mrs. Anthony’s class,” she said.<br /><br />
Sally Jones is happy to be reading a book that is appealing to girls. “I like being able to get together and read a girly book,” she said. <br /><br />
The boys had similar responses. “I enjoy reading a book that is just about boys,” said Ivy Brandon.<br /><br />
Classmate Vraj Patel said he is much more comfortable talking in front of his peers in the single-gender reading class. “I feel better discussing the novel and sharing my point of view,” he said.
