Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work-Jean Anyon
This article was easy to read and very informative. Jean Anyon observed 5 elementary schools and concluded on different economic backgrounds. She observed the working class to the Executive Elite Class. Each level offered different option to new methods of teaching. The schools need to know what their students needs are in order to determine a method of teaching according to the standards. This article shows how gender, race, socio-economic status has so much to do with the decision of what the curriculum will be. The teachers approach is very important. How she delivers her lesson should be well thought out. There are many ways to plan a curriculum from Direct teaching which teaches directly with hand signals and continued directions. And Hidden Curriculum that offers teaching methods that are brought into the classroom from culture and climate from the students and families as well as the demographics of the area to which the school is in.
As we know, education is important. It is intended to broaden our society. Therefore "curriculum and teaching methods need to be well thought out and planned accordingly.
The Working School is following steps of procedure. Which might be helpful to those students who need direction. The Middle-Class School work on getting the right answers by following directions. Most lessons are based on the textbook. Critical perspective is not involved. Work tasks are not creative. Affluent Professional Schools work is creative and carried out independently. One's product is usually evaluated for the quality of its expression and for the appropriateness of its conception to the task. Much family involvement takes place. The teacher's ask the children to expand what they say and to give more details. This seems to be the most traditional method of teaching. The Executive Elite School emphasizes reasoning and critical thinking. These children are "naturally" smart. Due to their economic status and life situations. They "get it". They are introduced with language arts at home at very early/young ages due to their teachings at home. These students are given the opportunity to prepare class lessons and be student teachers. The teacher will then evaluate him/her according to criteria where: he/she speaks clearly, the lesson was interesting, the student made any mistakes, and whether he or she kept control of the class. The teacher reminds these students that he/she has the authority in the class while student teaching.
"You are the only driver of your car-and only you can regulate your speed." is an awesome quote!!! In this Elite school the teachers are very polite to the children. and I'm sure in-turn the children are polite to the teachers.
These were interesting samples of contrasting social classrooms and different methods of teaching. Quite interesting!!!
Maybe these schools in range are continuing the process by not intending to have the working class students not succeed. Maybe the teachers are only teaching them the basics and treating them in a way that might be telling them that this is as far as you will ever get. It appears that the middle class and elite are given better teaching opportunities as well as more respect from their teachers. It would be nice to separate these classes evenly and to teach the same across the board regardless of social class. Education should be an equal opportunity as it is offered after graduation in the workforce.