Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
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Hidden Curriculum
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Author:  Jennifer Hodges [ Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Hidden Curriculum

In our discussion on Thursday and our reading of The Daily Grind, we have learned more about the hidden curriculum in our schools. In almost every classroom across America students are sitting quietly during seatwork, walking in a line to PE, and raising their hands before they speak. Schools are simply not set up for noise and messes, but it seems that sometimes they could be used to really enhance learning. Kids learn in different ways, and I'm not sure that teachers always accomodate the best interest of the individual child. Can they really teach every child the way they need to be taught, especially with the pressure of testing and sticking to the curriculum standards? What can we do as a new generation of teachers fitting into a school with established ("old school") teachers to change the way things are done? It is not easy to rock the education boat. Any ideas?

Author:  Dani Martin [ Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:49 pm ]
Post subject: 

As much as we would all want and recognize the need to teach every child the way they need to be taught, I think it would be very difficult to do. I think two things that really throw that off is the fact that we do have testing and curriculum standards we have to keep in mind.

Things have been done the same way in schools for so long, and seem to work for the most part. That is what makes it more difficult for teachers to actually try and change things. I think people become too skeptical of what the outcome might be if we try to do something a different way in order to accommodate more students' needs. Its not the 'norm' so people avoid it and stick with what works most of the time.

Last semester I was in a music class where we went out to Two Rivers Community School to teach a music lesson once a week. Two Rivers is a charter school and is different in the way they approach the curriculum. From the short time I was there I felt that they were able to accommodate the needs of most if not all of their students, while still sticking with the standard course of study and having fun while doing it. The whole atmosphere of the school had a more laid back approach and was more accepting of each student. There wasn't much negativity in the discipline, but rather a way of positively correcting the students and showing them how to do something a different way to channel their energy. I think that taking away the negativity that comes when most teachers get frustrated with their students was a great thing. It really makes a difference in how the students respond and in their willingness to participate in school.

Author:  JustinCoffey [ Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  Why sweat the small stuff?

I think that teachers that constantly correct student behavior, especially the small things (ie. Look at me when I am speaking, sit up straight) are being lazy with their discipline. These teachers are scared of having bigger classroom issues so they correct all of the small unimportant behaviors. I also think that being in a large school, teachers tend to be more up tight because they have many administrators keeping constant watch. At smaller schools or Charter schools like the one Dani mentioned, teachers have a more laid back atmosphere because the small stuff isn't affecting everyday class the important thing is learning. I think more teachers should take a more laid back approach, and worry less about unimportant student behavior.

Author:  Dana Currin [ Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:43 am ]
Post subject: 

I agree with what Justin previously stated, being that many teachers constantly correct small issues (such as sitting up straight, raising your hand before speaking, etc.) that occur in their classroom to try to help avoid the bigger issues. While doing this, teachers are helping the students learn respect and behave properly (depending on your idea of behaving properly), but at the same time they are wasting so much quality learning time on ridiculous things. I do feel that it is very important for the students to respect the teacher, and some of these things are considered to be disrespectful; but whose to say that a particular student doesn't learn better leaned over in their desk or another student may be afraid they will forget what they were going to say before they are called on by raising their hand? I know that when I begin teaching that I will be guilty of doing this sometime because I do feel that classroom management is very important, but at the same time I will try to catch myself doing this and correct it. Children are going to be children and there isn't much anyone can do about it.

Author:  Katie Tyndall [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:13 pm ]
Post subject: 

We all have gone through years of schooling where this hidden curriculum has affected our educational experience. Ideally teachers would be able to overlook the small events in the classroom so that they can spend that time teaching and focusing more on individual students. Unfortunately I think a lot of teachers become overwhelmed by everything that is contained within the walls of their classroom. When faced with a classroom full of students who each have different needs while trying to maintain equality and educational progress is quite a difficult task to undertake. I think the hidden curriculum is something that many teachers don't even realize they are incorporating it into their classrooms. Because we are all brought up in schools where the hidden curriculum is present, unless we put effort into changing our ways these hidden agendas are going to creep back into our habits of daily life. I don't think many teachers sit down and decide that they are going to fuss at every student for every little disruption, I think it is more of a reflex reaction because of experience with others handling that same situation. The hidden curriculum will always be a part of the educational experience. The difference comes in how much a teacher strives to break those habits and meet the needs of their students rather than try to micromanage an entire classroom of individuals.

Author:  Kelsey McGraw [ Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:18 am ]
Post subject: 

I agree that classroom management is very important and that the little, unimportant corrections come from teachers trying to maintain good classroom management, but I'm one of those students that if I look like I'm paying attention during a class I'm usually not. It's when I look like I'm not listening to a word that the teacher is saying that I'm truly paying attention. When I'm listening I'm usually leaned back in my chair and fidgeting or doodling. For some reason that is when I take in and remember the most information. Where did this idea come from that if a student isn't sitting up straight and looking directly at the teacher then they couldn't possibly be listening? I'm sure that there is some truth to this for some students but, in my opinion, generalizations shouldn't be made in education because every student is different!

Author:  Kerry Smith [ Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:33 pm ]
Post subject: 

I agree with the previous posts that classroom management is very important to the learning environment of the classroom. If students are constantly getting up and walking around, talking, or other big distractions then I believe the teacher should speak with the child about it. If however, the student is doing an activity such as looking down, sitting slumped, or doodling that in no way is affecting the learning of other students, then I see no reason for the teacher to comment on this behavior. We are all unique individuals, which means that we must learn and listen differently as well.


When it comes to changing the system I think modifications to our education system need to made, but I do not think that a complete overhaul of the system is realistic. We will always have tests to prepare and the standard course of study as our guideline. I think that as future educators though we can do something different about the way we prepare to meet these obligations. We need to know when and have the resources to be able to be creative when following these guidelines. I taught with Dani at Two Rivers Community School and I felt that they did a great job of creative teaching. The hour a week I was there was always full of activities and examples that would engage all of the students. They did not follow normal classroom procedures of sit still and quiet. These students got to move around, create things, and actively participate in their lessons. I think this is a great example of something for me to look to and emulate for my future classroom.

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