The Hidden And Null Curriculum

In “The Daily Grind: Lessons in the Hidden Curriculum”, Peggy Orenstein gives an observation of an eighth graders day in math class at middle school. Orenstein in this selection is trying to give the reader a view of how there is a gender gap between girls and boys and how control of power is different between male and female. In the beginning Orenstein states that Mrs. Ritcher the math teacher, “is a ruddy athletic woman with a powerful voice.”(97) While class is in session, Orenstein observes the teacher showing more attention towards the boys then the girls. The author observes that: “Allison, a tall, angular girl who once told me, “My goal is to be the best wife and mother I can be,” raises her hand to ask a question. Mrs. Ritcher, finishing

Critical issues facing educators today include; educational inequity, socio-economic status of students, cultural diversity, stereotyping, dominate cultural paradigms, and social disadvantage. Because of these issues, educators will be best prepared for classroom life if they find ways to adapt and modify the learning environment in order, to provide for inclusive regardless of the learners needs. All children in Australia are presented with the opportunity to attend schools which are designed to be inclusive for any and all abilities. Due to the diverse nature of the school age population in Australia classrooms are made up of an assortment of needs in relation to social, cognitive, and physical areas of learning.

All rules are displayed in every classroom, children are addressed in assembly everyday and rewarded for good work at the end of the week with pupil of the week, house points, any certificates gained and rewards for good behaviour.

When considering teaching in Further education, I assumed that managing behaviour and having to establish ‘ground rules’ had been left at the school gates, amidst an onslaught of eggs, signed uniforms and flour.

This includes prohibitions against assault and theft or respect for leaders (Source G). Given that students are at an age where they are extremely moldable, it is imperative that they learn these rules in school.

Writing Focus: Reflect on your fieldwork or teaching experiences. Include a question for discussion with the critique.

She told me about her classroom rules which are mutual respect, attentive listening and appreciations no put downs. She spent the first three weeks of school going over these three rules and afterwards she had each student write their name on colored paper which is their contract, their signature on that paper means they will follow those rules throughout the year. She has another rule in her classroom called “Kelso’s Choices”. Kelso’s Choices are nine different choices they can make on how to solve their problems in class. When the students come to an issue they have to choose two of the choices on the poster before going to the teacher. Some of the choices on there include, walking away, talking it out, apologizing, telling them to stop, etc. I really liked the idea of Kelso’s Choices because it teaches them problem solving as well as social skills. Instead of being unfair or going to the teacher they have the opportunity to solve the issues and be fair towards each other.

This model is centred around principles of rights, rules, respect responsibilities, and relationships. Rogers emphasises the need for teachers to establish a set of student led classroom rights, rules and responsibilities during the establishment period of the year (Killian, Ogden, Shipston, & Facas, 2017). These rights, responsibilities and rules entail the behaviours that are expected in the classroom and protect the student’s rights to; feel safe, be treated with respect and to learn. The rules are to be developed reasonably and provide freedom in the sense students are free to move around the boundaries. As the rules are decided and agreed upon by the students, this develops a sense of understanding and accountability for their own behaviour and learning (Edwards, & Watts, 2008). In order to ensure students are respectful to the rights of students, the teacher must also treat students with respect. The teacher must consider the dignity of the students and their rights in the classroom ensuring they avoid any behaviours they

With regards to classroom rules, teachers have a duty to protect students’ constitutional rights and ensure that they are designing rules and procedures that do not restrict or deny students these rights. As agents of the state, teachers have a duty to follow all federal, state, and local laws while exercising their duties as educators. However, teachers can design classroom rules that ensure that there is no disruption of school operations, or interference with the rights of other students, and safeguards against behavior that is in a lewd fashion

There are specific laws and codes of practice in a school setting. It is important to know about them when you work in an education environment as school staff will relay in them in many different situations.

In Kohn’s book, Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community, the first chapter focuses on the different classroom management theories regarding students in the classroom. The chapter discusses how many of these theories are incorrect, and how educators need to look at them under a fine tooth come before implementing them in their own classrooms. Kohn finishes the chapter by discussing what teachers should think about regarding their students when implementing classroom management procedures.

In “The Daily Grind: Lessons in the Hidden Curriculum,” by Peggy Orenstein, the reader is shown the extremely different personalities of the boys and the girls in Mrs. Richter’s class. Orenstein interviews Amy, an eighth grade honor roll student to get a better understanding of the classroom. Amy is a very self-confidant popular young girl but when she enters Mrs. Richter’s math classroom she becomes invisible. She is one of the top dogs in the eighth grade reigning elites but is portrayed as a totally different person in the class. When she enters a classroom with boys who are more confident then her she hides in her shell. This essay has gender inequalities portrayed by showing the boys as more intelligent and intimidating than the girls.

The subject matter that I got to observe was the initial two “I can” statements of their social studies curriculum. Students’ “I can” statements included that “I can help create and follow our class and school rules” and “I can stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance”. I was also able to observe the principle discussing the values of respect, compassion, responsibility, honesty and self-discipline in the classroom, hallway, lunchroom, bathrooms, and riding on the bus. This subject matter is essential for both teaching and learning. The teacher needs to “plan and deliver an integrated, thoughtful, and organized” expectations/rules plan at the beginning of the year that will be effective and efficient throughout the year (Concordia, 2015, p.10). An ineffective plan could bring on a huge negative impact to the classroom and student learning. These rules and skills utilized in the classroom can also help the students’ learn by being able to reflect and understand civic values and identities which will be discussed in future lessons. This understanding can help

Hidden curriculum” refers to unwritten or unspoken rules, expectations, idioms, and metaphors that everyone knows, but are not directly taught. Often, students that lack understanding or knowledge of the unwritten social rules are prone to be bullied, ignored, or misunderstood. Students with learning disabilities struggle with observational skills necessary to understand and interpret these unwritten and unspoken rules. Some of these struggles can be seen in tardiness, use of the cafeteria, location of classes, use of lockers, and much more. Students with learning disabilities can be seen as unmotivated, uninterested, or lazy due to misunderstanding of the unspoken and unwritten rules. Often, students with learning disabilities may misinterpret

I have always been a strong believer in schedules and letting the children know their schedule, and trying to avoid changing it as much as possible, making sure children are given time warnings and are aware that they are getting close to one activity ending and another one begining. As for the interpersonal enviroment, I would like to make it so everyone gets along. That the coworkers and families feel they are valued and that what they say is appreciated and taken into account. I want the entiretly of my enviroment to be a sfae space, allowing everyone to be free to say whats on their mind, for the children to feel safe enought to be able to be themselves and free safe. and I want everyone who comes into my classroom to feel respect from me, these parents are entrusting their child to me and I want them to know this is a safe space for them and their child.