"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work" by Jean Anyon

1. "Work tasks do not usually request creativity [in the middle class school]. Serious attention is rarely given in school work on how the children develop or express their own feelings and ideas, either linguistically or in graphic form."

I chose this quote because I think that creativity should be present in every activity. If students are not asked to be creative, then there's no room for individuality. It's impossible to determine one student's work from another's.

2. "The products of work in this class [in the affluent professional school] are often highly valued by the children and the teacher."

This quote stuck out to me because I think that every child, no matter their social standing should be proud of the work they have completed and so should their teacher. If a teacher does not show that they care about their students' work, then they will feel poorly about themselves and may not put in an effort.

3. "Schoolwork helps one to achieve, to excel, to prepare for life."

I chose this quote because I think that's it's not completely true. Sure, school does help students to prepare for life, but there are many things that one needs to live a successful life that they cannot learn in the classroom. Social skills are a part of this. We do need to learn math and how to write in order to be able to properly communicate, but many of our experiences outside of school contribute to our preparedness for life.

Having gone to school in town where the schools would be categorized as affluent professional schools, this article opened my eyes to what else is out there. I never knew that students who attend working class schools are treated so poorly. Their teachers give directives and don't explain themselves. I find it troubling that these students aren't given more positive attention. Children from low income families need teachers that will make them feel good about themselves, not cut them down.