Social Structures in Middle-Class Schools

This is the exact behavior that these students are being taught to learn.
             The middle-class schools consisted of parents with skilled jobs such as "construction workers, city jobs, accountants, and technicians"" (176). The students were taught to follow directions with the goal of getting the right answers. Grades were based upon the accumulation of the students correct answers. Anyon believes that teachers allowed students to have some choice, make decisions, and figure things out on their own. Teachers made sure that the students understood what they were learning, and students were encouraged to speak their minds. Students were also encouraged to be neat and organized. In math, the students also learned two-digit division. In language arts, they learned grammar. In social studies, the students also learned United States history. The types of jobs that the parents hold require some independence of decision making to know right from wrong, which is the type of curriculum the students are being taught. .
             The affluent professional schools are composed of parents with professional jobs. The parents are involved with assisting their children with their schoolwork. Anyon believes that the students are being taught to work independently and apply ideas to their assignments. Teachers negotiate with their students and students are encouraged to be independent. In math, the students learned averages. In language arts, students are asked to write creatively. In social studies, they learned ancient civilization. In science class, the students worked with hands-on experiences. When students needed to use the restrooms they signed out on the blackboard and did not need a hall pass. The parents in these schools hold jobs such as interior designers, corporate lawyers, and cardiologists, all jobs that require expressing one's thoughts, choosing the appropriate methods to complete a task, and having a creative mind.