The Hidden Curriculum: Don't Take it for Granted
You've heard a great deal about the social studies or the science or the math or language arts curriculum. But, are you familiar with the term, " hidden curriculum ?" These are the unwritten or implicit rules we were never taught but just seem to know. The stress of the "first day of school" attire is one example of the hidden curriculum. (Do you remember it?) It's so important to be seen as wearing what everyone else is wearing and not stand out in any way, at least initially. Students with disabilities are often "left in the dark" when it comes to an understanding of the hidden culture within the school. I will never forget the graduating senior girl with whom I worked many years ago. It was the tradition for seniors to wear the same shirt on class day, a shirt that was purchased prior to the actual day. This student was unaware of the tradition and was the only one to attend class day not wearing the shirt. I saw her later that day and she r...