What Is the Hidden Curriculum?
Examples in the Classroom
Who’s Involved?
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dealing With the Hidden Curriculum
100

What does "hidden" mean in the term "hidden curriculum"?

What is "not openly taught or written in lesson plans"

100

What might a student learn about behavior from classroom routines?

how to follow rules, wait their turn, and stay quiet

100

Who plays a role in creating the hidden curriculum?

both teachers and students

100

What is one benefit of the hidden curriculum?

teaching students important social skills like cooperation?

100

What’s one way a teacher can become more aware of the hidden curriculum?

by reflecting on their own teaching practices

200

How is the hidden curriculum different from the official curriculum?

It's learned informally through experience, not formally taught

200

If a teacher always praises students who speak perfect English, what message might students learn?

that only certain ways of speaking are valued

200

How can school policies contribute to the hidden curriculum?

by promoting certain behaviors, values, or social expectations

200

How can the hidden curriculum help prepare students for adult life?

by teaching workplace behaviors like punctuality and teamwork

200

What should teachers do if students are focusing on different things than expected?

Having discussions to align goals and expectations

300

What does the hidden curriculum usually teach about society?

social values like conformity, obedience, or punctuality

300

What can school dress codes teach students indirectly?

What is what's considered "appropriate" or "professional" appearance?

300

How do classmates influence the hidden curriculum?

through peer pressure, social norms, and group behavior

300

What is one weakness or risk of the hidden curriculum?

What is that it can reinforce stereotypes or inequality?

300

Why should the curriculum be flexible instead of strict and prescriptive?

to adapt to students' real learning needs and stages

400

What is one reason why the hidden curriculum can go unnoticed by teachers?

because it's often unconscious or unintentional

400

How does seating students in rows affect what they learn socially?

that it reinforces order, control, and limited interaction

400

What is one way parents can be involved in the hidden curriculum?

by influencing school values or pushing for certain programs

400

How can the hidden curriculum affect student motivation?

by rewarding conformity and discouraging creativity

400

What type of training can help teachers manage the hidden curriculum better?

in-service or ongoing professional development

500

What are two types of curriculum the hidden curriculum influences

Formal curriculum, taught curriculum, learned curriculum.

500

What message might students receive if only certain cultures are represented in classroom posters and books?

that some cultures are more important or normal than others

500

What role does school leadership (principals, admin) play in the hidden curriculum?

What is by setting school culture, rules, and discipline policies?

500

What is the danger of ignoring the hidden curriculum?

that harmful biases or gaps in learning can go unnoticed

500

What system can schools use to improve curriculum awareness?

A revisable, continuous evaluation system