1. Julie F., Lea L., Joshua P., Julianna T., and Jamie W.

2. Part One: An overview of how school influences children Part Two: What the school’s purpose is in the socialization process Part Three: What the school’s purpose is in the socialization process(Why is part 2 and 3 the same?) Part Four: The methods of socialization used by schools Part Five: The role of teachers in socialization

3. Overview School is an important part of the socialization process for young children. For most children, school is the first adventure outside of the family support element into a wider social experience. Schools develop several methods in the process of socialization such as inter-personal relationships, environmental settings, participation, and official curriculum. Inter-personal relationships between teacher, child, and parent are important for an ideal school experience. They teach trust and understanding for all involved, as well as provide support for the child. The child to child relationships are also important because it teaches the child to navigate certain social situations with children their own age, that they wouldn’t necessarily find at home.

4. Continued… Environmental settings are important in the classroom, who’s seated next to whom, resources within the classroom, and minimal distractions, to name a few, all affect the school experience and in turn, the socialization process at school. Also, the way the adults in the classroom carry out themselves serves as a good modeling example for the children. Participation in the classroom is very important as it gets the child to be an active participant in his or her learning environment. Whether it’s participating in making decisions, in arts and crafts, in exercises or sensory experimentations, or in play, it is all a great way of learning because it is hands on or learns by doing. Play is the most important of these because it teaches cooperation, sharing, and problem-solving. All of which are the fundamentals for friendship.

5. Continued… Official curriculum is the centerpiece of each school as it dictates the approach in which the school takes to educate our children. Though there are several different approaches to education, they all share the common goal of enriching and educating our children on several different levels of knowledge, social skills and personal understanding. Not only do they teach the children how to be with each other, but they teach them how to be with themselves. In the following presentation we are going to look at the

6. Methods of Socialization used by Schools There are several methods of socialization used by schools including Operant methods, Observational methods, Cognitive methods, Sociocultural methods, and Apprenticeship methods. 1. Operant methods schools use- Schools are set up to use operant methods of socialization in order to make the school system work. In order to have a system where children will follow the rules and directions, expectations are established, and consequences are in place (classroom management). A. Reinforcement and Punishment- For example, classrooms have color coded charts or “clip up” charts in order to keep the class under control and have a system of rewards and consequences for both desired and negative behavior. B. Feedback- report cards, progress reports, student awards, class cash, etc. C. Learning by doing- School is all about learning by doing, including reading, writing, and math practice every day.

7. Continued… 2. Observational Methods Schools Use: Observational methods are those methods where the effect emerges from imitating. Schools use the observational method through modeling both academic learning and classroom behavior. Schools use teachers, other staff members, and parent volunteers to help model academic learning through teaching techniques and choice of curriculum. Furthermore, children are shown appropriate classroom behavior.

8. Continued… 3. Cognitive Methods Schools Use- This is one of the leading methods that applies to schools. Cognitive methods are the methods where the effect comes from information processing, which is crucial to the ultimate goal of the effectiveness of schools. A. Instruction- Schools have established curriculum and ways of teaching to provide information and knowledge to students. For example, there are different reading and math curriculums such as Open Court, where instruction is scripted, and teachers instruct or give information accordingly to the script. B. Setting Standards- Schools set standards right from the beginning starting with kindergarten readiness. Kids are socialized in ways from infancy to get ready for school. Schools have certain standards they expect when kids enter kindergarten. Many schools having testing and/or kindergarten readiness classes in preparation for kindergarten. They measure kindergarten readiness through communication, making appropriate choices, academic skills, developmental skills, and how kids can focus and concentrate at this age and stage. Schools have statewide grade level standards that are in place to measure academic performance. This creates a lot of pressure on both the teachers and the students to perform at a certain level. C. Reasoning- Schools provide reasoning or explanations for the importance of learning knowledge in each subject matter and promote the importance of learning and obtaining an education.

9. Continued… 4. Sociocultural Methods- This method of socialization plays a big part in schools and can create both positive and negative effects in the socialization process. Sociocultural methods are those methods where the effect comes from conforming to a group. A. Group Pressure- We all know that within each school, peer groups are formed and peer pressure starts at an early age. Children want to fit in and want to be accepted amongst the peers around them. This often leads to conforming in order to fit into peer groups. Some examples of conforming or trying to fit in include wanting to become a cheerleader in order to be “popular.” Students might be pressured into trying alcohol or drugs in order to fit in and feel accepted. B. Traditions and Rituals- Schools have certain traditions and rituals that contribute to the socialization process in schools such as dances, rallies, project grad events, fundraisers, and extra-curricular activities, etc.

10. Continued… 5. Apprenticeship Methods used by Schools- These are methods where the effect comes from guided participation. These are significant socialization methods used by schools because academic instruction and extracurricular activities are taught in a guided participation manner. The teacher or coach gives the instructions and the student follows instruction and learns how to do what is being taught on their own. All of these methods of socialization used by schools play a significant role in a student’s life and thereafter. So much of our socialization process is contributed to the effects of schooling and the experiences that happen during these formidable years of our lives.