1. Teacher: “Jack is rubbish at sociology. He can’t do it.”
IN PAIRS - Why is Jack likely to fail his sociology exam? Extension: Linking to Howard Becker’s study, what might Jack’s background be like?
In pairs – ask the other to explain what the other one thought.

2. The self-fulfilling prophecy
The BIG Idea
The self-fulfilling prophecy
Discover what a self fulfilling prophecy is, and how it is linked to the idea of teacher labelling in education.
To outline and evaluate a key research study in to the self fulfilling prophecy.
We are Learning to...
Relationships and processes within schools, with particular reference to teacher/pupil relationships, pupil identities and subcultures, the hidden curriculum, and the organisation of teaching and learning
In today’s lesson...
GOOD learning …
Be able to describe what the self fulfilling prophecy in education is, using an example.
Make a simple reference to sociological research.
GREAT learning …
Be able to describe what the self fulfilling prophecy in education is, using more than one example.
Describe one study into how it can effect working class underachievement in detail.
EVEN BETTER …
Be able to describe what the self fulfilling prophecy in education is, using more than one an example.
Describe and evaluate one study into how it can effect working class underachievement in detail.
HOW DO WE EVALUATE 2

3. Teacher Labelling Take a student-teacher interaction each.
Consider it yourself, then discuss them in your groups:
Q1) What does the teacher think of you?
Q2) In what ways might that affect what you do in school?

4. Teacher Labelling Q1) What does the teacher think of you?
Your teacher gives you tasks to do which are quite basic, and which don’t really challenge you.
Your teacher seems quite tense around you, and speaks to you in a formal way.
Your teacher gives you quite challenging tasks to do.
Your teacher is relaxed when speaking to you.
Your teacher often asks you to answer questions in class, and gives you quite a lot of time to answer.
Your teacher doesn’t ask you many questions in class, and when he does, they are usually simple ‘yes or no’ questions.
Your teacher listens to your answers in class and tries to help push you towards a better answer.
Your teacher moves on from your answer in a class very quickly.
Q1) What does the teacher think of you?
Q2) In what ways might that affect what you do in school?

5. A Self-fulfilling Prophecy in Schools
A prediction that comes true simply because of it having been made.
STEP 1
The teacher labels a pupil (e.g. very intelligent or very stupid), and makes predictions about how he will do. THIS IS ‘THE PROPHECY.’
STEP 2
The teacher treats that pupil differently (e.g. more attention, higher expectations or lesser attention, lesser expectations).
STEP 3
The pupil sees how he is treated and starts to internalise (believe) the teacher’s expectation of him, which effects his confidence and self esteem, so he becomes the kind of pupil the teacher expected.
THE PROPHECY IS FULFILLED!

8. Read all about it on p.28
Rosenthal & Jacobson’s “Pygmalion” Experiment (1968)
Q1 – How did their experiment test the ideas of labelling theory?
Q2 – Why do you think the ‘spurters’ did better than the other children over the year?

9. A Modern Example? – Setting/Streaming
Pupils separated into different ability groups, or ‘streams.’
How could this encourage the ‘self-fulfilling prophecy?’
Teachers alter their teaching style and content to fit with their expectations of the pupils.
Extension: What studies have we looked at so far that suggest W/C children are more likely to be placed in lower sets?

10. A Modern Example? – Setting/Streaming
Based on your knowledge of Gillborn & Youdell’s Educational Triage / A-C Economy, separate your Y11 Form Class, and current Form Class into the three separate categories.

11. Make a simple reference to sociological research.
“What is the ‘Self-fulfilling Prophecy,’ and how can it affect working class students’ achievement in education?”
GOOD learning …
Be able to describe what the self fulfilling prophecy in education is, using an example.
Make a simple reference to sociological research.
GREAT learning …
Be able to describe what the self-fulfilling prophecy in education is, using more than one example.
Describe one study into how it can effect W/C underachievement in detail.
EVEN BETTER …
Be able to describe what the self-fulfilling prophecy in education is, using more than one example.
Describe and evaluate one study into how it can affect W/C underachievement in detail. Look back at labelling lesson.
READ YOUR PARTNER’S WORK. Give them a success and a target, focusing on how they might improve. 11

12. Anti-school Subcultures The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Cultural Deprivation
Material Deprivation
Cultural Capital
Labelling
Anti-school Subcultures
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

13. Anti-school Subcultures The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Labelling
Cultural Deprivation
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Cultural Capital
Material Deprivation