The Homework Machine

Childhood, particularly the school-age years, is a critical period of social development, where identities and affiliations to particular groups form. By fifth grade, students have migrated toward others with similar family, racial, socioeconomic, physical or other unifying traits and dynamics that provide people with a sense of who they are. This is clearly shown within the D Squad. Each member is entrenched in a defined social group. Judy is the high-achieving student in the gifted and talented program. Being African American in a mostly white school places an added layer of societal pressure on her to succeed. Judy is described as “stuck-up” and “snotty” by Kelsey’s friend. Kelsey, on the other hand, is described as “white trash” by Judy’s friend. She comes from a lower-income, single-parent household and has little motivation to do well at school. Kelsey’s mother dyes her hair and has no issues with Kelsey expressing herself with hair dye and piercings. Kelsey has her group of like-minded friends who do not tolerate her hanging out with Judy or Snik. Snik is new to the school, but his self-crafted social identity is clear—he wants to be the cool kid in class. He is cocky, loud, and judgmental.