The purpose of this blog is to share interesting ideas I have found in recent American professional publications dealing with the teaching of English at all levels, elementary, secondary and college.

Topic: Expectations

Title: “Making Conversation.” Robert Gardner. English Journal (May 2008), 15-16. A publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Summary: At a party, a college teacher bewails the quality of student writing he sees. High school teacher asks, “Did you tell them what you expect?” He replies, “Shouldn’t they know how to write?”

Comment: It’s hard not to laugh at that response. If students don’t know what is expected, how will they be able to produce what the teacher wants? Teachers, especially writing teachers, differ in what they expect and students are often caught in the middle.

Good to remind ourselves to explain what we expect to our students, especially in writing.

‘Nuff said. One of those forgotten pieces of common sense about teaching that causes problems for students. RayS.