Vignette 2

Let the Kids Know What’s Coming!


**** I answered the wrong questions for this blog, I will write my correct response in red ****

            This vignette was a very easy read and a good indicator of how every teacher is different and how teachers do things and view things differently in their classroom. I believe that Ms. Emerson lets her students know what the course expectations and evaluations are beforehand because she feels that if her students know at the beginning what they need to do in order to achieve a good grade in her class they are more likely to succeed. Also, by doing this when she gives an assignment she can just tell the students to refer to the handout that she gave them at the beginning of the year to know what is acceptable and what is not. Personally I would have mixed feelings about this because when I was in school and teachers gave us a big package of information I would never read it and was overwhelmed about it. Looking at it from an educator’s point of view I feel that it makes it easier for the teacher through the year. Pre-planning of classroom instruction helps grading practices because it allows the teacher to become familiar and confident in her work which in the long run will help the teacher and the student to become successful in the school year. If the students know what the expectations are and what they need to do as a student can help them prepare themselves for success. I feel that when students especially in middle school feel and receive success they are more likely to continue on to be successful, or at least give it their best.

Beginning of the school year is a busy time of the year for teachers but being prepared is key. Letting the students know their expectations and what the year will be compassing in the beginning will help lessen confusion and often help with classroom management. I will be sharing the learning outcomes and evaluation criteria with my students in the start of the year. We have learned that backwards by design is very good and if the students can do their work with the end result in mind it may lead to higher quality work. By sharing the evaluation criteria in the beginning the students will know how what they will need to do to receive an appropriate grade for what the quality of work that they hand in. I believe that if the students know the criteria from the start they will be use to the expectations and will be less likely to not complete work in a 75% range or lower. I think that huge packages of information are unrealistic to students so creating a 1-2 page summary of expectations will put things straight and to the point. The students will be able to relate easily to a summary of expectations and it will be easier for them to remember and look back at.

            Giving the students something relatable to the curriculum and their expectations is very important. If it is done right from the beginning students will have a higher chance of success.