Adjusting+to+change+in+expectations

MaryJo If they are used to perfunctory assignments followed by top down grading, the dyanmics of your teaching will feel incredibly different to them- and different can be scary. p. 125

It made me think of Karin's students' work. They are taking more and more chances knowing that it is not graded. So now she could have them work on a piece and turn it into a final draft. The simple steps we started the class with can now be turned into something more grand.

Pam's comments: I think that when given the chance and opportunity, students will step up to the plate and take a chance to write. It will take the fear out of writing and get students empowered with the writing that they do.

My students are definitely taking more chances. They are becoming more creative and today they even asked to take a math concept introduced last Friday and write about it today. I did explain to them that if they were really good we would publish them so everyone could read them. I glanced at them already and they were very creative. They made a fairy tale about good and evil. This was based on positive and negative numbers and multiplying them.

Mark's Comments: My first wonder is whose piece this is. Since i'm not sure I will add that even as adults we want to feel comfortable. If students are comfortable with their work I wonder what the outcome could be for them in the ability to express themeselves.

susans comments: My students are also taking more chances. I like that. It tool awhile, and I think part of it is that I am more comfortable with offering the assignments.