Chapter 3: How to Pursue High Expectations for Teaching and Learning

Ch. 3 expresses the importance of pursuing high expectations in these times where accountability is vital. In the law NCLB, it is important for teachers to be highly qualified and teach information based on support from scientifically based research. To me, this means that practices should be implemented that has research that shows that it is effective. In order to get to that area, there are two big ideas that the chapter discusses. They include textbook-based big ideas and standards-based big ideas. Textbook-based big ideas include obtaining content knowledge and organizing that knowledge. Standards-based big ideas are based on curriculums for the state requirements. For example, a standard based big idea would come from Mississippi’s Educational framework. However, both are desired goals of learning. Being that they are, teachers should set high expectations for their students. In order to do so, they should instruct students in such a manner that they connect information, assess students, give them accurate time to accomplish goals, and monitor progress. By doing so, they will build community and learn the personalized instruction needed for each student.