Do you know what teacher expectations and priorities are? Teacher expectations are the things that your teacher expects from you. They are the ways that your teacher wants you to complete assignments and study. Teacher priorities have to do with what your teacher thinks is the most important. For example, your science teacher may want you to spend only a few minutes studying your notes each night, but he or she may want you to spend a lot of time and effort on the homework. This would tell you that your teacher thinks the homework is very important, or a high priority.
Now, here's another question: why is it important for you to understand your teacher's expectations and priorities? The answer is that it will help you succeed in school. You will know the best ways to prepare for tests and do well on homework. You will better master the information that your teacher wants you to learn. And, you will know where to focus your time and effort.
Let's learn about the areas in which your teacher may have certain expectations and priorities:
Studying and Homework Your teacher may want you to focus on a textbook when you study and do homework. He or she may expect that you will read from the book on your own and then answer questions. Your teacher may want you to use the textbook to learn and memorize information. Or, your teacher may want you to focus on class notes and handouts. Your teacher may even want you to use all of these. No matter what, it will help you to study and to learn if you know you have the right materials and know where to look for the correct information.
Tests Think about the types of tests your teacher gives. Are the tests based on the textbook, class notes, hand-outs, or all of these? Also, your teacher may give tests that are mostly made up of multiple choice questions. Or, your teacher might give short-answer and essay tests. Knowing what your test will look like will help you study.
Answers Your teacher will likely have expectations about how you answer questions on tests, quizzes, and homework. Some teachers allow brief, concise answers, while others want detailed answers written in complete sentences. Knowing how to answer questions will help you earn high scores.
Grades You should know how your teacher calculates your overall grade in the class. For example, your teacher may weigh class projects more heavily than essays. Your teacher may also include class participation in your overall grade. Understanding how your teacher comes up with your grade will help you understand what he or she thinks is the most important. Then you will know where to focus your time and attention.
Behavior Your teacher will likely have rules about how you should behave in class. For instance, your teacher may want you to raise your hand every time you want to speak or ask a question. Or your teacher may like class discussions that are more open and relaxed. Your teacher might want you to work silently on your own. Or, your teacher may want you to work with others. You should know what your teacher expects of you in the classroom so that you are the best student that you can be.
How can you uncover your teacher's expectations and priorities? Look at the table below for some tips.
Carefully read the comments that your teacher writes on your tests, quizzes, homework, and class assignments. These comments will tell you what your teacher wants to see and what you are doing well.
Talk to your teacher about his or her expectations. This is a great way to ask any questions you have about tests or assignments. And, it will show your teacher that you care about being a great student.
Imagine that your teacher calculates your overall grade in the following way:
Homework - 30% Tests - 40% Projects - 20% Class Participation - 10%
What does your teacher think is the most important, or the highest priority?
Please evaluate the student's answers:
Excellent
Good
Okay