I decided to check out the blog links that are on our TappedIn home page. I went to the http://firstyearteacher.blogspot.com/. This site was made by a first year teacher who is now in her third year of teaching. I read over several of her entries and loved how she is so candid about her experiences. If seems like she is very involved in not only her school but in her children's individual lives. I read over one particular blog entry that was particularly interesting. She was blogging about a recent committee meeting that she attended because"that is what English teachers do". It was a meeting between the middle school and high school teachers about how the middle school teachers could help the students be more prepared for high school. The middle school teachers have to be very open in my opinion because I feel like this could turn into a personal attack like why haven't you done this yet kind of thing. Anyway, she commented about how the high school teachers gave a long list of criteria that the students should have already completed by the time they get to high school. Here are some examples from the list: 1. Research and prepare a four page paper using proper MLA formatting, correct grammar, punctuation, voice, and audience. 2. Create and present a ten-minute presentation with multi-media visuals. 3. Recognize verbal phrases and causes. 4. Demonstrate understanding of indirect and direct objects and object complements. 5. Understand, use, and write in Standard English in the classroom. 6. Independently read and discuss novels. The teacher was in shock at this list and honestly, so am I!! That is a lot of responsibility to place solely on the shoulder's of these middle school teachers. It makes you wonder what the high school teachers will actually be teaching? Anyway, the teacher sat in disbelief and mad the comment that she didn't think her students would be able to make it to that level. Her comment was met by several gasps and dirty looks for fellow colleagues. Some of her students can't READ, so how in the world will they be able to complete these assignments! She makes an extremely valid point, our students should be learning the basics first and then building upon them. I really like her blog and will continue to look at it for more insightful teaching experiences!