Blog # 2

While I agree that students need to master most of the eight skills discussed in this chapter, I am not entirely convinced that it is the responsibility of an English teacher to ensure that students come out of one's classroom with these "necessary" skills. Change is good, but when taken too far it can become more focused on changing everything rather than considering if change is even needed in the first place. The main responsibility of an English teacher should be to present topics in literature and writing which does not have to be as boring as it sounds. How is an English teacher supposed to incorporate eight entirely new topics for learning while still teaching and inspiring students through literature? The author of this particular chapter suggests that teachers should teach students the skill of adapting by inviting special speakers to inform the students on how to function in work world; this is obviously a beneficial skill to learn but it seems to me that this matter  would be better taught through special school events or something of that nature. English teachers can fit all of this in when they can, but they should not be made to feel guilty if they are not somehow intertwining earth awareness in their subject material. Maybe environment awareness can be better presented in a biology class like one of the sections mentioned.

I'm not saying that English teachers should not attempt to include the eight skills suggested in this chapter; it is of my opinion that some of those skills can be better taught by administration or in other classes. If an English teacher focuses on these eight skills they may find themselves losing focus on what their main priority should be-- teaching students the importance of reading and writing about literature.