Great Expectations

It's a fine line: expecting great things from my students vs. expecting too much from them. Am I pushing some kids too hard? I had a moment today when I interpreted a student's body language to be telling me that the work I was asking him to do was too challenging--that frustration was about to overcome him, and he was ready to shut down and stop trying. Eeks! Afterward, he didn't seem convinced by my reassuring words and encouraging suggestions . . . which is too bad, because he is so talented. Maybe tomorrow will be better.