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Literacy 4-6

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Literacy 4-6 > Strategies > Predictability: Environment & Structure

Predictability: Environment & Structure

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Overview

Maintaining consistent classroom routines and schedules ensures that students are able to trust and predict what will happen next. Predictability in the learning environment helps students feel secure because they know the expectations, freeing up their Working Memory so they can apply their cognitive skills to learning.

Use It in the Classroom

Starting at 1:41, watch how this teacher introduces a routine for transitioning from one subject to another. By talking about expectations and practicing, students know what to do to effectively prepare for their next task.

  • Through modeling and teaching schedules and routines, teachers can establish clear expectations for students and show that the classroom is a safe, predictable space to learn. When students complete routine tasks, they have more time to devote to learning and also have the opportunity to learn Inhibition & Self-regulation skills. Some examples of these routines include transitioning, forming groups, and using technology.

    • Design It into Your Product

  • Developers can create consistent interfaces and repetitive structures or frameworks to facilitate predictability within their products. This supports learners by letting them know what to anticipate and allows their Attention to be on learning content.
    • View References

    Resources

    Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
    Examples

    Creating Routines and Procedures

    Examples from Scholastic of how teachers establish classroom routines

    Examples

    Daily Agenda

    Resource on The Learning Accelerator

    Examples

    Ideas for Daily Schedules

    Various examples of ways to structure the school day

    Professional Development

    Predictability and Student Trust

    Blog on the connection between classroom predictability and student trust

    Professional Development

    Understanding Routines and Schedules

    Presentation on the purpose of routines and schedules for supporting students

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Student Background
    Adverse Experiences
    Physical Well-being
    Safety
    Sleep
    Social Supports
    Socioeconomic Status
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Emotion
    Self-regulation
    Social Awareness & Relationship Skills
    Cognition
    Attention
    Cognitive Flexibility
    Inhibition
    Sensory Integration
    Working Memory
    Literacy

    More Teacher Modeling & Support Strategies

    Feedback on Writing

    Providing constructive feedback supports students' writing development by letting them know how to improve their writing.

    Accessible Syntax

    Teachers can support language development by using and providing Syntax that is appropriately leveled (e.g., short, simple structure for young students).

    Accessible Vocabulary

    Teachers support language development by using and providing Vocabulary that is appropriately leveled (e.g., using word wall words).

    Model the Assignment or Skill

    By talking through their thinking at each step of a process, teachers can model what learning looks like.

    Model Positive Connections to Literacy

    By sharing their own reading and writing, teachers can create a literacy community that supports students in finding meaning in their own work.

    Read-alouds

    Reading aloud regularly exposes students to new and familiar Vocabulary and texts.

    Read-alouds: Deliberate Topics

    Reading aloud books about skills children are learning provides another model for their development.

    Brief Instruction Steps

    Content that is provided in clear, short chunks can support students' Working Memory.

    Discussing Emotions

    Teaching students how to label, identify, and manage emotions helps them learn Inhibition & Self-Regulation skills.

    Encourage Student Self-advocacy

    Overtly encouraging all students to seek support and ask questions creates a safe space for risk-taking and skill development.

    Student Choice

    Providing students a voice in their learning is critical for making learning meaningful.

    Wait Time

    Wait time, or think time, of three or more seconds after posing a question increases how many students volunteer and the length and accuracy of their responses.

    Incorporate Students' Cultural Practices

    Learning about students' cultures and connecting them to instructional practices helps all students feel like valued members of the community, which improves Motivation.

    Growth Mindset Feedback

    Providing feedback that focuses on the process of developing skills conveys the importance of effort and motivates students to persist when learning.

    Foster Growth Mindset

    Teachers can help students understand that learning involves effort, mistakes, and reflection by teaching them about their malleable brain and modeling their own learning process.

    Building Trusting Relationships

    Building positive and trusting relationships with learners allows them to feel safe; a sense of belonging; and that their academic, cognitive, and social and emotional needs are supported.

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