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Literacy 7-12

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Literacy 7-12 > Strategies > Predictability: Environment & Structure

Predictability: Environment & Structure

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Overview

Maintaining consistent routines, structures, and supports 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. Consistency and predictability are especially important for students who do not experience such stability outside of school.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch how this seventh grade teacher establishes routines and expectations during the first few days of school. By spending time describing and practicing procedures like passing papers, students learn how to transition efficiently. Going over the rules and expectations also allows students know what is expected of them and how to be successful.

  • Through modeling of routines and posting a daily schedule, teachers can establish clear expectations for students and show that the classroom is a safe, predictable space to learn. When there is consistency in practices and predictability in routines, students experience less anxiety, can practice Self-regulation, and have more time to devote to learning. Some examples of these routines include classroom rules, opening or closing activities, transitioning, working in 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

    Daily Agenda

    Resource on The Learning Accelerator

    Examples

    Example Routines & Procedures

    List of routines and potential ways to address them

    Examples

    Opening and Closing Activities

    Edutopia blog of six easy opening and closing activities to promote consistency

    Examples

    Routines Intervention Guide

    Guide to effectively teach routines

    Examples

    Set Up Rules and Routines

    NEA article on how to establish rules and routines

    Professional Development

    Predictability and Student Trust

    Blog on the connection between classroom predictability and student trust

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

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

    More Teacher Modeling & Support Strategies

    Accessible Vocabulary & Syntax

    Using language that is accessible and appropriately leveled for each student allows all students to feel successful and participate in learning.

    Brief Instruction Steps

    Content that is provided in clear, short chunks can support students' Working Memory and ensure students are directing their Attention to the relevant information.

    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.

    Encourage Student Self-advocacy

    Overtly encouraging all students to seek support, ask questions, and advocate for what they believe in creates a safe space for risk-taking and skill development.

    Evaluating Sources

    Teaching students how to systematically evaluate sources prepares them to navigate in an increasingly complex, digital world.

    Feedback on Writing

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

    Foster Growth Mindset

    When students are aware that learning involves effort, mistakes, reflection, and refinement of strategies, they are more resilient when they struggle.

    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.

    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 and can mitigate Stereotype Threat.

    Model the Assignment or Skill

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

    Read-alouds

    Reading aloud to adolescents models Reading Fluency as texts become more complex and disciplinary in nature and therefore, more difficult to understand.

    Read-alouds: Discussing Emotions

    Using texts to discuss complex emotions and perspectives with students can help them see how they influence behavior and draw their own personal connections.

    Student Choice

    Giving students voice and choice in their learning is critical for making learning meaningful and relevant to them.

    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.

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