Pacing Instruction

 
Using Islands to Create Positive Pacing in the Classroom
 
Objectives:
 
  1. TPW (The Professor Will) create a classroom with a high level of student engagement
  2. TPW minimize computer generated student distraction
  3. TPW increase the frequency of higher order thinking
  4. TPW develop a system of planning for class sessions that will lead to excellence in teaching
 The Concept: Creating intentional pacing “islands” in the class session agenda
 
Planning the islands:
  • Institute the 8-12 minute rule. No activity should last more than 12 minutes 
  • Plan an agenda which has four to six islands for each hour of instruction
  • The islands (suggested generic possibilities)
      • Short lecture
      • Pair share to connect content or concept to the life of the student
      • Generate a list of ideas or questions (alone or in pairs)
      • Mini-journaling to reflect on content or concept (with professor generated journal prompts)
      • Class activity unique to the content concept (small group work, etc.)
 
Using the islands
      • Ask for oral contributions from the pair share
      • Collect the mini journals to assess student understanding
      • Use the questions from the list as a spring board for discussion
      • Place class activities inside the hour rather than at the beginning or end.
 
Using the islands to create excellence.
·         Create a written agenda for each island which includes the process for the activity as well as the content.
·         After the class, evaluate and “grade” each island.
·         Make suggestions to yourself on how to improve the island
·         On a regular basis, drop the least successful island for a class session and create a new one.
 
General suggestions on using the islands
·         Successful islands can be repeated regularly. Students enjoy knowing how to function effectively.
·         Islands can be used successfully with large classes as well as smaller ones.
·         Activities which need high levels of student energy can be placed in the first two-thirds of the hour to avoid the “getting ready to go and out of energy” syndrome which can kill any activity in the last third of a class period.
 
 
 
 
Island Agenda
 
Topic for class hour_____________________
 
Introduction--Specific Concept/Content
 
 
 
Island?
 
 
 
 
Specific Concept/Content
 
 
 
 
Island?
 
 
 
 
 
Specific Concept/Content
 
 
 
 
Island?
 
 
 
 
Specific Concept/Content --Closure