Presidents and American Symbols: Supplemental Guide | Preface xiiiPacing
Pacing is the purposeful increase or decrease in the speed of instruction.
Educators can break lessons into manageable chunks depending on
the needs of the class, and then follow each portion of the lesson with
a brief review or discussion. This format of instruction ensures that
students are not inundated with information. Additionally, you may want
to allow students to move around the room for brief periods during
natural transition points. When waiting for students to respond, allow at
least three seconds of uninterrupted wait time to increase correctness of
responses, response rates, and level of thinking (Stahl 1990).
Goals and Expectations
Make sure that students know the purpose and desired outcome of each
activity. Have students articulate their own learning goals for the lesson.
Provide model examples of desired end-products. Use positive verbal
praise, self-regulation charts, and redirection to reinforce appropriate
ways for students to participate and behave.
Directions
Provide reminders about classroom rules and routines whenever
appropriate. You may assign a partner to help clarify directions. When
necessary, model each step of an activity’s instructions. Offering
explicit directions, procedures, and guidelines for completing tasks
can enhance student understanding. For example, large assignments
can be delivered in smaller segments to increase comprehension and
completion (Franzone 2009).
Instruction Format and Grouping
Use multiple instruction formats (e.g., small-group instruction, individual
work, collaborative learning, and hands-on instruction). Be sure to group
students in logical and flexible ways that support learning.
Instructional Strategies
The following evidence-based strategies can assist students with
disabilities in learning content (Scruggs et al. 2010):
- Mnemonic strategies are patterns of letters and sounds related to
ideas that enhance the retention and recall of information. They can
be used as a tool to encode information.