Pacing is an important aspect of any lesson.
Teaching is a complex activity with many variables; to develop a lesson, a teacher must consider learning standards, materials and time needed, and the needs, strengths and weaknesses and learning styles of his students. While planning and while teaching, an instructor must also consider the pacing of each lesson.
Definition
Lesson pacing, also sometimes called instructional pacing, occurs when a teacher deliberately slows or hastens the speed at which he's teaching. Lesson pacing can occur as part of a planned strategy to teach certain material or students in the best way, or as a response to how well students are receiving instruction -- the most effective teachers consider pacing in the moment as well as while planning each lesson.
Establishing Routines
Establishing a classroom routine is a critical aspect of lesson pacing. It's also time-consuming; it may take weeks before a new group of students is accustomed to a teacher's classroom routine. For the first few weeks of school, avoid deviating from the routine that you're trying to establish.
Routines help teachers pace instruction by providing a framework for classroom behavior and expectations that students understand. If you always begin class with a five-minute activity, students will understand that they should begin working as soon as they come in. You won't have to slow instruction or learning to field numerous questions from students unsure of what they should be doing.
Planning a Pace
When devising a lesson, a teacher must set aside a certain amount of time in which he reasonably expects students to understand the material; this entails pacing each lesson before it's taught. In general, quick pacing is desirable for lessons that fall within established classroom routine or cover material that's familiar to students; in these cases, a slow pace may cause students to become bored and distracted. Slow pacing should be used for lessons that present new material; this allows the teacher to frequently check for understanding. In addition, a successful teacher will consider his students' intellectual abilities when planning the pace of a lesson.
Modulating Pace
Even with the best planning, you may have to modulate your pace in response to what's going on in your classroom. Asking questions and checking for understanding is important, especially when you're covering new material. If students are learning new material easily and speedily, pick up the pace. Students having trouble may need you to slow down, even if the lesson was initially intended to be a review.
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