Structured Classrooms
She has a structured classroom — what does that mean?
The research evidence is clear that students of all ability levels do better in structured classrooms. On our Inclusion Rounds, we look for two types of structures. These two indicators are often confused, but we separate them to emphasize their differences and different purposes.
Schema are structures that tame and organize the flood of information in a classroom.
They include graphic organizers, mnemonic devices, checklists, and mind maps. Initially, teachers model how to use a schema to take notes, clarifying the key vocabulary and using the organizer to visualize relationships.
Eventually, students take more ownership for graphic depiction of key principles and even create their own. By high school they should use their own schema to frame projects and written assignments.
Routines are predictable ways to behave during parts of a lesson. We use routines in all areas of our lives (and as parents) to establish regular ways to doing things. We humans all flourish knowing what to expect.
Teachers create routines for the start of a lesson (often with a warm up or writing prompt). There are other routines for how to access materials and how to move into paired or collaborative learning activities.
During our Inclusion Rounds last week, we visited a 3rd grade math classroom for 10 minutes and were delighted to see both schema and routines. Teams of 3rd graders had drawn graphic depictions of their calculation strategies on large whiteboards. Teachers acknowledged their different methods to solve the same problem. Students understood that each schema represented a different approach.
When their teachers told them it was time to clean up, it was amazing to watch one team member erase the board, one gather markers, and another return the whiteboards to their designated spot. Nobody needed a reminder for the routine.
This co-teaching pair were masters of both schema and routines. Indeed, their classroom was structured and students flourished.
The Joyful InclusionⓇ approach is being used in 41 schools across the country. You can learn more at www.joyfulinclusion.com
