Consistency

In our classroom management and behavior classes and lessons, we've learned the importance of being consistent with our discipline so the students will have clear boundaries to operate within. I have also noticed that the concept of consistency also applies to teaching strategies. I was re-reading my earlier posts and started thinking about the strategy I tried and failed. Then I realized that part of my cooperative teacher's success is that he uses the same strategies throughout each unit he teaches. He utilizes similar formats for note-taking when watching videos, similar worksheet formats for book work, the same opener every day, similar formats for unit review tests, study guides, and tests that reflect the OAKS science test format. He does throw in a few different strategies within each unit to mix it up a bit, but he is careful to address the major concepts using multiple intelligence theory by having the students work through the same material from different perspectives. His use of consistent formats helps the students focus on the content rather than trying to learn a new strategy. I have come to realize that when I chosoe to use new strategies, that I shouldn't implement too many new ones too close togther. I also need to take advantage of the students' comfort zones when planning my lessons so they are not thrown off by a format that looks different therefore distracting them from the content they need to learn because they are trying to get used to how the content is being delivered. I think it is to the students' benefit to risk being a little boring from time to time in order to preserve the consistency that allows students to be more sucessful in learning content.