One of the most important ways the classroom environment can be used to support learning is by communicating learning expectations. Advance Organizers are organizational frameworks presented prior to instruction for introducing students to the big picture of what they will be learning.
An example of an Advance Organizer is the Lesson Essential Question. Posting a Lesson Essential Question and using it to introduce the lesson and key terms helps students focus on what is important to learn. The question provides a framework to which students can connect their new learning. Making connections to what students already know as part of introducing the Lesson Essential Question creates interest and motivation for learning.
Purposefully displaying and using Lesson Essential Questions ensures that students know exactly what they are expected to learn in a lesson.
