A new school year means welcoming a new set of learners. One of the most important parts of the new year is setting expectations. In a Modern Classroom, Unit 0 is an effective way to introduce your classroom structure and procedures!

Unit 0 gives your learners a chance to experience the ins and outs of a Modern Classroom. You can tailor lessons around your specific content area or make them general to the classroom. Examples of general Unit 0 lessons can include:

• Assignments (What types of assignments will learners have in a Modern Classroom?)

• The Physical Classroom (Where to pick up/turn in assignments; Mastery check station)

• The Digital Classroom (What platforms will learners use; How to learn from videos)

• Why we use the Modern Classroom model

Classifying lessons as “must do,” “should do,” or “aspire to do” gives learners the opportunity to gain an understanding of the different types of lessons. Adding in a fun “aspire to do” activity that is accessible to all students is a great motivational strategy. Consider something like a learning management system scavenger hunt at the end of the unit!

How you choose to present Unit 0 to your learners is completely up to you! You may choose to go through the lessons as a whole group, have learners self-pace, or have a mix of both.

In a whole group, you can play your instructional video for learners and pause to take notes. You can take the time to explicitly teach how to take good notes. You can also guide learners on completing practice and taking a mastery check.

By having learners self-pace, they are practicing what they will be doing when they get into content. If you are using self-pacing, include prompts in the videos that get learners moving. You may ask learners to talk to classmates or find certain materials around the room. This is one way to allow learners to practice navigating the classroom meaningfully.

One of the most popular implementation strategies is having a mix of both whole-group and self-paced learning. Scaffolding the model and expectations for learners is going to set them up for success. Completing the first few lessons as a whole group and releasing learners to self-pace afterward, can ensure students have the proper tools to complete the unit.

No matter how you choose to introduce Unit 0, set expectations by following the same process learners will follow when they start content. Include a progress tracker so students can visualize how they are progressing. Include videos, guided notes, practice, and mastery checks to show the progression of assignments in a Modern Classroom. Mirror the process students will be using as much as possible to get students comfortable with the model.

Implementing a Unit 0 is an effective way to introduce learners to your classroom regardless of how you plan to deliver content! This introductory unit is about communicating expectations. By implementing this unit, you can set the stage for a smooth and organized start to the school year. Provide clarity that benefits both students and the classroom environment by implementing a Unit 0!

Kendal Giacomini is a former teacher (elementary and middle school math) with a firm belief that for all learners to have success in the classroom, educators need the proper tools to guide authentic learning. Though no longer a classroom teacher, Kendal continues to have a passion for education and is excited to support educators with the implementation of the Modern Classrooms Project and facilitate engaging professional development.