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As a pre-service teacher, I find myslef struggling to control the pace of my lessons. Some tasks I feel like the students understand the concepts really well and get bored so I tend to pick up the pace. But towards the end of the class, I find myself struggling to find more things to do during the class or the kids seem somewhat flustered with all the information they have gathered. Does any veteran teachers have and tips and tricks to help new teachers adjust to the correct speed/pace that their students do best at? 

Hi Sarah, 

As a pre-service teacher myself, I can totally relate to feeling this way! I think it's great that you find ways to adapt during your teaching. For me, knowing my students well and planning my lessons down to the minute is what helps me to keep my pacing in check. I find that I often have to resist the urge to rush through lessons. I make sure my lessons include collaborative learning and hands-on activities. In including these activities, I know that I can give my students ample time to share ideas, explore, question, and enjoy these rich learning experiences. I sometimes feel like the lesson is going so slowly, but in reality the lesson is moving along at an appropriate pace. As teachers we are always so hard on ourselves and hyper-aware of everything we do! Now, I always take my time when teaching because my students need that time to enage in higher-level thinking on even the simpliest concept.  

Best wishes!

Kasey