The instructional organization patterns used by experienced teachers in coping with classroom environmental demands is described. Observations of teachers in natural settings were conducted using both a self-designed observation schedule and brief narratives to capture the nature of the classroom climate. Results suggest that teachers use organization patterns as strategies for coping with multiple events as well as for structuring content into manageable learning units for students. The organization patterns are discussed in terms of their implications for teacher education. (Author/JD)