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There
are many activities you can do to focus attention on the DIRECTIONS.
Give students a workpage to do but say NOTHING: 1. A Page of work with an
example of what to do
2. A Page of work with obviously wrong directions
3. Directions given in diagrams
4. Verbal directions to draw some diagram
5. Written directions to draw a diagram or map
6. Directions in mixed up order
7. Partial directions given students have to figure out the rest
8. Last of
directions of a set-what came first?
For each excercise have students
write the directions out and explain how they figured out what would be the correct
directions.
Have a game day.
Divide the class into groups and pass out a different
game to each group. Try to get games they may not be familiar with. Do not give
the directions how to play. They are to read the directions and figure
out how the game is played.
Have the students write the directions for:
How to make their favorite sandwich
How to play a game-dodge
ball / hopscotch
How to get from home to school
How to do something they
are good at doing
How to make something
You, as the teacher, must be clear in your mind what you want the students
to do. Think through the lesson step by step. DO the activity before it is presented
to the class. Write down the directions. Reread them the next day. Do you understand
them? Revise. Clarify.
Students need to be taught how to listen to
and how to read directions. Do these lessons frequently to start and continue
to repeat the procedure weekly as a reminder.
Have a signal to indicate
to the students that directions are coming!
Say-Stop! Look at me! Be
ready to listen!
WAIT until all eyes are looking at you and it
is silent in the room. Look at each child's eyes.
Say -Everyone
is now ready to listen carefully.
Say-When I tell you, follow
the direction.
Say-Listen! Give directions in steps.
First, give the directions for getting ready.
Example:
You will
need your pencil and your ruler.
Now, get them out.
Stop and WAIT.
Say:
Stop! Look at me! Be ready for the next direction!
You will
need 2 pieces of paper that are Formatted.
( They should already have been
trained in the way you expect papers to be formatted.
First and Last Name-
be proud of your name!
Date-written out-no abbreviations /helps with spelling
Subject / page
Student number in top right corner)
Now, get the paper
ready.
Stop and WAIT.
Say:
Stop! Look at me! Be ready for the next
direction!
Second, give the directions for the assignment.
Begin the directions with the verb.
Read
Write
Circle
Underline
After all directions for the assignment are given say:
Close
your eyes and silently repeat the 4 directions to yourself. ( or whatever
number there is)
Turn to your partner and each of you whisper the 4 directions
to each other. Now, tell the person behind / in front / on the other side
the 4 directions.
Close your eyes and silently repeat the 4 directions
to yourself.
Now, you call on at least 6-9 students and have them repeat
aloud the 4 directions. Then tell the students:
Write the 4 directions
on your paper.
Now, you call on 4-8 students to read their written directions.
Ask the students:
Is that what you are to do?
Is there any missing information?
Does that say the same thing?
Then give time for students to make corrections.
Silently repeat the 4 directions to yourself.
Now, DO the assignment.
For Written Directions:
Have students individually read and
underline clue words.
Have 3-5 students read the directions aloud.
Discuss
the clue word that should be underlined.
Tell student to turn paper over and
say silently to themselves the 3 directions. ( whatever number)
Now, you call
on at least 6-9 students and have them repeat aloud the 3 directions.
Have
students write the 3 directions on the back of the paper.
Call on 4-8 students
to read their written directions.
Ask the students:
Is that what you
are to do?
Is there any missing information?
Does that say the same thing?
Then give time for students to make corrections.
Silently repeat the 3
directions to yourself.
Now, DO the assignment. After
Directions are given DO NOT REPEAT!!
Sorry, I only say directions ONCE. If
students request Directions again..... Ask the class:
How many
know what you are to do? Raise your hand.
Ask the student requesting
a repeat of the directions:
All those students know. Why don't you know?
Then say:
Maybe someone will be nice and whisper the directions to
you.
At first, there will be many repeat request, especially, if
you have repeated directions often. It's a bad habit for you and for the students
but with a little effort you will see a great improvement.
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