Introduction

For students in special education, following directions is an essential skill that can greatly impact their academic success and personal growth. Teachers give directions every day, and it’s crucial for students to understand and follow these directions to complete tasks effectively. This blog post will discuss the importance of teaching students to follow directions and provide a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators support their students.

No-Prep Activity

This no-prep activity is called “Keyword Detective” and requires no additional materials or preparation from the educator. The objective of this activity is to help students focus on the key words in the directions, making it easier for them to remember and follow the steps.

1. Begin by giving the entire class a simple direction, such as “Please take out a pencil and a sheet of paper.”
2. Ask the students to identify the key words in the direction. In this case, the key words would be “pencil” and “paper.”
3. Have the students repeat the key words to themselves one or two times.
4. Encourage the students to get started on the first step, focusing on one step at a time.
5. As students complete each step, remind them to think, “Am I done with this whole step?” before moving on to the next one.

By practicing this activity regularly, students will become more adept at following directions and improve their focus and concentration.

Discussion Questions

Use these discussion questions to stimulate further conversation and reflection on the importance of following directions in the classroom:

1. Why is it essential to listen to the teacher when they give directions to the whole class?
2. What challenges do you face when trying to follow directions, and how can focusing on key words help overcome these challenges?
3. How does following directions contribute to a positive learning environment for everyone in the classroom?
4. What strategies can you use to ensure that you’re paying attention when the teacher is giving directions?
5. How does successfully following directions make you feel, and how do you think it impacts your teacher’s perception of you?

Related Skills

Teaching students to follow directions is just one aspect of promoting a positive learning environment in special education. Here are some other related skills that educators can focus on to further support their students:

• Active listening: Encourage students to practice active listening by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and asking questions when appropriate.
• Self-regulation: Help students develop self-regulation skills by teaching them to recognize their emotions and use coping strategies to manage their feelings.
• Time management: Assist students in setting priorities and allocating time effectively to complete tasks and assignments.
• Organization: Teach students how to keep their workspace and materials organized to minimize distractions and improve focus.
• Cooperation: Foster a sense of teamwork and cooperation in the classroom by engaging students in group activities and collaborative learning experiences.

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of the importance of teaching students to follow directions and some strategies to support them, take the next step in your professional development by accessing free sample materials for this skill and others. To get started, visit Everyday Speech Sample Materials and sign up for free resources that can help you create a positive and inclusive learning environment for all your students.