It’s the beginning of a new academic year. Teaching young learners the importance of following directions is incredibly important for student and classroom success. With the right tools and methods, educators can make this learning process fun and interactive. In today’s post, we will delve into an effective strategy for teaching students how to effectively follow instructions using a Following Directions Classroom Poster. This no-prep activity is perfect for elementary teachers looking for a creative and efficient way to emphasize this vital skill.

The Need for Teaching Following Directions

In the elementary classroom, every moment is a learning experience. Teaching students to follow directions effectively not only ensures a smooth flow of classroom activities but also fosters self-discipline and responsibility.

Introducing the Following Directions Classroom Poster

Our visual Following Directions Classroom Poster comprises five simple steps:

1. Notice when the teacher is giving directions.
2. Focus on key words.
3. Repeat key words to yourself.
4. Think of what’s first.
5. Check what you’ve done before moving on.

With each step, students will harness their attention, cognitive processing, and self-review skills, making the process of following directions easy to learn and implement.

Lesson Plan: Harnessing the Poster for Effective Learning

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to understand and apply the five steps on the Following Directions Classroom Poster in their daily activities.

Duration: 20 minutes

Materials: Following Directions Classroom Poster, markers, and notepads.

Activity Breakdown

1. Introduction (5 minutes)
   • Begin with a fun game where students must follow a series of directions. Include some tricky ones and see how many get them right. Discuss the results.
   • Introduce the “Following Directions Classroom Poster” and discuss its significance.
2. Exploration (10 minutes)
   • Divide students into groups. Provide each group with scenarios where they must apply each step from the poster.
   • Ask groups to share their results, focusing on how they applied each step.
3. Conclusion (5 minutes)
   • Reinforce the importance of following directions in both school and life.
   • Encourage students to use the poster as a daily reference tool.

No-Prep Activity Ideas

1. Directional Simon Says: Play a game of Simon Says but integrate multi-step directions to challenge the students. For instance, “Simon says touch your toes then jump twice.”
2. Story Chain: Begin a story with one sentence. Each student must add a sentence, following the direction set by the story’s theme.
3. Scavenger Hunt: Provide students with a list of items to find within the classroom. The catch? They must follow the specific order on the list.

Conclusion

Teaching elementary students the art of following directions can be both fun and beneficial when approached creatively. Using tools like our Following Directions Classroom Poster, educators can reinforce these skills in an engaging manner. So, put on your teaching cap, employ this lesson plan, and watch your students master the art of following directions!

Sample Video

Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!

Related Blog Posts:

Lesson Plan: Following Directions

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