Step-by-Step Success: Ways to Support Students in Following Multi-Step Directions
Do you struggle with getting your class to follow multi-step directions? Are you always repeating yourself? As teachers, we’ve all been there. It can be so frustrating!
This blog post will give you strategies for multi-step directions that will help take some of this frustration away. Read on for more.
Why do some students struggle with following multi-step directions?
There are many reasons your students could be struggling with following multi-step directions. Here are a few of the most common:
Lack of executive functioning skills - One of the most important executive functioning skills is working memory. If students don’t have a good working memory, it’s hard to remember all the steps, let alone follow them.
Auditory processing difficulties - If directions are given orally, students with auditory processing difficulties are going to struggle with understanding them and following them.
Attention - Attention difficulties can mean students don’t hear or read the full directions, so they may mis-follow or completely skip steps.
How Can I Help My Students Follow Multi-Step Directions?
The good news is that there are many ways to help students who have difficulty following directions! Here are 10 of them.
Echo
In this simple strategy, just have students repeat back directions to you.
Example:
Teacher says: Step 1 - Open your book to page 32.
Students say: Step 1 - Open your book to page 32.
Continue until all directions are completed.
Use clear and direct language.
When giving directions, be direct, concise, and clear. Don’t use extra words or phrases. Don’t interrupt your directions to talk about anything else.
Order directions with sequencing words or numbers.
When giving directions orally, use the sequencing words that we ask students to use in their writing - first, next, then, last, and so on. When giving written directions, number them. It may seem simple, but numbering directions really help students organize them in their minds, which helps them remember and follow them.
Visual cues
Some students may need visual cues next to written directions or in place of oral directions. For example, if students are to get out crayons, have a picture of crayons out for students to see. This is especially important for your students who may have below-grade reading levels and have difficulties reading directions.
Have students underline, highlight, and circle.
Before completing a paper assignment, go through directions as a class. Have students underline, highlight, or circle key direction words as you go through them.
Reword the directions or have a student reword them.
Sometimes students don’t comprehend the directions the way we have said them. Often, they simply need directions reworded in a different way, with different vocabulary. Another way to do this is to have another student explain the directions in their own words.
Verbal check-ins
While students are working, do a verbal check-in with students who you know will have difficulty with directions. Have the student state aloud which step they are on and which they will do next.
Model
As you give directions, model each step for the class. Some students need to see each step visually.
Checklists
Checklists can be done in different ways. One way is to put a large checklist can on the board. Each student or group initials beside the step as they complete it. You can also do individual checklists on desks just for students who need them.
Slow down.
This is probably the simplest tip of all, but one that we often forget. Sometimes it just necessary to give directions more slowly than we think we need to. Take the time to pause between each step and check that students understand.
With these steps, your students will be following multi-step directions like pros in no time! Do you have more ideas that have worked with your students? I’d love to hear. Let me know at laura@thirdgradeengaged.com.
Laura at 3rd Grade Engaged
