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Following Written Instructions

Tags

Study Skills & Tools K-8 Strategy

Skills

Self-regulation Organization Working Memory Attention

Following Written Instructions

If your student often misses steps in written instructions

Teach It!

  1. Objective: Students will learn an organized approach to help them follow written instructions more effectively.
  2. Instruction and Practice: Guide students through their student checklist (on the next slide) and provide opportunities for practice with assignment instructions so they can gain independence.

*students* Checklist:following Written Instructions

  1. Identify the Purpose: First, step back and ask why you are doing the activity. If you are not sure, ask an adult to clarify. Understanding the general purpose will help you know if you can skip or modify steps as you go.
  2. Read the Full Instructions First: Just read through and don't try to follow them yet. Highlight or underline the most important tasks so you don't miss them later.
  3. Get Materials Before You Begin: This will help you be more efficient and keep you in the flow once you start.
  4. Estimate How Much Time You Need: Does the assignment need to be done in a single sitting or over days? Get an adult's advice if you aren't sure or a friend who already finished.
  5. Mark Off as You Go: After you finish each step, lightly cross it out or check it off. This, again, will help you to not miss steps.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Knowing how to read and follow instructions effectively is an important life skill. It requires a specific organization of thought and focus on detail and memory that is somewhat different from reading regular text.