You finish explaining an assignment and ask, “Does everybody understand?” Heads nod. You send students off to work and—within seconds—a hand goes up. “What are we supposed to do?” Then another student asks the same question. Before long, you’re giving the student directions all over again. Sound familiar?
You’re probably tempted to blame students for not listening, but before going there, take a look at how you’re giving student directions. Sometimes we give students too much information at once. We explain the assignment, mention what they’ll do afterward, remind them about yesterday’s work, answer a question, and then expect everyone to remember step one.
Make Student Directions Shorter
Try making your student directions shorter and more sequential. Instead of giving five or six steps at once, give students the first few steps they need to begin successfully. You can provide the remaining steps visually or introduce them when students actually need them.
For example, instead of saying, “Open your book to page 42, read the passage, answer questions one through five, compare your answers with your partner, and then turn everything in,” simplify the student directions. Start with: “Open to page 42. Read the passage. When you’re finished, look at the board for your next step.”
Put Directions Where Students Can See Them
Whenever possible, pair verbal student directions with something students can see. Write the steps on the board, display them on a slide, or provide a short checklist. Now when someone asks, “What are we supposed to do?” you don’t necessarily have to repeat everything.
Visible student directions give students somewhere to look besides you. That’s important because you’re trying to build independence, not become the classroom’s human replay button. Visual cues can help students recall expectations and reduce the need for teachers to repeatedly give the same directions.
Don’t Ask, “Does Everyone Understand?”
Here’s another small change that can improve your student directions immediately: stop relying on “Does everybody understand?” Most students will say yes—or say nothing—even when they’re unsure.
Instead, check whether the student directions actually landed. Ask one student, “What’s the first thing you’re going to do?” Ask another, “What happens after you finish?” You can also have students briefly tell a partner what they’re supposed to do before anyone begins.
Resist the Rescue
This may be the hardest part. When a student asks what to do, don’t automatically repeat all the student directions. First, point the student toward the resource you’ve already provided: “Check the directions on the board. Tell me which step you’re on.”
That simple response changes the student’s role. Instead of waiting for you to repeat the student directions, the student has to locate the information and determine what comes next.
If giving directions and maintaining consistent expectations are becoming daily struggles, you’ll find additional classroom-management strategies inside Teacher RockStar Academy.
Tomorrow, experiment with just one change: make your student directions shorter, visible, and easy to check. You might be surprised how much less talking you have to do—and your voice may even thank you by Friday.
Learn more here: Edutopia for additional ideas on keeping your classroom focused and on track. Remember, strong classroom routines aren’t built overnight—they’re strengthened one consistent day at a time. You’ve got this!
