Direct Instruction & The Effective Lesson

Question 1

Direct instruction is an effective method for teaching procedural skills, a body of knowledge, or specific skills. (T/F)

Answer 1

True! It is particularly useful when teaching mathematical concepts, procedures, and skills; grammar and sight vocabulary; social studies facts and concepts; foreign-language vocabulary and grammar; and science knowledge and procedures.

Question 2

There are 7 steps in a direct instruction lesson. What are they (in order)?

Answer 2

State learning objectives, orient students to the lesson

Review prerequisites/prior knowledge

Present new material

Conduct learning probes, assess comprehension

Provide independent practice

Assess performance and provide feedback

Provide distributed practice and review the lesson

Question 3

When providing independent practice for students, what are the best ways to facilitate effective time use? (6 ways)

Answer 3

1. Do not assign independent practice until you are sure students can do it.
2. Keep independent practice assignments short.
3. Give clear instructions.
4. Get students started, and then avoid interruptions.
5. Monitor independent work.
6. Collect independent work and include it in student grades.

Question 4

When conducting learning probes (asking questions), what are some important elements to remember?

Answer 4

• Check for Understanding
• Make sure learners are asking questions as well as the teacher
• Wait time – the 3 second rule
• Calling Order: distribute questions to all levels
• All-Pupil Responses: choral response

Question 5

According to our notes, what are the three main reasons learners are not following procedures?

Answer 5

1. The teacher has not thought out what happens in the classroom.
2. The students have not been taught how to follow procedures.
3. The teacher spends no time managing the classroom with procedures.

Question 6

Define procedure

Answer 6

What the teacher wants done in order to have the class run smoothly

Question 7

Define routine

Answer 7

What the learners do automatically

Question 8

Procedures help answer a number of questions and avoid awkward scenarios. What are some helpful procedures to have in place?

Answer 8

• What to do when the bell rings
• What to do when the pencil breaks
• What to do when you hear an emergency alert signal What to do when you finish your work early
• What to do when you have a question
• What to do when you need to go to the restroom
• How to enter the classroom
• What to do when they enter the classroom Where to find the assignment
• What to do when you want their attention How a paper is to be done
• Where you want the paper placed
• What to do if they want to sharpen a pencil
• Where to find assignments if they have been absent What to do upon dismissal of class

And so many more!

Question 9

In the first few days of school, one should teach only procedures necessary for the smooth opening of class. (T/F)

Answer 9

True, otherwise it is too much information at one time for some learners.

Question 10

You want to teach your learners a new procedure. What is the best way to do this? (3 main steps)

Answer 10

1. Teach: state, explain, model, and demonstrate the procedure.
2. Rehearse: rehearse and practice the procedure under your supervision.
3. Reinforce: reteach, rehearse, practice, and reinforce the classroom procedure until it becomes a student habit or routine.

Question 11

When reinforcing a procedure, one should…

Answer 11

1. Determine whether students have learned the procedure or whether they need further explanation, demonstration, or practice.
2. Reteach the correct procedure if rehearsal is unacceptable and give corrective feedback.
3. Acknowledge the students when the rehearsal is acceptable.