Listening, Reading Instructions, & Following Directions

*Updated April 2021

During my first year teaching, I was surprised to discover that one of the things my students struggled most with was simply following directions on assignments. This eventually led me to create this PowerPoint and dedicate a day at the beginning of every semester to talking about the importance of thoroughly following directions (both in school and in other areas of life!). It has been a game-changer in my classes!

This is a PowerPoint presentation about Following Directions. It teaches students about why it is important, offers advice on listening, and provides ways to encourage students to follow directions. Memes about following directions are included throughout the PowerPoint and will entertain the kids! A link to a cartoon video clip about the importance of following directions is also included.

There is also a fun worksheet about following directions with this product. It is made to look like a grammar worksheet on commas and semicolons, but it is actually an activity on how well students follow directions. The directions at the top ask students to read the entire worksheet before beginning (the last question states that students do not actually need to do the worksheet). Almost none of my kids read through it and followed directions, but they thought it was funny-- It's one of the activities that they all remember and still talk about!