Question for the teachers or anyone

[Deleted]

What do you do when several students don't listen to the directions being given about an assignment, or don't read the directions written on the assignment.

I hit my breaking point with my class not listening, then asking the same question I just answered 2 minutes earlier. I need ideas to make this stop.

The other kids already share their disgust about this, but peer pressure isn't working.

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[daisybuchannan]

How old?

[Deleted]

5th, so not old. But old enough to know better.

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[daisybuchannan]

Not sure how much I can help, I teach hs.

Sometimes in the beginning of a course they are simply testing if you stick to your guns. For example, I don't take late homework. They know this and agree to it when they sign my syllabus. I've had students not turn hw in for a week, see their grade drop, and then ask to turn it in late knowing the answer is no. That usually sets them straight, although you will always have students that will try and bend ANY rule you have.

Always be consistent, say what you mean and mean what you say.

[saraandmichael]

if the directions are printed somewhere i would tell them they need to read it.

i'm not sure how i would approach it if i were verbally giving directions.

i taught middle school math, so the assignments for the week were always posted on the board and i would direct them to that if they weren't paying attention.

[EmilieMadison]

Is this a specific few? How are you presenting the instruction? Some kids really need to see it written down. Some need to hear it. Some need to have it demonstrated. Some need to do it. Obviously, you can't write, say, do and show with every lesson, but knowing if this is part of the issue could save you a lot of time and frustration. Some kids truly need to be taught how to learn- show them how to write down what you tell them. Show them where to start the assignment (reading the instructions). Have them cover up the rest of the work with another sheet of blank paper if necessary. 

Another thing: Is there a chance that the ones who are the issue perhaps have a legit reason for not understanding? Cognitive issue? Learning disability? Anyone with a IEP? 

And, if you've covered all of that and it's still an issue (in Feb!!), then have a sit down with them about it and ask for an explanation. Talk to mom and dad. And be clear that there are consequences (getting a zero on an assignment for not doing it or getting a low score because they didnt follow directions). Be consistent. 

[Deleted]

It's basically not reading directions printed on the page or where to turn in papers. They'll ask a question that is answered in the directions, such as "Do I multiply this?" When the directions say to add or subtract. Or "Where do I turn in my math assignment?" When math papers always go in the drawer labeled math, since the beginning of the year and when I have just said it twice 2 min prior. It's just them being lazy and not paying attention.

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[chickenlittle]

Ditto pretty much everything EmilieMadison said. I work with students in special ed, so often they can't follow oral directions and need visuals, simplified language, directions broken into smaller pieces, etc.

If it's not due to learning/cognitive/language issues, have you tried saying, "I've already explained/answered that. You'll have to ask someone else"? A lot of time and energy can be saved on your part by making it the child's responsibility to get the information they need. There's also the "ask 3 before me" rule where kids have to check in with 3 different peers for assistance before approaching you.

[game blouses]

Do you do exit tickets? I've had my middle schoolers write a one sentence summary of their homework assignment, or project that I just assigned, and hand it to me on their way out the door. If it's incorrect, they go back to their seats and rewrite it. If they do it wrong, I bring out their sentence the next day and question why they did it wrong if they knew how to do it.

[Deleted]

I've told them they need to ask someone else because I've explained it several times. I'm just wondering if there is a way to make it clear that when I am explaining an assignment, they need to listen. Disabilities are not a factor in the kids who are doing this, they're just not paying attention.

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[EmilieMadison]

In that case, if it's purely being lazy/not paying attention, then I'd shut it down. Respond to questions with a question: "What does it say in the directions?" or "Where do you always turn it in?" etc. Make it harder for them to ask this type of question (vs a legit question) than to just figure it out. If you keep answering, they'll just keep asking and using you instead of the part of their brain that knows the answer if they just think for a second longer.

[Deleted]

Feb 6, 2013 20:07:42 GMT -5 EmilieMadison said:

In that case, if it's purely being lazy/not paying attention, then I'd shut it down. Respond to questions with a question: "What does it say in the directions?" or "Where do you always turn it in?" etc. Make it harder for them to ask this type of question (vs a legit question) than to just figure it out. If you keep answering, they'll just keep asking and using you instead of the part of their brain that knows the answer if they just think for a second longer.

This is what I do already, but I feel like I'm saying this too much. Maybe it just seemed greater today because of activities going on this week at school.


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[EmilieMadison]

Feb 6, 2013 20:07:10 GMT -5 klekz37 said:

I've told them they need to ask someone else because I've explained it several times. I'm just wondering if there is a way to make it clear that when I am explaining an assignment, they need to listen. Disabilities are not a factor in the kids who are doing this, they're just not paying attention.

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When you're explaining an assignment, say something specific, like "Write this down because this is the assignment."

Do they have assignment notebooks? I used those for my middle schoolers and they were a lifesaver. You write the assignment on the board/wherever and they have to copy it, including specifics, due dates, etc. Then, before they leave, they have to show it to you. You can even have parents sign them daily/weekly/etc for the kids who have the hardest time following instruction- it helps parents see what is due and when, and that their kid can't ever say "But I didnt know what the assignment was!" 

[Deleted]

I teach 5th as well and have the same problem. A few years ago I gave a really hard test where in the directions it said to pretend to work for 5 min, then flip the paper and work on homework. Two out of 18 kids got it! But once everyone turned it in and those two explained, everyone thought it was funny/was annoyed they didn't catch it.

Didn't work forever, but for at least a month or two those kids read directions like it was their job.

[Deleted]

Feb 6, 2013 20:12:41 GMT -5 EmilieMadison said:

Feb 6, 2013 20:07:10 GMT -5 klekz37 said:

I've told them they need to ask someone else because I've explained it several times. I'm just wondering if there is a way to make it clear that when I am explaining an assignment, they need to listen. Disabilities are not a factor in the kids who are doing this, they're just not paying attention.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using proboards

When you're explaining an assignment, say something specific, like "Write this down because this is the assignment."

Do they have assignment notebooks? I used those for my middle schoolers and they were a lifesaver. You write the assignment on the board/wherever and they have to copy it, including specifics, due dates, etc. Then, before they leave, they have to show it to you. You can even have parents sign them daily/weekly/etc for the kids who have the hardest time following instruction- it helps parents see what is due and when, and that their kid can't ever say "But I didnt know what the assignment was!" 

I do this exactly. It's just a few being consistently lazy and not listening. I will prompt and say write this in your notebooks or agendas, all notes they take are from what I write on the board or on the homework board (that looks like a blown up copy of their agendas). I'll start directions with a prompt, such as saying their name to get their attention. I think I'm just overly annoyed with everything else going on.

Thank you for the suggestions.


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[Deleted]

Feb 6, 2013 20:16:48 GMT -5 @thereigninglorelai said:

I teach 5th as well and have the same problem. A few years ago I gave a really hard test where in the directions it said to pretend to work for 5 min, then flip the paper and work on homework. Two out of 18 kids got it! But once everyone turned it in and those two explained, everyone thought it was funny/was annoyed they didn't catch it.

Didn't work forever, but for at least a month or two those kids read directions like it was their job.

Ha! I did this too! The one I gave them said to read all the questions first in the directions. Then the questions say things like run around the room yelling pickle, talk to your neighbor like a pirate, etc. The last question said to write your name at the top of the paper and turn it in. Do nothing else.

It was obvious who didn't follow the directions.

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[sugarbear]

I have given a quiz before similar to the ones mentioned above. To make it less obvious, the directions say something like, "tell me about your weekend" so they are still writing.

In your case, I'd tell them to read the directions outloud, in front of the whole class, and then summarize them in the student's own words. Perhaps making the whole class sit and listen will help?

[joenali]

If they aren't paying attention, could there be a reason why? It's too hard? It's too easy? What about doing some guided practice with the group of repeated offenders? Every day after you give directions call a small group and do some work together and then send them on their way?

[justkeepswimming]

I teach fifth grade also and this kind of thing drives me CRAZY. I always print directions (either on the paper or board) and then I will read them to the whole class. If anyone wants/needs them repeated, I will repeat them one more time. No one is allowed to pick up a pencil until I am finished reading. After that, if they ask me something obvious, my standard response is "where can you find the answer to your question?". Sometimes I have to repeat this many times. This is the routine that has been in place since the beginning of the year, and I have to be really careful to stick to it all the time. If I veer away from it at all, we end up back at square one.

Once or twice a month, I will "hide" sometimes in the directions that will benefit those who read it. For example, on something that they would normally have to do the whole page, I will write something like "if you read this, complete the even problems only" in the middle of the directions. I do not call attention to this when I am reading it to them.

I also have a student who highlights all of the directions because it is a strategy that works for her. You might want to talk to the kids who are having the most trouble individually and work with them to come up with a strategy that they can take ownership of.

Sorry this is so long! Good luck, I know how frustrating this is!

[RoxMonster]

I teach HS but I know how frustrating it is. I usually ALWAYS give directions both verbally and in written format. When they ask a question I just answered, I make them re-read (or read for the first time!) the directions to find the answer. In my case, I know they are being lazy and CAN listen because I've seen them do it on different occasions. They want the easy way out--"I want to daydream while she's talking and then just go back later and ask her the things I need to know/don't understand." Nope. Doesn't work. Sometimes in life they will be forced to figure something out on their own by reading instructions with no one to hold their hand. I know your kids are much younger, but I still think you can have them re-read the directions to find the answer.

I also do what PP does in "hiding" something in the directions that benefits those who read. For instance, just to see how many actually read closely, I buried in the middle of project directions, "When you get to this sentence, stick your tongue out to let me know you are reading and I will give you extra credit." I only had a few in each class catch that! It was only one extra point, but it was an incentive and the other kids were mad at themselves that they didn't bother to read.

[Deleted]

I definitely like the "Easter egg idea" (hiding something in the directions). I will often underline the directions not completed on classwork when grading. This way, when it goes home, the parents can see why their student didn't do well on the assignment.

I definitely know these kids are capable, just lazy. I have had them rank their questions and they can only ask 1, so they need to choose the most important question (although, this is usually geared towards my more insecure students, it works with those taking shortcuts and not reading the directions).

[Deleted]

I teach 6th, and my rule is, I show you once, I tell you once, and that's it. You don't get to ask me two seconds later what I said or what to do. My desks are in 6 groups, and I take a paper or cut-out or whatever around to each group and show them/tell them one group at a time. Takes an extra minute, but cuts down on the questions greatly. They know they can ask a neighbor; since they're in groups, I'm pretty lax about chit chat during times when I'm not actively teaching. So if they ask me, I'll say, "Have you asked a neighbor? Did you read the directions? ALL of the directions?"

It doesn't cut all of the questions. They're ridiculously lazy.

[kaybee85]

I usually also try to give written directions. When they say they don't get it, I tell them that isn't a question and to re-read and ask an actual question. For those who are lazy, they figure it out, for those who have issues and need help I can stand with them while they read directions and tell me exactly where they got lost.

[Deleted]

Also, I make sure I have everyone's attention (I say hocus pocus, they say everybody focus, which gets all eyes on me). I wait silently until noise of all kinds dies down, look around the name and try to make eye contact with each student, then proceed with my directions. One thing at a time. Normal tone of voice. Say direction #1. Have a student or two repeat, or the whole class. Direction #2. Repeat the step. Rinse and repeat until I'm satisfied. It's a 6th grade TN standard to teach following multi-step directions, so I have a variety of tricks lol.

[jenna]

Shit. This sounds just like my stepson. He doesn't always follow directions at home, either. Thinks he knows everything already.

Good luck.

[kaybee85]

Sometimes I also have them turn to their shoulder partner and repeat certain things or explain directions. Usually if someone is lost they have a chance to talk it out.