Following Directionsfrom The Diary of a First Grade TeacherFollowing directions is an important lifetime skill. And first graders are in the midst of learning how to follow all kinds of different instructions. Bless their hearts!So you and I must always be clear in what we say. Sometimes this will help ... but not always. There's always the ones who misinterpret what we say or they have different viewpoints or perspectives. And they aren't afraid to try it their way! While independent thinking is valued, sometimes it's simply not the time for it. These kiddos are the ones who are not big on listening and following directions.
What Did I Tell You?After school, Ms. Donny – the school nurse – told me what happened with one of my students today …She said she gave Weesie a small paper cup. “Go get some water in the cup and come back. I’ll give you the medicine your mother sent.” When the child returned, Ms. Donny said, “Here’s your pill … Where’s your water?” “I runk it.” “Well, go get some more,” she told her. “But, THIS TIME, leave some in your cup.” When she returned this time, Ms. Donny asked her again, “Where’s your water? Didn’t I tell you to put some in your cup, and come back?” Sweet little Weesie retorted defensively. “I aw weddy put it in my cup. And I aw weddy runk my rank of water.” She let out a long breath and changed her tone of voice. “NOW! What’s next?”
Song about Following DirectionsHow She Sees It!My assistant was leaving the classroom to go check on Clarissa ...We wanted to know what was taking her so long to come back from an errand she ran to the teacher's classroom NEXT DOOR! About that time hot and red-faced Clarissa jogged into the classroom. She was out of breath. I couldn't believe my eyes ... From her ankles down - she was covered in mud. “Well?” I said, lifting a brow. “What took you so long?” "Well,” she echoed, “I come right back ... I just took the LONG shortcut!” Sent to the OfficeWhen one of my students leaves the classroom, I insist on the child following specific instructions ...This afternoon, I asked today's helper, Stevie, to run an errand. “I want you to go to the office … You know where that is.” I was teaching him to follow step-by-step directions. “Give this note to the school secretary ... Her name is Ms. Pamton. Do you remember her?” “Is she the one behind the desk?” “Yes,” I said, “That’s right.” “I’ll find her,” he said, taking the note. “Go only to the office. Don’t go anywhere else. Ms. Pamton is the only person to get this note ... Is that clear?” In two minutes Stevie returned. “I’m telling you now. They ain’t no lady down there - NOWHERE - behind NO desk … So I gave the note to somebody chopping paper.” “Hmmm,” I said, laughing and thinking to myself I should have explained that she may or may not be right behind the desk ... or she may be down the hall ... or absent ... "Okay," I told him. Later, I saw Ms. Pamton and she told me what happened. She said … Stevie marched in and asked, “Where’s that lady behind the desk?” Ms. Pamton –who was across the room – said, “That would be ME.” He glared up at her suspiciously and finally quipped, “Then, why come you ain’t over there behind that desk?”
|
