The Components of Direct Instruction

A) Program Design:
1. Content Analysis
2. Clear Communication
3. Instructional Formats
4. Sequencing Skills
5. Track Organization
B) Instructional Organization/Who Benefits?
1. Instructional Grouping
2. Instructional Time
3. Scripted Presentation
4. Progress Monitoring
C) Student-Teacher Interactions
1. Active Student Participation
2. Group Unison Responses
3. Signals
4. Pacing
5. Teaching to Mastery
6. Correction Procedures
7. Motivation
Sequencing Skills
Four step guideline:
1. prerequisite skills taught first,
2. same before different,
3. easy before difficult,
4. confusing info separated in sequence
5. Track Organization tracks rather than units:
sequences of activities that teach a skill across multiple lessons overlapping &
repeating
Instructional Organization of Direct Instruction
1.Instructional Grouping whole class & small groups
zone of proximal learning
2. Instructional Time allocated time; efficient use of time;
active engagement; tasks with high levels of success

3. Scripted Presentation - (with added teacher personality!) ensure access to welldesigned content & provide teachers refined instruction
4. Progress Monitoring adjust instructional acing and/or group placement
Student-Teacher Interactions
Active Student Participation
increased responding = increased learning;
involved /engaged students = less distractions
use knowledge of student skill level to engage students
2. Group Unison Responses
response cards; choral responding; clickers
3. Signals initiate responses, gestures, or words
4. Pacing cover more material; increases productivity;
Direct Instruction Works Best for Students who are:
Low Achieving
Students with Different Learning Approaches
English Language Learners
From Diverse Backgrounds
Different Ages (pre-school thru adulthood)