1.Simon Says: A classic game where students must listen and follow the teacher’s directions only when the phrase starts with “Simon says.”
2.Treasure Hunt: Create a simple treasure hunt that leads students through a series of written or verbal directions to find hidden objects around the classroom.
3.Obstacle Course: Set up a safe obstacle course in the gym or outdoors and have students follow specific directions to navigate through it.
4.Coding Challenges: Introduce basic coding concepts through websites like Code.org or Scratch and encourage students to create simple programs by following precise instructions.
5.Written Instructions: Provide students with written instructions for various tasks, such as building structures with building blocks, creating origami figures, or drawing a picture.
6.Recipe Creation: Have each student create a simple recipe by writing clear step-by-step instructions, then swap recipes and challenge each other to follow the directions accurately.
7.Chain Storytelling: Start a story with one sentence, then have each student contribute one sentence following a specific rule (e.g., “Add an adjective” or “Begin with an adverb”).
8.Barrier Games: Divide students into pairs and separate them with a barrier so they cannot see what the other is doing. One partner describes an image or object, and the other partner must recreate it using only verbal instructions.
9.”Mother, May I?”: A classic game in which students take turns asking permission to advance closer to the teacher while following specific rules about movement.
10.Listening Stations: Create listening stations throughout the room where students listen to recorded instructions on headphones and complete corresponding tasks.
11.Maze Solving: Draw mazes on paper or use online resources, then have students follow directions (e.g., up, down, left, right) to solve them.
12.Sequence Puzzles: Cut sentences from short stories into individual words and challenge students to arrange them in the correct order according to the initial story.
13.Group Mural: Provide simple directions for each student to create a small drawing on a large sheet of paper, ultimately making a cohesive mural as students follow specific instructions.
14.Blindfolded Drawing: One student wears a blindfold while another gives detailed instructions on what to draw.
15.Board Game Afternoon: Select board games that require close attention to directions, such as Pictionary or Battleship, and have students play in small groups.
16.Musical Maps: Create maps of the school campus or local area with specific landmarks labeled. Play music while students follow the map and stop at each designated point when the music stops.
17.Positive Reinforcement: Offer verbal praise or small rewards when students successfully follow directions, encouraging improved focus and attention to detail.
18.Sentence Scramble Race: Divide students into teams and provide them with scrambled sentences. The first team to unscramble each sentence and place it correctly in a paragraph wins.
19.Dance Off: Teach simple dance routines step by step, having students mimic your movements while following directions closely in order to learn the routine correctly.
By incorporating these engaging activities into your middle school curriculum, you can help students develop critical listening skills and teach them the importance of following directions carefully. Not only will this skill serve them well academically, but it will also aid them in navigating everyday life situations as they grow older.
