Following two-step directions helps kindergarten students listen, remember, and do tasks in the correct order. This cheat sheet gives simple patterns like first, then so students can follow classroom directions with confidence. It is useful for routines, centers, lining up, cleaning up, and completing work.
The most important idea is to do step 1 before step 2. Students should listen for action words such as draw, circle, touch, and put. They should also notice position words such as on, under, beside, and in.
A good direction pattern is First do the first action, then do the next action.
Key Facts
- A two-step direction has two actions, such as Pick up your pencil, then write your name.
- The word first tells what to do before anything else.
- The word then tells what to do after the first step is finished.
- A good listening pattern is Eyes look, ears listen, body still, brain remembers.
- Action words tell what to do, such as clap, draw, color, touch, stand, sit, put, and point.
- Position words tell where something goes, such as in, on, under, beside, above, and next to.
- If you forget a direction, ask politely, Please say that again.
- Check your work by saying, I did step 1 and I did step 2.
Vocabulary
- Direction
- A direction is a sentence that tells someone what to do.
- Two-step direction
- A two-step direction tells two actions to do in order.
- First
- First means the action that must happen before the other action.
- Then
- Then means the action that happens after the first action.
- Action word
- An action word tells the movement or task to do, such as draw, touch, or color.
- Position word
- A position word tells where something is or where it should go.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Doing the second step first is wrong because two-step directions must happen in order.
- Skipping one step is wrong because the direction is not complete until both actions are done.
- Listening only to the first word is wrong because the action word and position word may come later in the sentence.
- Moving before the whole direction is finished is wrong because you may miss the second step.
- Guessing instead of asking for help is wrong because a polite question can help you do the direction correctly.
Practice Questions
- 1 Draw 2 circles, then color 1 circle blue.
- 2 Clap 3 times, then touch your head 1 time.
- 3 Put a pencil on your paper, then point to your name.
- 4 Why is it important to listen to both steps before you start moving?