Following directions quickly- WBT

Have you ever wondered how to make your students follow the rules in your classroom?  I know I have.  Sometimes I go over rules with my students and I feel like I am staring at a blank wall, like they have no idea what I am saying.  I feel after all the time I spend teaching the rules that it is still hard for my students to completely understand them and follow them.  I am left frustrated and thinking, what do I do next to get the students to follow the rules?  

Well, Whole Brain Teaching is helpful because it helps students understand what is expected from them.  I watched this video with Mr. Biffle explaining how to get students to engage and involved in  the first rule. (Follow directions quickly.)

He discussed that any normal routine for the students (lining up, passing out papers, etc.) that seems to take the students forever to do, it is time to STOP and talk about rule number one with them.  He mentions how you tell the students what you want them to do and then you give them a time limit to accomplish the task.  If they succeed at the task you reward them on the scoreboard.  

He says you will see them scurrying around to accomplish the task, therefore they are following the directions quickly.  They are doing exactly what we wanted them to do!

So again, select an activity that you engage in everyday.  Give the students a time limit so they have a goal.  Tell the students what you want them to do.  Then start counting.  If they complete the task before time is up, reward them on the scoreboard.

I love how this lets the students know exactly what is expected and that they have a goal to accomplish.  I think the time limit helps them accomplish the task quickly. therefore teaching them to follow directions quickly.  I am sure by following directions quickly, they are making their dear teacher happy too.