Finger Commanding / "Pointers Up"

It’s easy to forget that elementary school kids (as well as middle schoolers and sometimes, high schoolers) often struggle to complete tasks that seem extremely basic to a college grad. While you’re asking them to read aloud, take down a note, or circle something on their paper many are just as likely to be spacing out and missing the direction given as following along. Additional structure is desirable.

1) Firstly, keep it simple. Elementary and middle school students are new to taking notes so the whole activity is a bit overwhelming. Write down exactly what you want students to write and keep it simple, getting rid of extra terminology or confusing marks that could make their novice notes more of a messy jumble than a clarifying tool.

2) Secondly, before you direct them to read a paragraph, or take a note or circle a diagram, say “pointers up!” and point your finger to the sky. (WAIT until everyone joins in by holding their finger up. If several students are slow in following along, with a smile on your face say, “Hmmm, let’s practice that again. Pointers down. [students all drop pointers] POINTERS UP! [much improved results] Please POINT to the beginning of the second paragraph where it says the words ‘When Jack went home…’ Draw a star right there because it relates to our key point today… etc.”

By asking students to finger-point, the teacher is able to hold students accountable for following along as the class moves through the lesson objectives, listed key points, a set of directions, a class reading, etc.