Play by the Rules: Creative Practice in Direction-Following

I have used this book with great success as an education consultant for about 10 years and am SHOCKED at the prices for used books here! I know I paid less than $20. Is there anyplace else I can find it? Thanks

We use this book for our 3rd and 5th graders in our homeschool. This is a really fun way for them to practice following directions. There are about 35 different types of activities; 50 activities in all. Most activites require no advance preparation by the teacher and they take about 15 minutes to do with the kids. The kids love the results and often keep working on what they've created after the official directions are over (extra decorations or they want to do another one). Even if we weren't homeschooling, I would use this book - in the summer, for instance, as suggested by another reviewer here. Smart Snips (same authors) is another good book (4 stars), however, for kids starting in 3rd grade and not younger. Smart Snips is for independent work following written instructions whereas Play by the Rules is for following oral instructions. Highly recommended. I wish we had more time to use more books by these authors!

I use these oral direction-follwing activites with my 5th grade ESL class. The kids enjoy them and I think they are an excellent way to sharpen listening skills.

I did one of these exercises with my daughter's 3rd grade / 2nd grade split class and they had a ball. They enjoyed it so much, I came back the next week with another, and I will probably do them on a regular basis next year. I don't know who had more fun, the kids or me, knowing they were practicing listening to directions and being creative! Do your kids a favor and get this book! We plan to use it a lot this summer, and have "thinking parties" so they stay sharp for next year.

This book offers 50 lessons on listening and following directions. The directions are scripted and while some of the lessons need worksheets many are done with either three hole or copy paper. Sample answers are included. I highly recommend this book for all teachers 4th grade and above.