Method of ordering and giving instructions

This method can be used in case of both simple and complicated exercises. Imperative should be used. The advantage of this method is that idle time is significantly reduced and students’ understanding can be checked immediately.

Making students practice while ordering them and using imperative, T/2nd person singular

• Ordering students to stand in starting position. For example: “jump into straddle, swing your arms high up into the air.” “This is your starting position.”
• Explaining the task rhythm by rhythm while listing the name of movements/motions, their direction and extension as well as the finishing position.
• The serial number of a rhythm is mentioned with the specific phase of the exercise. For example, “Circle with your left arm forward! 1! Bend your torso forward with 90 degrees and put your bended arms onto your nape! 2! Bend your torso toward your left leg and touch your ankle! 3! Stretch your torso and swing your arms into the starting position! 4!
• If the exercise can be performed with another limb it should be emphasized. “do the exercise also in the other direction! 5,6,7,8!
• Ordering to start the exercise: “do the exercise continuously, start”.

When giving orders communication is impersonal:

• “Jump into straddle!” Swing the arms high up into the air! This is the starting position.”
• Ordering the rhythm/tempo and the name of the movement is specified as well as its direction and extension.
• The serial number of a rhythm indicates that the exercise should be performed.

For example, circle with your left arm forward! 1! Bend your torso forward with 90 degrees and put your bended arms onto your nape! 2! Bend your torso toward your left leg and touch your ankle! 3! Stretch your torso and swing your arms into the starting position! 4!

• If the exercise is ordered to perform it clockwise children should be ordered the following: “Do the exercise also in the other direction! 5, 6, 7, 8!” “Go on doing the exercise!”

Rules of the method when ordering:

• Opt for a posture for performing the exercise and use short words for ordering what students should do!
• Raise your students’ attention!
• Order them to stand in starting position! (Correct improper movements!).
• Order them to perform the exercises rhythm by rhythm and use personalized short instructions!
• Help students’ understanding by showing or imitating exercises! Use “mirror” illustration!
• Check if your students have executed exercises properly and exactly and correct their movements if necessary!
• Order your students to perform exercises continuously!
• Dictate the tempo and use appropriate words to order what students should do!
• Start counting! You can also go on clapping etc.
• Use a posture that makes your students understand the phases of exercises!
• Watch the whole class and do the illustrations so that all students could see you!
• Be strong-minded and try to avoid making students repeat movements!
• Correct both the group’s or individuals’ inappropriate movements or motions!
• When correcting do not stop!
• Motivate, stimulate students and praise them so that they will have positive experience!
• Give short instructions and refer to the most important effects of exercises!
• After the enough number of repetitions stop students and count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 “now finish it!”
• After the last exercises evaluate students’ performance!

Examples of this method are listed in our tables.