Introduction to Direct Instruction

This is the only textbook on the market that serves as an introduction to the highly effective system of Direct Instruction. Direct Instruction is a system of teaching that focuses on controlling all of the variables that affect the performance of students. Given the emphasis on high academic standards in today's schools, a textbook on one of the most successful programs for teaching academic skills to children is especially timely.

Table of Contents:
Each chapter begins with “Objectives” and “Overview,” and concludes with “Summary,” “Discussion Questions,” and “References.” Preface. Foreword. Contributing Authors. I. THE NEED FOR AND ASPECTS OF DIRECT INSTRUCTION. The Importance of Effective Instruction. The Need for Quality Education. A Litany of Disadvantage. Concern Over Educational Outcomes. Students Who Perform Poorly. The Development of Serious Academic Problems. Preventing Academic Failure. Importance of Instruction. The Lack of Impact of Research on Practice. How Other Professions Connect Research to Practice. How Education Addresses the Research Issue. Research on Effective Instruction. History of Direct Instruction. 2. The Components of Direct Instruction. Main Components of Direct Instruction. Direct Instruction and Effective Teaching. Students for Whom Direct Instruction Is Appropriate. Research on Direct Instruction. II. DIRECT INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS. 3. Language. Importance of Oral Language. Importance of Oral Language Instruction. Overview of Direct Instruction Language Programs. Content Analysis and Format Features. Teaching Techniques. Assessment and Troubleshooting. Extensions and Adaptations. Research on Direct Instruction Language Programs. 4. Reading. Importance of Reading. Importance of Reading Instruction. Critical Components of Reading Programs. Overview of Direct Instruction Reading Programs. Content Analysis and Format Features. Other Direct Instruction Reading Programs. Teaching Techniques. Assessment and Troubleshooting. Extensions and Adaptations. Direct Instruction Reading Research. 5. Writing. Importance of Writing. Importance of Writing Instruction. Six Design Principles of Effective Instruction. Overview of Direct Instruction Writing Programs. Content Analysis and Format Features. Teaching Techniques. Assessment and Troubleshooting. Extensions and Adaptations. Research on Direct Instruction Writing Programs. 6. Spelling. Importance of Spelling. Importance of Spelling Instruction. Spelling Instructional Approaches. Overview of Direct Instruction Spelling Programs. Content Analysis and Format Features. Teaching Techniques. Assessment and Troubleshooting. Extensions and Adaptations. Research on Direct Instruction Spelling Programs. 7. Mathematics. Importance of Mathematics. Importance of Mathematics Instruction. Design Features of Effective Mathematics Programs. Overview of Direct Instruction Mathematics Programs. Content Analysis and Format Features. Teaching Techniques. Assessment and Troubleshooting. Extensions and Adaptations. Research on Direct Instruction Mathematics Programs. 8. Content Areas. Importance of Content Areas. Importance of Content Area Instruction. Principles of Curricular Design. Overview of Direct Instruction Content Area Programs. Content Analysis and Format Features. Another Direct Instruction Content Area Program. Teaching Techniques. Assessment and Troubleshooting. Extensions and Adaptations. Research on Direct Instruction. Content Area Programs. III. ADDITIONAL ISSUES IN DIRECT INSTRUCTION IMPLEMENTATIONS. 9. Applying Direct Instruction Principles to New Content. Overview of Designing Effective Instruction. Planning Units and General Strategies. Lesson Planning and Delivery. Evaluation. Supporting Research. 10. Aspects of School-Wide Implementations. Elements and Learning Environments of Effective Schools. Direct Instruction in an Effective School Framework. Critical Issues and Guidelines for Implementing Direct Instruction Programs. Coaching as a Means of Staff Development. Tutoring as a Means of Increasing Support for Students. Effective Supervision of Preservice Teachers. 11. Evaluation of Direct Instruction Implementations. Assessment, Evaluation, and Validity. Formative Evaluation. Summative Evaluation. Evaluation Designs. Interpreting Results. Statistical Summaries. 12. Managing Classroom Behavior. Why Classroom Management Is Critical. Opportunity to Instruct. Primary Prevention Techniques. Secondary Techniques. Tertiary Techniques. Appendix. Glossary. Name Index. Subject Index.