Explicit Instruction
Explicit instruction is a structured teaching method that breaks down complex skills into clear, direct steps with modeling, guided practice, and immediate feedback.
Why explicit instruction works
Explicit instruction reduces cognitive load by presenting information systematically, allowing focus on learning rather than figuring out expectations.
Rosenshine's principles of instruction demonstrate that explicit teaching with high success rates produces better learning outcomes than discovery-based approaches.
You're not alone
If your teen understands concepts when explained clearly but struggles with "figure it out yourself" assignments, they benefit from explicit instruction. Research shows 95 percent of students with ADHD or learning disabilities need explicit instruction for complex skills. Many bright students need direct teaching for skills others seem to absorb naturally. This isn't about intelligence but about learning style and brain wiring.
What it looks like day to day
Student
Your teen successfully writes essays after being shown exact paragraph structure rather than told to "just write."
Parent
You break down "clean your room" into specific steps: clothes in hamper, books on shelf, trash in bin.
Tiny steps to try
- 1
Task modeling
Show exactly how to complete tasks while narrating your thinking process out loud.
- 2
Step lists
Create written step-by-step instructions for complex tasks like essay writing or project planning.
- 3
Think-alouds
Verbalize your problem-solving process. "First I'll identify what's being asked, then..."
- 4
Success criteria
Define what "done well" looks like before starting. Provide examples and non-examples.
- 5
Gradual release
Start with full support, gradually reduce help as skills develop. "I do, we do, you do."
Why explicit instruction helps struggling learners
Explicit instruction removes guesswork by showing exactly what to do, how to do it, and what success looks like.
Key components of explicit instruction:
• Clear learning objectives stated upfront
• Step-by-step skill demonstration
• Guided practice with support
• Independent practice with feedback
• Regular progress checks
• Systematic skill building
This approach particularly benefits students with learning differences or executive function challenges.
References
Rosenshine, B. (2012). Principles of instruction: Research-based strategies that all teachers should know. American Educator, 36(1), 12-19.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Doesn't explicit instruction prevent independent thinking?
No, it builds foundation skills that enable higher-level thinking. You can't analyze literature without first learning to read. Explicit instruction provides tools and strategies students internalize, then apply independently. Once basic skills are automatic, creative and critical thinking flourish. Structure enables, not limits, independence.
How can I use explicit instruction without doing homework for them?
Model with similar problems, not their actual homework. Show the process using parallel examples, then watch them apply it. Provide templates and frameworks they fill in independently. Think scaffolding, not solving. The goal is teaching transferable strategies, not completing specific assignments.
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