Correcting errors

Students can make errors or mistakes in action exercises by not responding at all, answering before the signal, answering too late, not doing the action or not saying what they are doing.
Give instruction and then give a clear signal. Repeat until all students are responding on signal. This is very important because exercises become more complicated — and more fun — as students move through the program.

Here’s how to correct each error:

Not responding

• Say, ‘I need to hear everybody’.
• Repeat the part.
• Praise them for good performance.
• Then repeat the exercise with all students until all respond to your signal.

Responding before you signal

• Say, ‘You have to wait for my signal’.
• Say, ‘Let’s try that again’.
• Repeat the part until all respond correctly.

Responding late

• Say, ‘You have to do it as soon as I signal’.
• Say, ‘Let’s try that again’.
• Repeat the part until all respond correctly.

Students don’t say what they are doing (either standing up or sitting down).

• Say, ‘Standing up. Say it with me’.
• Say, ‘Again.’ (Signal and respond with children)
• Say, ‘All by yourselves. Say it’. (Signal and do not respond with students)
• Have students sit down.
• Repeat the part.