Following Directions Worksheet for Elementary Students - TeacherVision - Free Printable

This worksheet titled "Ready, Set, Follow Directions" is designed to test a student’s ability to follow instructions carefully and quickly. Let's walk through the solution step by step.

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🔍 Important Note:

The directions say:
> "You have exactly three minutes, so work quickly."

But also:
> "Don't do any items after number two."

That last instruction — #20 — is critical.

Let’s analyze:

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✔ Step-by-step Analysis:

1. Write your first name in the upper left-hand corner of this paper.
→ Do this.

2. Put today’s date in the upper right-hand corner of this paper.
→ Do this.

3. Write your last name in the lower left-hand corner of this paper.
→ This is after #2. But wait — instruction #20 says:

> "Don’t do any items after number two."

So, you should NOT do item #3 or any subsequent items.

Even though you may be tempted to continue (especially since the list seems long), the final instruction overrides everything else.

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🚫 What happens next?

- After completing #1 and #2, you must stop.
- You must not write your last name (#3), count to twenty (#4), stand up (#5), etc.
- The trick here is that instruction #20 is a directive to ignore all other instructions beyond #2.

This is a classic critical thinking or attention-to-detail exercise.

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✔ Correct Solution:

Only complete the following two steps:

1. Write your first name in the upper left-hand corner.
2. Write the date in the upper right-hand corner.

Then STOP.

Do not perform any of the remaining tasks (including writing your last name, counting, standing, clapping, etc.).

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💡 Why is this important?

This task teaches students:
- To read all directions before acting.
- To recognize overriding instructions (like #20).
- To avoid assumptions (e.g., “I should keep going”).
- That following directions precisely matters more than doing what seems logical.

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✘ Common Mistake:

Many students will start doing the physical actions (clapping, winking, touching toes) because they don’t notice instruction #20 until later — but by then, it's too late!

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✔ Final Answer:

✔ Complete only:
- First name → upper left
- Date → upper right

🛑 Stop after #2. Ignore all other instructions, including #3 onward.

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This worksheet is cleverly designed to test compliance with directions, especially when one instruction contradicts the apparent flow of the task. The key is noticing #20 early and applying it correctly.