This exercise consists of six levels and develops various skills such as directionality, sequencing, rapid naming, divided attention, and working memory. Copyright: Edublox (Pty) Ltd.
Level 1
The tutor (or parent) needs the arrow chart for this exercise (scroll down to the bottom of this page to download the arrows chart). The arrows are printed in four colors and point in four directions: up, down, left, and right.
The tutor must fix the arrows chart to the wall so the student can look at it directly. Next, the student must stand upright and call out the colour of each arrow, starting with the top left arrow through to the bottom right arrow. Finally, the tutor must turn the chart 90 degrees before asking the student to call out the colors again.
The student must do this exercise at a relaxed and leisurely pace. Do not let them rush through them. One should aim at a greater speed only when they start getting comfortable with the exercise.
Proceed to Level 2, when the student can call out the colors on the whole chart quickly and fluently, without any hesitations or mistakes.
Level 2
The tutor must fix the arrows chart to the wall so the student can look at it directly. Next, the student must stand upright, with their clenched fists held at their shoulders (or fingers on their shoulders). The student must “read” the arrows one after the other, simultaneously announcing the direction in which each arrow is pointing and pushing out their fists (or fingers if they prefer an open hand) in the direction so announced.
This means that if the student starts “reading” the arrows, they will shoot the left fist towards the left while simultaneously calling out, “Left!”
The student must immediately return their left fist to the shoulder, ready to “read” the next arrow. This means they will reshoot the left fist, saying, “Left!” Again, they must bring the left fist back to the shoulder immediately. Then they must “read” the third arrow. Next, they must shoot the right fist to the right and say, “Right!” The right fist is also brought back to the shoulder immediately, and then the direction of the next arrow is announced. The left fist is pushed out again while the student says, “Left!” To “read” the next arrow, the student must shoot both fists above the head, simultaneously announcing, “Up!” Both fists are brought back to the shoulders, ready to “read” the next arrow, “Down!”
In this way, the student must read through the whole chart from top to bottom. Then, the tutor must turn the chart 90 degrees before asking the student to read it again.
The student must use their fist to indicate the direction in which each arrow is pointing while simultaneously announcing the direction. Left and right are shown with one fist, whereas up and down are shown with both. The tutor must check that the student does everything correctly.
Proceed to Level 3, when the student can read the whole chart quickly and fluently, without hesitation or mistakes.
Level 3
The student must now call out the color of every red and yellow arrow but the direction of every green and blue arrow, simultaneously pushing out their fist(s) when “reading” the green and blue arrows.
Proceed to Level 4, when the student can read the whole chart quickly and fluently, without hesitation or mistakes.
Level 4
Repeat Levels 1 through 3. This time, however, the student must march on the spot while “reading” the arrows. They must call out the color or announce the direction of each arrow, synchronizing it with each step of the left foot.
- First, they must march on the spot while calling out the color of each arrow, synchronizing it with each step of the left foot.
- Once the student can do this quickly and fluently, they must, while marching, read the arrows one after the other, simultaneously announcing the direction in which each arrow is pointing and pushing out their fist(s) in the direction so announced.
- Once the student can do this quickly and fluently, they must, while marching, call out the color of every red and yellow arrow but the direction of every green and blue arrow, simultaneously pushing out their fist(s) when reading the green and blue arrows.
Level 5
Repeat Levels 1 through 3. This time, however, the student must march on the spot while “reading” the arrows. They must call out the color or announce the direction of each arrow, synchronizing it with each step of the right foot.
- First, they must march on the spot while calling out the color of each arrow, synchronizing it with each step of the right foot.
- Once the student can do this quickly and fluently, they must, while marching, read the arrows one after the other, simultaneously announcing the direction in which each arrow is pointing and pushing out their fist(s) in the direction so announced.
- Once the student can do this quickly and fluently, they must, while marching, call out the color of every red and yellow arrow but the direction of every green and blue arrow, simultaneously pushing out their fist(s) when reading the green and blue arrows.
Level 6
Repeat Levels 1 through 3. This time, however, the student must march on the spot while “reading” the arrows. They must call out the color or announce the direction of each arrow, synchronizing it with each step of both feet.
- First, they must march on the spot while calling out the color of each arrow, synchronizing it with each step of both feet.
- Once the student can do this quickly and fluently, they must, while marching, read the arrows one after the other, simultaneously announcing the direction in which each arrow is pointing and pushing out their fist(s) in the direction so announced.
- Once the student can do this quickly and fluently, they must, while marching, call out the color of every red and yellow arrow but the direction of every green and blue arrow, simultaneously pushing out their fist(s) when reading the green and blue arrows.
Click to download!
@ Edublox (Pty) Ltd.
Edublox offers cognitive training and live online tutoring to students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities. Our students are in the United States, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. Book a free consultation to discuss your child’s learning needs.
