Use lesson plans that link each lesson, and set down specific academic goals for each lesson. Link each lesson to the last and prepare for the next. Begin each lesson with a placement test Move quickly from one activity to the next, giving, for instance, 15 minutes to phonetic practice, where the children practice pronunciation, then moving on to vocabulary-building, so the children build up their word store.
Set academic objectives for each lesson and each student. Use frequent assessment to measure students' progress. Intervene immediately if a student is falling behind. Use diagnostic tests and the expertise of other specialists within the school to identify specific learning problems. Put support services in place to enable the student to catch up with the other students.
Approach each lesson in an orderly sequential way. The Direct Instruction system believes in mediated scaffolding, where learning happens only when the basic structure is in place. Ensure that all the students understand the basic sounds of words that begin with a particular letter, for instance, before moving on to more difficult words and sounds. Give clear instruction on the tasks that the students need to perform.