A game that can be played is putting jumbled steps in order. This makes the child think about what a sequenced activity is. For instance, taking a drink of water is a simple sequencing activity that can be broken down into steps. Step one is getting a glass. Step two is turning on the faucet. Step three is filling the glass with water. Step four is turning off the faucet. Step five is placing the glass to your mouth and drinking. Step six is placing the glass in the sink to wash later. Write down each step on index cards, without the step numbers, such as "Place glass to mouth and drink." Shuffle the cards and have the children put them in order. Instruct the children that something as simple as getting a drink of water can be broken down into sequencing steps.
Students can develop and write simple "how to" instructions for each other to follow. For example, "How to draw a happy face" or "How to fold a paper airplane" can be written about. The sequence of the instructions should be no more than six or seven steps, otherwise the activity will be too confusing. After the instructions are written, have the students exchange papers. Students have to follow the instructions presented to them by another student. Deficiencies will become apparent, such as how big to draw a circle, if that is an instruction. After the instructions are completed, a teacher should point out how to write sequencing steps accurately to overcome the deficiencies. Part of the learning should be to eliminate subjective words, such as "big" or "little." Rather, use objective terminology such as "Draw a circle about 3 inches in diameter."
Reading comprehension is part of learning sequential ordering. Harcourt School Publishers recommends the child read a short story, and take a little quiz afterward. By doing so, a child remembers what step happened before the following step. To involve children in the activity, they can write their own short stories, such as "Helping Mom Rake the Yard." Children can read each others' stories and write down the steps that happened in sequential order.
Educators at the University of Alabama recommend students read a book, and develop their own book listing the steps in the story. The student book consists of pages attached together. In each page, the student should write down the step that happened first in the story, the second step, the third step and so on. By having a student both read and write the sequenced steps, reading and writing comprehension is re-enforced.