Direct Instruction
Knowledge-Building for Teachers Series
I have a special place in my heart for Direct Instruction. The first program I used was Reading Mastery Signature Edition, and the success I was able to achieve with my struggling readers was phenomenal. I am in awe at the instructional principles that make DI so effective. I have been able to apply those principles in all areas of my instruction, and I am a better teacher because of what DI has taught me. The resources below will not only help you learn more about DI but also help you get started learning how to use these principles in your own instruction.
Podcasts
on the go
Project Follow Through: Direct Instruction’s overlooked success with Marcy Stein (Ep 39) with Anna Stokke on Chalk and Talk
This is an excellent interview with Marcy Stein about “her firsthand experience with Direct Instruction (DI) and Project Follow Through”.
S4E17: Kris Boulton on Atomization, DI Principles, and Unstoppable Learning with Zach Groshell on Progressively Incorrect - Podcast
This is a great interview on Kris Boulton’s work on “translating principles of Direct Instruction (DI) into actionable steps for all teachers.”
The Direct Instruction Podcast with Zach Groshell
Groshell takes you on a journey through all things DI with amazing educators, researchers, and original implementers of Direct Instruction. He shares the history of DI and Project Follow Through and delves into the importance of DI principles for effective instruction.
Articles
quick read
10 Rules for Designing Effective Learning by Carl Hendrick, The Learning Dispatch
This article is the perfect first start for an accessible interpretation of Direct Instruction principles. Hendrick has put these principles in teacher-friendly language and are ready to apply to classroom instruction. See a beautiful example of this from Jake Cowling in the next link below.
Faultless Vocabulary Instruction: Guaranteeing Understanding with Structural Precision by Jake Cowling
Cowling does a brilliant job of applying Hendricks 10 Rules for Designing Effective Learning to vocabulary instruction. This is a beautiful example of how DI principles can be translated into practice.
Unstoppable Learning by Kris Boulton
With a focus on math, Boulton has undertaken the task of “atomization” following DI principles. My favorite posts are his “How to Teach. . .” series How to Teach Element 4 of 4: Facts that I believe can be applied to most content areas.
Online Course
mini course
Teaching That Works: Direct Instruction and the Science of Learning - FREE WEBINAR by Carl Hendrick
In this webinar, Hendrick explains the alignment of the Science of Learning and Direct Instruction and much more.
Engelmann’s Theory of Instruction from Athabasca University
This is an online module that includes Seigfreid Engelmann’s biography, the theory of Direct Instruction, a synopsis of Project Follow Through, and more. If you want a quick history and overview of DI, this is a great module to start with.
Curricula
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: Revised and Updated Second Edition by Siegfried Engelmann, Phyllis Haddox, and Elaine Bruner
This book should be in every parents’ library. This highly accessible book for parents and teachers is a must-have resource for teaching your child to read or providing interventions for struggling readers.
Reading Mastery Signature Edition
I have a special place in my heart for Reading Mastery. It was my first introduction to DI and the success I was able to achieve was phenomenal. You can see a video of a lesson I did here: Reading Mastery Grade 2.
Connecting Math Concepts: Comprehensive Edition
Teaching CMC is how I really learned DI principles: the breaking down of content into its smallest and foundational parts, highly interactive call and response, instruction to mastery, scripted dialogue, strand sequencing, and on and on.
Information about all Direct Instruction programs can be found at this link.
Instructional Text
nerd it up!
Direct Instruction Mathematics by Marcy Stein, Diane Kinder, Jerry Silbert, Douglas Carnine, Kristen Rolf
This fantastic resource provides “systematic procedures for addressing both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency” for specific math topics ranging from counting to pre-algebra.
Theory of Instruction: Principles and Applications, by Siegfried Engelmann and Douglas Carnine
I am still working my way through this text. If you want to go straight to the heart of DI, this is the book to study. It’s beautiful, brilliant, and dense. This is not a light-hearted read, but it is highly rewarding and well worth the effort.
Website
all things DI
National Institute for Direct Instruction
All things Direct Instruction can be found at the NIFDI website, including curricula, in-person and online trainings, placement tests, publications, coaching, and so much more. If you are able, I highly recommend taking their online trainings. Better yet, attend the upcoming National DI Conference in Eugene, Oregon July 27-31, 2026 featuring Carl Hendrick as their keynote speaker.
Thanks so much for your post Laura!
I’ve already Restacked it earlier today - and I believe this is a GREAT Summary of the strengths of these materials!
I’ve used them myself with similar success - especially with learners who struggle?!
I’m thrilled to see Carl Hendrick has been invited to keynote in Oregon next year! It’s exciting that there is more support and respect for Engelmann’s work of late!
My own copy, second-hand from a dear colleague, has a RED cover - not sure how it differs from yours…
THAT “Red book” has taught me SO MUCH - about how to design learning materials that are more effective than most others sold commercially! I am in awe of Engelmann’s approach and persistence in getting these into schools.
I believe that MANY MANY students have benefited from his work & that of his colleagues! Thanks again for your wonderful post! 👍👍best always Gail 😊