Direct Instruction is a form of lesson design that carefully, explicitly, and systematically takes a child through learning a specific set of skills or knowledge.  It is close the the traditional model of education in that all learning is designed by the teacher for the students and every lesson is led by the teacher.  It is different than traditional instruction in that students are engaged through "all students participating" throughout the lesson.  Here are some reading and a video resource.  Choose one to learn about Direct Instruction:

Explicit Direct Instruction by Dataworks Educational Research (all rights reserved).
How is engagement established in this recommended format for teaching lessons?

Dynamite Lesson Plan by Damien Riley.  How is engagement practiced in this example?

Teaching Matters Explicit Instruction (5 min video) from the Pennsylvannia Department of Education

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9leUP-yrW8

What systems of engagement do you see in the video.  How are students encouraged and supported so that they remain "engaged."

If you look back to our list of engagement elements from week one, which of these elements play the important roles in engaging students during direct instruction?  Are there elements that would be counter to the direct instruction model?  Why?  Use the comments feature to share your thinking and comment on the thinking of others.