Direct Instruction receives a powerful visual and motor cortex amplification with the Brain Engager, Mirror Words.

You say, "Mirror Words!" and quickly lift your hands. Students respond, "Mirror Words!" and quickly lift their hands. Then, your kids repeat your words and mimic your gestures as you present a lesson. Use Mirror Words as you present a lesson chunk during the next part of the Magic Circle.

In this step of the Magic Circle, you decide how you want to present the information to your students. Once your students are ready, increase the funtricity by adding variety: use voices, change your pitch, use whispers.  The more variety, the more fun! When you're ready, increase critical thinking with variations of the Brain Engager by using different mirror variations.

After you've finished presenting your one-minute lesson, place your hands out palms down and say, "Mirrors off". Your students mimic your gesture and repeat, "Mirrors off".

To understand how to break this strategy down into Microsteps for lower elementary, take a look at our Co-Founder Andrea Schindler's  explanation below.