What am I teaching?
SPaG target
Check that my writing makes sense
Writing link
I can use a simple structure in my writing: instructions
I can write more than one sentence about an idea as an introduction
Part One
SPaG objective 1: I can recognise the correct layout for an instructions text
Activity: Select the Squiggles
Aim: Show pupils 5 different pieces of writing. Each of them is made up of squiggles modelling the format of a text type: two instructions, story, poem (centred lines), letter. Looking just at how the squiggly lines are arranged, can you choose which ones are the instructions? This is then a great opportunity to model how an instruction text is structured. Ask the pupils why they chose the specific squiggle docs.
Resources required: Squiggly text docs for demo and task
SPaG objective 2: I can recognise the correct layout for an instructions text
Activity: Tell Me Why
Aim: It’s time for a head-to-head battle. With who? Two texts. Teacher shows the outline of two texts: just squiggle where the text would be. Now, tell me why one of these texts are an instruction text. Bonus: can you tell me what makes the other text that text type? The aim of the game is to visually recognise text types and their features.
Resources required: Squiggly text docs for demo and task
Part Two
SPaG objective 1: I can sequence sentences to form short narratives
Activity: Question Them; Then Tell Them Not to Worry
Aim: How do we organise an instructions text? Well, we have the format and know what it looks like, but what about the reader? How do we inform them what’s going on? Ah! We need to speak to them straight away so they know what will happen in our text. This is called an introduction. And here’s a cool way to introduce your text. Ask them a question that you know you have the answer to. Eg, Have you ever wanted to make a Victoria Sponge as tasty as the ones on TV? Or, Ever wondered what it would be like to build the fastest paper aeroplane in the world? Then you tell them not to worry and explain what your instruction text will do. Eg, Well you’ve come to the right place at the right time. Just follow the step-by-step instructions and you will be enjoying a delicious slice of cake in no time. Or, Help is at hand. Just follow the simple instructions and you will soon have your lucky hands on a piece of aviation history. The pupils then begin creating their introductions to their instruction text using the ‘Word Box’.
Resources required: Word box and random list of things to make instructions for
SPaG objective 1: I can sequence sentences to form short narratives
Activity: Puzzle Pieces
Aim: Whoops! It looks like the introductions to these instruction texts are in the wrong order. Can you rejig them to make the correct puzzle pieces fit?
Resources required: Puzzle pieces
Part Three
FINAL objectives: I can use a simple structure in my writing: instructions & I can write more than one sentence about an idea as an introduction
Activity: See It, Sort It 2
Aim: Show the pupils the blank rectangle with all of the elements of an instruction text around the outside. What do you think we have to do? Explain that they can either draw arrows to show where everything goes, or cut each element out and stick them in the rectangle: title, introduction (in wrong order), equipment list, bullet-points (instructions), Closing etc
Resources required: See It, Sort It sheet
FINAL objectives: I can use a simple structure in my writing: instructions & I can write more than one sentence about an idea as an introduction
Activity: What's Wrong?
Aim: Show the pupils a WABOLL of an instruction text: closing at the beginning, introduction at the end (in wrong order: not to worry part followed by question part), no bullet points, equipment list not presented clearly. Can you highlight the errors and explain what you need to do fix them?
Resources required: WABOLL example linked to topic or class text
