1. The instruction book
Sue Palmer

2. Instruction text in time order (sequential/chronological)
tells how to do or make something
in time order (sequential/chronological)

3. instructions non-fiction book DIY book recipe
These texts are
often instructions…
non-fiction book
DIY book
recipe
sewing or knitting pattern
instructions
science experiment
technical manual
posters notices signs
instructions on packaging

4. Instruction organisation
Title:
what’s to
be achieved
Maybe……
labelled diagrams
What you need
What to do, one step at a time

5. Instruction language features
Mix the flour..
Press button A..
Simple clear language
Imperative verbs
See also third person instructions
Second person (usually)
Necessary detail only
Number and/or time connectives
Cut along the line..
Always use the correct equipment
Feed and exercise your dog..
Firstly mix the flour……
7. Cut along the line …..
Finally, feed and exercise your dog……
Next press button A…..
Before you start choose the correct equipment
Back to instruction organisation

6. boxes for extra information or tips
Audience
someone who wants to
know what to do
Purpose
to help reader
achieve aim easily
clear layout
diagrams / pictures
boxes for extra information or tips

7. Third person instructions
When more than one person involved, e.g. a game
third person
present tense
provide names or labels
Player A takes a card…
Team 1 tries to score points… * * *
Team 2 tries to stop them…
The batting side…
The fielding side…

8. Writing Instructions *Do the activity ( or act it out).
Make brief notes as you go
*Make *list of “What you need”
*flow chart of what to do
*diagrams if necessary
*Turn flow chart into written instructions.

9. When writing with a partner..
REHEARSE *
Say each phrase or sentence aloud *
Improve if possible
WRITE
One writes,
one helps.
RE-READ
Read back to check it makes sense

10. Alternative ‘skeleton’ note- taking frameworks
comic strip
time line
list

11. ‘Skeleton’
blanks

12. What you need
Back to original

13. What to do, one step at a time
Back to original

14. Examples of ‘skeletons’ in use
Taken from ‘How to teach Writing Across the Curriculum’ (KS1/2) by Sue Palmer, with many thanks to David Fulton Publishers

15. Skeleton HOW TO MAKE A PERSONAL PHOTO FRAME You will need:
A good photo of yourself
A rectangle of thick card, bigger than your photo
4 strips of thinner coloured card
Scissors
Glue
Coloured crayons or pens
1. Put the photo of yourself on the thick card, right in the middle.
Use a dab of glue to stick it in position.
2. Lay one of the strips of coloured card across the top of your photo.
Trim the strip so that it covers the thick card and overlaps the photo a tiny bit.
3. Do the same with the others to cover the thick card
at the bottom and sides of the photo.
4. Glue the four strips together at the corners so they make a frame.
Use the coloured crayons or pens to decorate it with pictures of things you like.
5. Glue the frame over your photo on to the thick card.
6.Put your personal framed photo in the class display.
Strip of card
Photo
Thick card
Glue strips together
Skeleton

16. decorate with pics you like
Trim card to fit
photo
Strips
glue
thick card
stick on
glue together
Display
decorate with pics you like
Text

17. How to make a papier mâché bowl
You need: half a cup of flour
half a cup of water
a tablespoon of salt
a container for mixing paste
newspaper, torn into thin strips
a balloon, blown up and knotted
a strip of card (about 30cm by 4cm)
sticky tape and scissors
paint and brushes
varnish and brush
First make the paste. Put the flour and salt into a container and gradually mix in the water until it is thick and creamy.
Dip the strips of newspaper into the paste and smooth them down on to the unknotted end of the balloon. Cover enough of the balloon to make a bowl shape. Use three or four layers of paper strips. Leave to dry.
Make a base for the bowl by taping the card into a circle shape, and taping it on to the balloon. Cover with a few more paper strips to hold it in place.
Pop the balloon and remove its plastic skin. Ask a grown-up to help you trim the bowl, and smooth more paste strips over the edge to finish it off. Leave to dry.
Paint the bowl in bright colours. When dry , brush on a final coat of varnish.
Papier mâché is the French for ‘chewed paper’! It is a mixture of paper and paste that hardens when dry.
Skeleton

18. Text 2. Paper the balloon 3. Make base 1. Make paste 5.
3-4 layers of paper strips
card circle 2.
Paper the balloon 3.
Make base 1.
Make paste
tape and paper strips
flour and salt and water 5.
Paint and varnish 4.
Pop balloon Trim bowl
Finished bowl
Adult help
Text