'Instructions' tutor notes
The aim of the instructions topic area is to remind students how to form the imperative and to allow reading practice of following instructions. The worksheets in this section also practise choosing the clearest instruction, giving verbal instructions and choosing words for linking instructions together.
For more work on instructions look at the 'Types of text' module in the reading section.
How does this tie in with the new curriculums?
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England
Rt/L1.2 - 'Know that different types of text use different sorts of
language, structural and presentational devices'.
'Recognise how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes (e.g. to instruct)'
Rt/L1.5 - 'Use different reading strategies to find and obtain information' (the example given is a timed skimming exercise. The map game will involve timed reading).
Rs/L1.1 - 'Understand that some sentence structures and types of words will occur more often in some types of text than others'.
Wt/L1.3 - 'Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate' (example given includes writing a set of instructions).
'Use format and structure for different purposes.'
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Wales
As England.
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Northern Ireland
As England.
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Scotland
See www.aloscotland.com for details of the Scottish curriculum.
In the Skillswise module you'll find:
Instructions game
In this game the learner chooses a character to help. There are six characters and twelve routes to choose from. The learner helps their character complete their task in 'Skillswise City' by following the instructions and choosing where on the map they think the instruction should lead them to.
The learner has unlimited chances to get it right, but they will score more points if they get it right the first time (ten for first time, five for second time and just two points after that). The learner also has the option to play against the clock, but this isn't obligatory. The clock is currently set at six minutes - but we would be interested to know if you find this too fast or too slow!
The game is designed to familiarise learners with following instructions and sometimes the instructions are deliberately ambiguous - to give some real-life practice. The instructions are written from the point of view of the person travelling on the map - so left is not necessarily the player's left.
Please tell us what you think of the game.
Instructions activity
This is a very short piece of video where Craig Phillips gives some hints and tips about how to follow instructions. There is no exercise attached.
Please note - you will need the free Realplayer software on your machine to watch this clip (see below).
Instructions (imperatives) quiz
The learner can choose their level. Level A is the easiest and level C the hardest. All 3 levels deal with identifying the imperative and work on a true or false basis.
Students can print out a certificate if they score 50% or more in the quiz. This will appear as a link on the results page - click on the link and the certificate will appear in a new window. Once printed learners can write their name on the certificate.
Instructions factsheet
The facts about writing and reading instructions in the imperative, with examples, on one 'print-out-and-keep' sheet.
Instructions worksheets
There are 8 worksheets in this section, with answer sheets where necessary. These are designed as extra, printable resources to carry on the work in class or at home.
There are 4 worksheets which practise generic instruction skills, such as giving directions and using linking words.
The most recent additions are the workplace instructions worksheets, which are designed to practise instructions within a workplace context. These are currently retail, care, childcare and catering. These will be followed by construction and health and safety.
Whilst mapping to Level 1 of the curriculum for England and Wales, these new resources also aim to hit learning points needed to achieve sector NVQs.
Alternative way of doing worksheet 6 (care)
You could use this worksheet as a speaking and listening exercise. Give student A the information sheet and student B the blank daily activities sheet. Student A would have to read the info. sheet and give verbal instructions to student B, who would have to complete the details on the blank daily activities sheet.
More about worksheet 7 (childcare)
Before starting this activity with students you could initiate a number of discussions (SLd/L1). For example:
- How do you teach children to wash their hands after going to the toilet?
- What makes a simple, clear poster?
Before creating the poster students could draft different types layouts and designs before choosing a final version (Wt/L1.1). See the 'Taking it further' section above for websites of other posters.
Technical help:
To get the most out of this topic area you need the following 'plug-ins':
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Flash
The game in this module uses the Flash browser plug-in. This is free to download and should only take a few minutes. You can follow the BBC WebWise instructions to download it to your machine.
Find out more.
If you don't have Flash the same learning points are covered in the quiz and in the worksheets and factsheets.
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Realplayer
The activity in this topic section uses Realplayer. This is software that allows you to view and hear the video clips. Realplayer is free to download and should only take a few minutes. You can follow the BBC WebWise instructions to download it to your machine.
Find out more
If you are new to the web, why not try the BBC WebWise online course, Becoming WebWise? It's free, you can do it in your own time from any computer and it will take you through everything you need to know to use the web successfully in your teaching.
Find out more about WebWise.
You can find out more about the technical requirements for Skillswise in our Help - Technical Information section.
Taking it further:
Here's a few suggestions of other places on the web that you might find useful resources that you can adapt for teaching instructions and the imperative.
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DIY SOS
There are loads of step-by-step instruction guides in this DIY haven. Whether you want to hang a door, or build some kitchen cabinets there are instructions and a video. The text is full of linking words and the instructions are quite complex - involving level 1 decisions about following instructions in a way that is relevant to your circumstances.
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Recipes galore!
There are 100s of recipes from all over the World in the BBC Food database.
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First Aid
This is the BBC's interactive online first aid course. You can take the whole course, or you can just dip in to find out what to do if someone's having a heart attack or a child is choking. The 'Action file' section has some great, easy to follow instruction cards on emergency procedures, with loads of examples of imperatives.
- The following websites include examples of posters encouraging hygiene and hand washing, useful for worksheet 7:
Don't forget to visit Lesson plans and Teaching inspirations for more ideas on teaching instructions.
