How to grow a sunflower: instructions with time connectives
Children read a set of instructions, sort the features, put a jumbled process in order and write clear instructions for something they know how to do.
At a glance
- From
- Level 2, Moving Up English: Week 32, Story from pictures
- Grammar
- linking: so, because, then, when, before, after
- Key language
- First, fill the pot. / Next, make a small hole. / Then drop in the seed. / After that, water it. / Finally... / When a shoot appears, ... / Before you plant it, wash your hands.
- Children make
- A short set of instructions with a title, a list of things needed and five numbered steps.
- Class size
- Works with 10 to 50 children; pair and group steps say how to scale.
Objective
Children recognise the features of instructions (title, what you need, ordered steps, imperative verbs, time connectives) and write their own.
Success criteria for children
- I can find the imperative verbs and time words in instructions.
- I can put steps in the right order.
- I can write instructions with a title, a list of what you need, and numbered steps.
Timing: 60 minutes
| Minutes | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 6 | Warm-up: mime the steps | Children mime making a cup of tea while the teacher says each step. |
| 6 to 16 | Read: How to grow a sunflower | Read the instructions; spot title, list, steps, connectives. |
| 16 to 26 | Teach: imperatives and connectives | Imperatives start the instruction; connectives order it. |
| 26 to 36 | Practice: order and gaps | Worksheet tasks 1 and 2. |
| 36 to 53 | Plan and write your instructions | Choose a topic, plan with a list, write five steps. |
| 53 to 57 | Check with a partner | A partner follows the steps without help. |
| 57 to 60 | Exit ticket | Write one step. |
Materials
- A small pot, a little compost, a seed and a jug of water, if you can show the real thing
- Worksheet, pencils
- Adventure story (free, linked from Week 32)
- Sample papers, volume 2 (free, linked from Week 32)
Before the lesson: Seed packets give the exact depth and time of year for sowing. Check the packet if children will really plant the seed; the text keeps depths simple.
Step by step, with teacher talk
0 to 6 minWarm-up: mime the steps
- Say the steps with first, next, then, after that, finally. Children mime. Then mix up the order and ask: "Does it still work?"
"First, boil the water. Next... If I put the milk in before the tea bag, is it the same?"
6 to 16 minRead: How to grow a sunflower
- Read the text aloud. Children stand up each time they hear a time connective.
- Pairs find the title, the things you need, and the first word of each step. Write them on the board.
16 to 26 minTeach: imperatives and connectives
- Show that instructions use commands: fill, make, drop, water, put. No "you" is needed.
- Show the connective order: first, next, then, after that, finally. Also when and before inside a sentence.
- Write a bad version, "The seed was dropped by me in the hole," and improve it together.
- Which word starts the instruction, a command or a name? (A command.)
- Do we put "finally" first or last? (Last.)
26 to 36 minPractice: order and gaps
- Children number the jumbled steps for planting a bean, then complete the connectives. Check aloud.
36 to 53 minPlan and write your instructions
- Choose a topic they know: make toast, wash hands, tie a shoelace, make a paper boat.
- Children plan What you need first, then write five numbered steps with a different connective each time (task 3).
53 to 57 minCheck with a partner
- Partners read each other's instructions and tell the writer if anything was unclear.
57 to 60 minExit ticket
- See below.
Differentiation
Support
- Give a frame: "You will need... First,... Next,... Then,... Finally,..."
- Children write only four steps and draw a picture for each.
Stretch
- Add a warning: "Be careful: the pot may be heavy."
- Use when and before inside sentences: "When the soil is damp, stop watering."
- Add a "Top tip" at the end.
Reading passage
Sunflowers grow fast, and you can start one on a windowsill. Ask a grown-up to help you.
You will need: a small pot with holes in the bottom, some compost, one sunflower seed, a jug of water and a sunny windowsill.
1. First, fill the pot with compost. Leave a gap at the top about as deep as your thumb.
2. Next, make a small hole in the middle. Make it about as deep as the top joint of your finger.
3. Then drop one seed into the hole and cover it gently with compost.
4. After that, water the seed carefully. Do not use too much water, or the seed may rot.
5. Put the pot on a sunny windowsill. Water it a little every two or three days.
6. When a green shoot appears, turn the pot a little each day so the stem grows straight.
7. Finally, when the weather is warm and the plant is taller than the pot, ask a grown-up to help you plant it outside.
Remember: wash your hands after you touch compost.
Questions
- What do you need? Name three things.
- Why should you not use too much water?
- What do you do when a green shoot appears?
- Which step starts with "After that"?
- What should you do after touching compost?
Printable worksheet
Prints on its own A4 page. Use Print the worksheet above, or print the whole plan and the worksheet starts on a new page. One copy per child, or one per pair to save paper.
Instructions
1. Number the steps for growing a bean in a jar (1 to 5).
- ( ___ ) Add a little water every day so the paper stays damp.
- ( ___ ) Put the jar on a light windowsill.
- ( ___ ) Fill the jar with paper towel and make it damp.
- ( ___ ) After a week, look for a small root and a shoot.
- ( ___ ) Push a bean between the glass and the paper.
2. Choose the connective.
- , fill the pot with compost.
- , make a small hole in the middle.
- you plant the seed, wash your hands.
- Water the seed. that, put the pot on a windowsill.
- a shoot appears, turn the pot every day.
- , take your plant outside with a grown-up.
3. Write your own instructions. Title: How to __
You will need: ______________________________
Answer key
Reading passage questions
- Any three of: a small pot, compost, a seed, a jug of water, a sunny windowsill.
- The seed may rot.
- Turn the pot a little each day so the stem grows straight.
- Step 4 (water the seed).
- Wash your hands.
Worksheet
- 1, from the top: 4, 3, 1, 5, 2.
- 2: First; Next; Before; After; When; Finally.
- 3: answers will vary. Check a title, a list of things needed, imperative verbs, at least four different time connectives and a sensible order.
Exit ticket
Write one step from your instructions, starting with a time connective and a command verb. Then say which connective comes last.
Homework
Teach someone at home to do something using your instructions. Ask them if every step was clear and fix one step.
Teaching this to a whole class?
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Start free with LitlingsMore lesson plans
- Level 2, Week 32: Story from pictures (the curriculum week this plan comes from)
- All reading texts, dialogues, scripts, worksheets and answer keys on this page are original to Litlings and free to copy for classroom use.