7 Writing a Sequence of Instructions: How-To Books

In this unit, Kindergarten students now become teachers using writing to teach others. Specifically, they write to teach others how to do something. This type of procedural writing relates to all they do across the day. Students begin seeing How-To texts everywhere: game board directions, recipes, and inside Lego boxes. The world is full procedural writing and kindergarten students can learn by studying them.

Procedural writing requires writers to write explicitly, clearly, and sequentially to teach others how to accomplish a task. Procedural writers need to anticipate what their audience will need to know. To write a How-to book, a kindergarten student recalls a procedure, starting at the beginning and proceeding in a step-by-step and precise manner to the end.

There are four main parts to this unit. The first part is the launch of the unit and it encourages writing or reading lots and lots of little procedural books. The second part of the unit emphasizes the importance of writing in such a way that readers can read the writing. The third part of the unit turns to lifting the level of student writing to create more elaborate and clear text with the deeper use of mentor text. Finally, the unit ends with students revising their text more extensively to prepare for publication.

While the information contained here is not related to Unit Level Standards, important information related to UDL is included for your reference.

What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

UDL is a research-based framework that focuses on proactive design and delivery of curriculum, instruction and assessment. UDL provides opportunities for every student to learn and show what they know, with high expectations for all learners.

Each student learns in a unique manner so a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective. UDL principles create options for how instruction is presented, how students express their ideas, and how teachers can engage students in their learning. (NY DOE)

© CAST, 2013

UDL
Universal Design for Learning

1. How do writers use mentor text to study characteristics of procedural how-to books and generated procedural how-to topics?
2. How do writers think of topics, rehearsing and writing lots of books?
3. How do writers write so that readers can read our writing?
4. How do writers revise their how-to books?
5. How do writers prepare for publication?

Part One: On Demand Assessment

Part Two: Immersion Phase

Concept I: Writers use mentor text to study characteristics of procedural How-To books and generate procedural How-To topics. Immersion Phase - See Immersion Explanation

Sample Session: Immersing students in mentor text to generate How-To topics?

Part Three: Lesson Sequence Phase

Concept II: Writers generate topics; rehearse ideas and write lots of books

Session 1 Writers think about things they know how to do and create book covers.

Session 2 Writers rehearse across their fingers to remember each step.

Session 3 Writers rehearse and touch pages to remember each step.

Session 4 Writers check to see if their directions are correct.

Session 5 Writers add to their pictures to help the reader understand the steps.

Session 6 Writers use a teaching voice in their writing.

Session 7 Writers use precise words.

Session 8 Writers add to their pictures.

Concept III: Writers write so that readers can read their writing

Session 9 Writers have many ways to help them spell words.

Session 10 Writers use spaces between words.

Session 11 Writers have strategies to solve unknown words.

Concept IV: Writers revise their How-To books

Session 12 Writers act out their How-To books with partners to revise.

Session 13 Writers use mentor text to help revise their How-To books.

Session 14 Writers use warnings and tips.

Concept V: Writers prepare for publication

Session 15 Writers choose a writing piece and add or take out steps.

Session 16 Writers check their words and sentences.

Session 17 Writers improve their How-To with color, a book cover, and ‘about the expert’ page.

Session 18 Writers celebrate and share with others.