3 Writing a Sequence of Instructions: How-To Books

Students don’t enter your classroom as blank slates. They enter with daily lives rich with activities and experiences. This unit on How-To will focus on students as experts, enticing and motivating them to teach their area of expertise.

How-To, the procedural writing taught in this unit, aligns with the Common Core State Standards. The nature of procedural writing which requires explicitness, clarity and sequence will help students navigate the challenges of both reading and writing informational texts. Understanding and writing procedural texts will support students as they work in content areas.

While the immersion activities in the unit focus on written material, teachers should incorporate everyday experiences to demonstrate that procedure is a part of everyday living (e.g. doing a summersault, craft project, making a lunch choice, recess games, etc.). Following up these life experiences with a shared writing activity will enrich the immersion phase. Paper selection and expectations will be essential as it was in previous units. It will be important to encourage the use of longer booklets since students may have written a How-To book during their kindergarten year.

As the students move out of the immersion phase into writing, writers remember that authors plan. Writers are taught that their readers must be able to read and follow their directions. This includes adding an introduction that sets up the book, plus a closure that ties the ends together. These sections are also highlighted in the Common Core State Standards. Inclusion of more sophisticated features and the focus on the tone of their word choice will lift the level of How-To texts too. Writers will also learn that there are certain ordinal words or words that indicate a sequence to help cue the reader to follow the steps.

The final days of the unit are spent on revision and editing and a final celebration with another classroom.

Expectations:

The following suggestions and expectations are from Calkins (2011). A Curricular Plan for the Writing Workshop Grade 1 (Unit Four Procedural Writing – How-To Books). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Please read this resource for in-depth information.

• Following immersion, expect young writers to generate many How-To topics and move quickly through the writing process: selecting a topic, rehearsing and planning, then drafting. Students should apply what they’ve learned from kindergarten as they write How-To text.

• After concept II in the MAISA unit, look for writers to have many How-To pieces (five or more). If the volume is low, spend additional time teaching students to write more.

• Concepts III and IV are designed to life the level of their How-To books, applying strategies to existing work and new pieces.

• Students will select one (or two) pieces to take to final 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 utilize mentor texts to craft their writing?
2. How do writers choose topics, rehearse and write lots and lots of books?
3. How do writers use effective techniques to craft procedural texts?
4. How do writers revise and edit their procedural texts?
5. How do writers celebrate procedural texts?

On Demand Assessment: How-To pre-write (optional)

Part Two: Immersion Phase – Sample Lessons

Concept I: Writers utilize mentor texts to craft their writing.

Immersion Sample Session 1- Writers read mentor texts as readers.

Immersion Sample Session 2- Writers reread mentor texts as writers, noticing and naming the components that

How-To books have. Writers start listing possible How-To text they could write.

Immersion Sample Session 3- Writers chart How-To components found in all/some How-To texts.

Immersion Sample Session 4- Writers reread mentor texts and tell how components help the reader or writer.

Immersion Sample Session 5- Writers reread mentor texts noticing teaching and ordinal words.

Part Three: Lesson Sequence Phase

Concept II: Writers choose topics, rehearse and write lots and lots of books.

Session 1 Writers select a topic and begin rehearsing.

Session 2 Writers plan books through sketching.

Session 3 Writers go back and check their steps for clarity.

Session 4 Writers role play directions with their partner to check for clarity.

Session 5 Writers add clear and precise pictures and words to help readers understand directions.

Concept III: Writers use effective techniques to craft their procedural text.

Session 6 Writers use supportive features to help their readers learn (e.g. title, materials, steps, pictures).

Session 7 Writers use precise words to be clear about each step and to help their reader follow steps in order.

Session 8 Writers use an introduction to entice readers.

Session 9 Writers provide some sense of closure.

Session 10 Writers study mentor text to find special features that will enhance their How-To books.

Concept IV: Writers revise and edit their procedural text.

Session 11 Writers go back and edit using correct punctuation.

Session 12 Writers work with partners to make sure their books make sense and have all the information needed.

Session 13 Writers use a checklist to cross-check their work.

Session 14 Writers make work readable by ... (Teacher choice - editing lesson based on students’ needs)

Session 15 Writers use an editing checklist to prepare for publication.

Concept V: Writers celebrate procedural text.

Session 16 Writers celebrate their How-To writing.

Session 17 Unit Wrap-Up Session.