Cover lesson · Science and Technology · Year 3 · Beginner

Writing instructions for growing cress

LNF: Literacy → Writing → Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context

Name: Class: Date:

Cover teacher: you need no subject knowledge

What this practises: literacy in science. Pupils put muddled picture steps in order, learn the features of instructions (title, “You will need” list, numbered steps, bossy verbs, ordering words), then plan and write their own instructions for growing cress in an eggshell, for a Year 2 class. Science link: seeds need water, warmth and light to grow. Nobody plants anything today.

Print: this sheet, one per pupil. No computers are needed.

Run: 5 min read “What you are doing” aloud and talk about the 6 pictures · 6 min Step 1 · 8 min Step 2 · 7 min Step 3 · 5 min Step 4 · 15 min Step 5 · 6 min Step 6 · 5 min Step 7 · 3 min two pupils read their instructions while the class acts them out. Total 60 minutes.

Collect: this sheet. Step 5 is the main piece of writing. Quick checks: picture order is D, B, E, A, F, C; the bossy verbs in Step 2 are fill, put, wait; good instructions have a title, a list, numbered steps, a bossy verb in every step and ordering words.

What you are doing

Next week, Year 2 are going to grow cress in eggshells. They need clear instructions. You will put the steps in order, learn what makes good instructions, and then write instructions that Year 2 can follow.

Step 1: put the pictures in order

These steps are muddled. Write a number from 1 to 6 in each box to show the right order.

A
seeds
Sprinkle cress seeds on top.
Order: ☐		B

Put cotton wool in the eggshell.
Order: ☐		C

Cut the cress and eat it.
Order: ☐
D

Draw a face on the eggshell.
Order: ☐		E

Wet the cotton wool with water.
Order: ☐		F

Put it on a sunny windowsill.
Order: ☐

Step 2: what makes good instructions?

Read these instructions for something different: making a bird bath.

How to make a bird bath

You will need: an old plate, 3 stones, a jug of water.

1. First, fill the jug with water.
2. Next, put the plate on the ground and place the stones on it.
3. Then pour water onto the plate.
4. Finally, wait quietly and watch for birds.

Copy an example of each feature from the bird bath instructions.

FeatureExample from the bird bath
A title that says what you will make
A list of what you need
Numbered steps
Ordering words

Bossy verbs tell you what to do. Circle the bossy verb in each step:   fill or jug?   plate or put?   wait or quietly?

Step 3: bossy verbs and ordering words

Choose a bossy verb from the box for each picture.

cut    draw    put    sprinkle    pour    place

DBEAFC

Ordering words: First, Next, Then, After that, After about 7 days, Finally. Which one would you use for the last step?

Step 4: plan your list

Look at the pictures. Write everything Year 2 will need.

You will need:

Step 5: write your instructions

Write for Year 2. Start each step with an ordering word and use a bossy verb. Keep each step short.

Title:

1
2
3
4
5
6

Step 6: check your instructions

My instructions have...✓ or ✗
a title
a “You will need” list
numbered steps in the right order
a bossy verb in every step
ordering words
capital letters and full stops

Step 7: add a top tip

Write one top tip for Year 2 using the word because. For example, why the cress needs the windowsill, or why the cotton wool must stay wet.

Step by step

  1. 5 min Listen and look at the pictures.
  2. 6 min Step 1: put the pictures in order.
  3. 8 min Step 2: find the features of instructions.
  4. 7 min Step 3: choose bossy verbs and ordering words.
  5. 5 min Step 4: plan your list.
  6. 15 min Step 5: write your instructions.
  7. 6 min Step 6: check them.
  8. 5 min Step 7: add a top tip.
  9. 3 min Read aloud while the class acts them out.

Success criteria

If you finish early