Lesson 62: Reading simple instructions

📖 READING (40 Lessons) • 🟡 C. Reading for Information

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Objective

Read short step-by-step instructions, use order words like first, next, then, last, and follow directions in the correct order.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Reading simple instructions

Sometimes we read a story just for fun. It has characters, a setting, and a beginning, middle, and end.

Other times, we read words that tell us how to do something. These are called instructions. Instructions are a type of informational text we use in real life.

In this lesson, you will read simple step-by-step instructions. They might tell you how to wash your hands, how to line up, or how to make a snack.

Most instruction texts have:

  • a title that says what you will do (for example, “How to Wash Your Hands”)
  • short steps written in order
  • order words like first, next, then, last

Good readers use each part to understand the steps:

  • Look at the title and say: “These instructions tell how to ____.”
  • Look at the steps from top to bottom and notice the numbers or order words.
  • Ask yourself for each step: “What do I do now?”

Instructions are different from stories:

  • Stories are mostly for fun.
  • Instructions are mostly to help you do something the right way.

To follow instructions, you can think:

  • “What do I do first?”
  • “What do I do next?”
  • “What do I do then?”
  • “What do I do last?”

You can use these frames when you read and follow steps:

  • “First I ___.”
  • “Next I ___.”
  • “Then I ___.”
  • “Last I ___.”

Today, you will practice reading simple instructions, doing each step in order, and telling someone the steps you followed from first to last.

Picture strip: Tiny instruction cards with steps in order

Guided Practice — Mini-book: Simple instructions

How to use this mini-book:

  • Read each page as a tiny set of instructions.
  • Point out order words: first, next, then, last.
  • Have your child act out one of the sets of instructions if possible.

You can also cut the steps apart, mix them up, and ask your child to put them back in the correct order.

Instruction words
first next then last step finish

Frames: “First I ___.” “Next I ___.” “Then I ___.” “Last I ___.”

Mini-Book: Simple instructions

1

Wash your hands

First, turn on the water and make your hands wet. Next, put soap on your hands and rub them together.

What is the first step in these instructions?

2

Wash your hands (finish)

Then, scrub your hands for a little while. Last, rinse off the soap and dry your hands with a towel.

What do you do last in these instructions?

3

Line up at the door

First, push in your chair. Next, walk quietly to the door with your hands by your sides.

What do you do after you push in your chair?

4

Line up at the door (finish)

Then, stand behind the person in front of you. Last, wait quietly until the teacher says it is time to go.

How do you stand while you wait?

5

Make a snack

First, wash your hands. Next, put a slice of bread on a plate. Then, ask an adult to help you spread something on it.

What do you do before you put the bread on the plate?

6

Make a snack (finish)

Last, fold the bread or add another slice on top. Now your snack is ready to eat.

What is the last step before you eat the snack?

Reading Practice — Following steps

Read each set of instructions. Choose the best answer about the steps or the order. Then press “Check answers”.

1) “First, get a clean piece of paper. Next, take out your pencil. Then, write your name at the top.”
What should you do first?
2) “First, draw a big circle. Next, draw two small eyes. Then, draw a smile. Last, color your picture.”
What do you do last?
3) Which words in instructions tell you the order of the steps?
4) “First, put your book away. Next, line up by the door.”
What should you do after you put your book away?
5) Why is it important to read instructions from the first step to the last step?
6) After you finish a task, what is a good way to use the instructions again?
7) “First, put two slices of bread on a plate. Next, add cheese. Then, put the slices together.”
What is the first thing you put on the plate?
8) After reading “How to wash your hands,” what is the best way to talk about the instructions?

Quick Check (10 questions)

1) What are simple instructions?

2) Which word is an order word you might see in instructions?

3) If instructions say “First, wash your hands. Next, sit at the table,” what should you do first?

4) Which sentence could be the title of a set of instructions?

5) What does the word “last” tell you in instructions?

6) When you read instructions, you should…

7) A set of instructions shows a picture of soap and hands. What is it most likely about?

8) Which set of words shows the steps in the right order?

9) If you do not understand a step, what should you do?

10) To get better at reading instructions, you can…

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

I will practice…

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