Minds On
What’s next?
Can you think of a time you had to follow steps to do something? Let’s think of the steps to brush your teeth. What do we have to do?
There are many times when we have to follow steps to complete a task. There are also times when we have to explain steps to another person. Access the following videos, Family Fun Time and Odd Squad Healthy Habit, to examine how we can explain something using steps.
When you follow steps to do something, that is called following a procedure. When we write out steps for others to follow, that is called procedural writing.
A procedural text tells the reader “How To” do something. In this learning activity, we will learn how to write a procedural text.
How to Write a Procedure. Goal: Learning how to write a procedure. The materials you will need are a pencil, an eraser, and paper. Step 1: Write the title. Step 2: State your goal. Step 3. Then write the materials (what you need). Step 4: Next, write the steps in order. Step 5: Finally, write the conclusion. That’s how you write a procedure!
Action
Writing procedure
Let’s take some time to think about all the things we know about. What are some “How To” things we can tell others? There are 5 main parts of a procedural text. Let’s go over each of them so we can move forward in our writing.
First, we need a title. In this case our title could be something like, “How to Write a Procedure,” since this is what we are learning about.
Next, what is our goal? Our goal here is to learn to write a procedure. Of course, we cannot forget our materials. What do we need? We would need the following: a pencil, eraser, and paper.
Let’s review for a moment:
- First, you write the title: “How to Write a Procedure”
- Then you write your materials (what you need): pencil, eraser, and paper.
- Next, you write the steps of your procedure
- Finally, you write your conclusion
That is how you write a procedure!
Examine the following image to see the 5 main parts of a procedural text.
How to Write a Procedure. Goal: Learning how to write a procedure. The materials you will need are a pencil, an eraser, and paper. Step 1: Write the title. Step 2: State your goal. Step 3. Then write the materials (what you need). Step 4: Next, write the steps in order. Step 5: Finally, write the conclusion. That’s how you write a procedure!
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Steps of the Writing Process.
Prewriting: brainstorm
Brainstorm
How do you tie your shoes?
Before we begin our brainstorm, let’s talk about the different methods to tie your shoelaces. Record ideas in the following fillable and printable Brainstorm Organizer document. You can also record your ideas on the blackboard, whiteboard, chart paper, as an audio recording, or in your notebook.
Drafting: writing plan and draft
Your writing plan answers the questions: who, what, why, and how of your writing. A writing plan helps to make sure your draft is just what you want.
Q: Who will read my writing?
A: Students and teacher
Q: What am I writing about?
A: How to tie your shoelaces
Q: What am I trying to do with my writing?
A: To inform
Q: How will I get my ideas out?
A: Sentences
Access the following fillable and printable Procedural Text Organizer to plan a draft. You can also complete this activity in your notebook.
Revising: focus on content
When revising work, you want to:
- read your work out loud
- find other words you might want to use
- make other changes so the writing is just right
- stay on one topic
Procedural Writing Checklist
You may wish to use the Procedural Writing Checklist to help you while you are revising your work.
Access the following printable version of the Procedural Writing Checklist to keep as a reference.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
If possible, share your work with a partner. Read your work out loud. What did you like about your writing? What would you change next time?
Use the following phrases:
- I like the way you…
- Next time you could…
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Consolidation
Bringing it all together
There are many ways to give instructions about how to do something.
We wrote a procedure to explain how to tie your shoelaces.
We examined a video about how to make tea.
We listened to a song about how to wash our hands.
Test Your Skills!
Your turn!
You have finished your procedural writing task. Think of a fun way to share with steps for someone else. You can make a song like the hand-washing song. You can make a recording, a poster, or something else creative.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.