Instructional Texts on the Web (Feb 2002) - adult literacy group teaching idea with links to resources.

Group Teaching Session: Instructional Texts
followed by individual investigations, looking at instructions on the web. Links updated 30/07/07

READING: Text / Sentence Focus Work - Monday Feb 25th and March 4th 2002

Search skillsworkshop.org or Ctrl-F to search THIS page only
Learning Objectives: Read, recognise and understand features of instructional texts (range of levels) by looking at a variety of such texts. Introduce (or revise) these terms: source, purpose, audience, layout, verb, imperative (command), linking word (connective), bullets, chronological, hyperlink, second person.
Text Focus	Sentence Focus
Trace and understand main events of instructional texts. Rt/E2.1 Recognise the different purposes of text. Rt/E2.2 Rt/E3.2 Recognise how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes (e.g. to instruct). Rt/L1.2 Identify common sources of information. Rt/E2.3 Recognise and understand the organisational features and typical language of instructional texts. e.g. use of 2nd and imperatives, lists, bullets, diagrams, layout. Rt/E3.3 Use illustrations and captions to locate information. Rt/E2.4 Understand and use organisational features to locate information. Rt/E3.5 Rt/L1.4 Relate an image to print and use it obtain meaning. Rt/E3.9	Read and understand linking words and adverbials in instructions and directions. Rs/E2.1 Recognise and understand the organisational features and typical language of instructional texts (e.g. imperatives, second person). Use of short sentences. Clear unambiguous language. Formal tone and vocabulary. Know the term "verb". Rs/E3.1 Understand that some sentence structures and types of word will occur more often in some types of text than others. Rs/L1.1
	IT objectives
	Investigate a range of instructional texts available online and extract information from them. Gain confidence on the web, use hyperlinks and other organisational features of web pages. Use "back" button, print pages, evaluate web pages, etc.

Mon 25th Feb: PART ONE - group teaching and discussion.

1) We started the class by asking if students had brought in any instructions. This was mentioned last week - we were expecting at least one set of (bad) video instructions and a set of instructions for someone's new oven! Unfortunately everyone had forgotten to bring their examples in...

2) Students that have not brought in texts (and those that were absent last session) were invited to hunt in the college library for ten minutes and bring their finds into the class room.

3) An OT about the different purposes of text was displayed. This OT (download PDF) has been displayed to the student many times before. The tutor did a quick recap on the six main purposes - explaining that this half term we would be concentrating on instructional text (students had spent the previous half term looking at descriptive text).

4) A second OT then followed download PDF (again seen by the students on many previous occasions) - and the tutor stressed the importance of thinking about what we read.

5) A pile of pre-prepared magazines were handed out to students (pages containing instructional texts had been marked by the tutor with small post-it notes).
*We used "Candis" magazines because they are small, easy to carry around, have a good variety of articles and are well written. Students studied them for a few minutes and then contributed to a brainstorming session. Results of discussion on whiteboard below.
* Magazine articles included "5 Ways to Help your Child beat the Hospital Blues", several recipes, a knitting pattern, "Combating Cot Death", garden tips for the month, Money Wise Bargain Hunting, stencilling a china bowl, garden safety tips, 7 ways to impress at a job interview, etc. (Select a variety - some with bullets, some with numbered instructions, some with illustrations or diagrams, headings, statements of intent, etc.).

6) As the list of features on the whiteboard gradually grew - we stopped to talk about various features. Imperative verbs were discussed - at this point the tutor read from an old (un-illustrated) cookery book (her grandmother's) demonstrating the use of the imperative. This led to a discussion about modern technology and how it has made it easier to produce texts that are interesting, eye-catching, easy to understand and encourage the reader to read on. The term "chronological" was also introduced - with the tutor checking that everyone understood its meaning.

7) It was then explained that the rest of the session would be spent looking at examples of instructional text on the internet, noting their main features. Which examples are clear and easy to understand? Which ones make good use of pictures / diagrams? Do any of the texts make bad use of pictures? Could some be improved? If yes - how?

8) Again, the tutor referred back to the second OT - pointing out the importance of thinking about what we read. What is it? (form). Where is it from? (source) Who is it for? (audience) and what is it for? (purpose).

Mon 25th Feb (continued March 4th): PART TWO - individual work. Looking at instructions on the web.

1) Home page of this web site (which all students have in their "favourites") was shown on large screen PC. Students were reminded how to get to this page and shown how to use the links (see table below) to view a variety of instructional texts, and how to use the "back" button to return to this page after viewing each text. Pleas to remain on track and not get diverted will also be issued! Time will be allocated at the end of the session for general web exploration.

2) Each student is given a record sheet to record their opinions and ideas about each web page they look at. Students are asked to start at Text 1a and work through the list at their own pace.
Work sheets are differentiated (*see notes and links below) - all ask the student to record what the page is about and it's purpose. Middle and higher levels are asked to list two imperative verbs from each site, the intended audience and who the site is produced by. All students are expected to comment on the the site - is it easy to read, is it clear, does it make you want to read more, is it useful, could it be improved?

WorksheetE2 WorksheetE3 WorksheetL1 (each a set of four pages). The first page gives a summary of the main features of instructive texts, the second shows an example of a completed investigation chart. The remaining two pages are blank fill-in charts where students record their ideas on source, layout, language and audience. One is suitable for use with the web links on this page; the final chart can be used with traditional printed sources.

PLENARY and follow up

General discussion on findings. Next week we will continue our investigation and start thinking about writing our own instructions - or possibly improving some of the ones we have found this week.
Note: the following week one student copied and pasted some instructions into Word and underlined imperatives / connectives.

Virtual Whiteboard!

Instructional Texts

Examples

recipes manuals - car, computer, DIY

directions - on information leaflets, party invitations

rules - board games, card games

regulations - exams, bye-laws

knitting patterns, sewing patterns, craft instructions

medicine bottle labels.

Features

pictures - diagrams, photographs,

bullets or numbers chronological

imperative verbs

direct and to the point

linking words (connectives) to do with time - firstly, next, then, now, afterwards.

Mon Feb 25th: Looking at Instructional Texts on the Web
Instructions from Maggie to students: Collect your worksheet (for recording your thoughts and findings). Extra copies can be printed by clicking on these links (look for your initials): WsE2 (AC, BB), WsE3 (RH, YY, SY), WsL1 (JS, EL, LV). Start your investigation by clicking on blue link to text 1a (below). Fill in your answers for 1a on your worksheet Use the "back" button on Internet Explorer (arrow - top left of screen) to return to this page Now click on the link to text 2b.		Work your way through the list. Try not to get diverted! (I know it's difficult - but there should be time at the end of the session for some personal investigating). If you finish - use a search engine to find other instructional texts that you would find useful: cooking, gardening tips, whatever you are interested in (please print sample copies to put in your portfolio). There are also some links at the bottom of the table under "miscellaneous". Are these good instructions? Can you improve what I've written in steps 1-10?
Table of Links to be used by students (lesson plan above this table). A tutor's reference version of this table can be found here.
text 1a	text 2a	text 3a	text 4a (no longer available)
text 5a

text 1b	text 2b	text 3b	text 4b
text 5b	text 6b	text 7b	text 8b

text 2c	text 3c	text 4c	text 5c
text 6c	text 7c	text 8c	text 9c
text 10c

DIY Fix It	These miscellaneous sites are full of instructional texts. Visit their home pages and then choose a page of interest. If you are commenting on these texts in your worksheet - please print out the page you were looking at and leave in your folder.
How to clean anything
Hints and Things

Tutor's conclusion: "... this was another successful topic although we ran out of time and most students only got to look at a couple of instructional texts.

Entry 2 students needed support of a volunteer but everyone enjoyed looking at the texts. All were confident using the hyperlinks.

This is the first time we have suggested students print their own differentiated worksheets straight from the site (by looking for their initials next to the correct download) - this worked well (once we solved a problem with the printer!).

Thanks to following for all their hard work and comments: Ross, Andrew, Liz, Luisa and Jourdan (students), Linda (volunteer tutor).

Students comments... (coming soon)

Useful Links: BBC Skillswise site has some good worksheets about instructions including picture maps for paired work in giving directions. There are also excellent shared texts (instructions) on Primary Resources.

Online Technical Writing: Instructions a fantastically detailed breakdown of instructional writing suitable for Level 2 students. Choice of 4 texts. Select frames view - students choose a feature (e.g. headings, imperative, list) and can then see them highlighted in the example text.

Return to Main Lesson Plan Menu

Tutors Reference - Table of Links
Level (rough guide only)	Instructional Texts	What is it?	Published/produced by...	Audience - the nature of the internet means that most texts are also aimed at general adult surfers.
E2/3	text 1a	bicycle safety	UK government road safety promotion	Children (and parents / teachers)
	text 2a	make an origami frog	Children's educational site	Children interested in making things, parents looking for things for their kids to do
	text 3a	local directions with map	Local hockey team's web site	Other teams and supporters visiting sports ground
	text 4a (no longer available)	skateboard and roller blading safety	UK government road safety promotion	Children (and parents / teachers)
	text 5a	clanger knitting pattern	Private individual on university web site	Clanger fans, knitters!
E3/L1	text 1b	local directions no map	Hockey team web site	Other teams and supporters visiting sports ground
	text 2b	diet scrambled eggs	BBC web site	Delia Smith fans - especially those that want to lose weight! BBC viewers. Cooks.
	text 3b	level crossings (Highway code)	UK Government	Road users - especially (learner) drivers
	text 4b	mousetrap	Individual who is interested in game instructions.	People who play Mousetrap / interested in games /lost instructions
	text 5b	kids - eggs	Children's web site	Children interested in cooking.
	text 6b	speedy pizza recipe	Recipe Web Site	Adults interested in cooking
	text 7b	science experiment	BBC Norfolk	Children interested in science
	text 8b	free knitting patterns	Hobby site for hand knitters	Adults, knitters.
L1/L2
	text 2c	mousse recipe	Tony Tobin (Ready Steady Cook)	Adults interested in cookery
	text 3c	food safety	UK Government	General adult audience. Those working /training in food industry.
	text 4c	rummy rules	Card Game Web Site	Adult card players.
	text 5c	safety at work	UK Government	General adult. Companies, workplaces. Health and safety reps, etc.
	text 6c	council tenants	UK Local Government	Council tenants or those wishing to become tenants
	text 7c	advice on handling anthrax	US Centre for Disease Control	General adult
	text 8c	Highway Code: general rules for all drivers and riders	UK Government	Drivers/riders on UK roads.
	text 9c	Energy Saving Tips	Global Action Plan (UK Registered Charity)	General adult
	text 10c	Gardening diary of things to do	Northamptonshire web site	Adults, gardeners,
Misc.	DIY Fix It	These miscellaneous sites are full of instructional texts. Visit their home pages and then choose a page of interest. If you are commenting on these texts in your worksheet - please print out the page you were looking at and leave in your folder.
	How to clean anything
	Hints and Things

Return to Main Lesson Plan Menu