Writing Procedural Texts

Overview

This engaging 30-minute class with 14 students focuses on applying procedural writing techniques to create a simple, age-appropriate recipe: Rice Krispie buns. This lesson is carefully designed to align with the IE Curriculum framework for First Class (age 6-7), supporting key literacy competencies including writing procedure texts, sequencing, and oral language development.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• W1.4 Write simple procedural texts using sequenced steps (IE Curriculum: English, Writing Standards, First Class).
• R2.1 Listen and respond to information presented orally and visually (Listening and Talking).
• L1.2 Use appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures to describe processes.
• S1.3 Work collaboratively, discussing ideas and sharing writing.

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Curriculum Connections

• English: Writing - Procedures strand
• English: Listening and Talking - Listening for Information and Ideas
• Personal and Social Education - Collaborative skills

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Resources

• Visual stimulus: Picture sequence showing ingredients and steps for making Rice Krispie buns
• Real or plastic ingredients (Rice Krispies, melted chocolate, butter, cupcake cases) as props
• Whiteboard and markers
• Writing books and pencils

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (7 mins)

Stimulus:
Show students the picture sequence of making Rice Krispie buns (4 images: ingredients, mixing, spooning into cases, cooling).

• Lower Order Question:
  "What do you see in these pictures?"
  (Expected answer: ingredients and steps for making Rice Krispie buns)

• Higher Order Question:
  "Why do you think it’s important to follow these steps in order when making the buns?"

Teacher Action:
Model explaining that procedural texts tell us how to do something step-by-step. Explain that today students will write their own recipe for Rice Krispie buns.

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2. Development (15 mins)

Activity:

• Discuss and list the ingredients and equipment needed.

• Together with the class, sequence the steps orally, encouraging students to use procedural verbs (mix, pour, wait).

• Lower Order Question:
  "Can you tell me what the first step of the recipe is?"

• Higher Order Question:
  "What might happen if we skip one of the steps or do them in the wrong order?"

Writing Task:
Students write a short procedural text (3-4 steps) in their writing books, using simple sentences and sequencing words (first, next, then, last).

Teacher Action:
Support students with sentence starters on the board and circulate to encourage vocabulary usage and structure.

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3. Conclusion (8 mins)

Oral Sharing:
Invite volunteers to share one of their steps aloud.

• Lower Order Question:
  "What is your favourite step and why?"

• Higher Order Question:
  "How could you make your instructions clearer for someone who doesn’t know how to make Rice Krispie buns?"

Assessment:
Use a simple checklist aligned with IE curriculum W1.4 to assess if the students:

• Wrote sequenced steps
• Used procedural verbs
• Used simple conjunctions/sequencers

Feedback:
Give positive oral feedback highlighting clear sequencing or good use of vocabulary.

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Differentiation

• Support students needing help with sentence structure by providing sentence frames (e.g., First, I mix…).
• Challenge higher achievers to include adjectives or explain why each step is important.

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Reflection and Extension

For homework or extension, students could attempt making Rice Krispie buns at home and write about their experience or improvements they would make next time.

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This lesson plan brings procedural writing to life through engaging stimuli, carefully scaffolded questioning, and hands-on vocabulary and structure development, truly embodying the Irish Primary English Curriculum principles and enriching the learners’ language experience.