How-To Writing for 2nd Grade
This 4-day packet guides 2nd graders through the process of planning and writing "How-To" pieces. Students will brainstorm topics, sequence steps, and plan their writing using graphic organizers and instructional videos.
“Make google slide show for 4 days lesson Day 1 Learning Objective: SWBAT generate lists of topics they know a lot about or could teach others about. Learning Activities: Students use the graphic organizer on page 7 to brainstorm things they know how to do at school, outside, at home, and in the kitchen. Learning Assessment: Students complete the graphic organizer with multiple topics and choose one topic they know well enough to teach others. Day 2 Learning Objective: SWBAT continue brainstorming topics for their “How-To” writing and zoom in on a topic by planning specific steps. Learning Activities: Students share topics with a partner, act out the steps, and complete the Page 9 graphic organizer by zooming in on their three best topics; teacher models the process before students practice independently. Learning Assessment: Students choose their best zoomed-in topic and demonstrate that they can identify clear, specific steps for teaching the reader how to do it. Day 3 Learning Objective: SWBAT choose a topic for their published “How-To” piece and plan each step in sequence. Learning Activities: Students watch the instructional video, choose their best topic, plan a title for each step, and sketch a picture on a Post-it for each step using the modified Page 20 graphic organizer. Video: How-To Writing Video Learning Assessment: Students complete their planning organizer with a clear topic, title, and picture sketch for each step; teacher conducts writing conferences to ensure topics are appropriate and manageable. Day 4 Learning Objective: SWBAT choose a topic for their published “How-To” piece and plan each step in sequence. Learning Activities: Students watch Exact Instructions Challenge PB&J Classroom Friendly by Josh Darnit, choose their best topic, plan a title for each step, and sketch a picture on a Post-it for each step using the modified Page 20 graphic organizer. Learning Assessment: Students complete their planning organizer with a clear topic, step titles, and picture sketches; teacher conducts writing conferences to ensure topics are appropriate and manageable.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this packet over four days to guide students through the process of writing "How-To" pieces.
- Discussion question: What makes instructions easy or difficult to follow?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Provide sentence frames for planning steps or allow students to draw more detailed pictures.
- Extension for advanced students: Encourage students to add a "troubleshooting" section to their "How-To" guide.
- Estimated time: 4 days
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free“Make google slide show for 4 days lesson Day 1 Learning Objective: SWBAT generate lists of topics they know a lot about or could teach others about. Learning Activities: Students use the graphic organizer on page 7 to brainstorm things they know how to do at school, outside, at home, and in the kitchen. Learning Assessment: Students complete the graphic organizer with multiple topics and choose one topic they know well enough to teach others. Day 2 Learning Objective: SWBAT continue brainstorming topics for their “How-To” writing and zoom in on a topic by planning specific steps. Learning Activities: Students share topics with a partner, act out the steps, and complete the Page 9 graphic organizer by zooming in on their three best topics; teacher models the process before students practice independently. Learning Assessment: Students choose their best zoomed-in topic and demonstrate that they can identify clear, specific steps for teaching the reader how to do it. Day 3 Learning Objective: SWBAT choose a topic for their published “How-To” piece and plan each step in sequence. Learning Activities: Students watch the instructional video, choose their best topic, plan a title for each step, and sketch a picture on a Post-it for each step using the modified Page 20 graphic organizer. Video: How-To Writing Video Learning Assessment: Students complete their planning organizer with a clear topic, title, and picture sketch for each step; teacher conducts writing conferences to ensure topics are appropriate and manageable. Day 4 Learning Objective: SWBAT choose a topic for their published “How-To” piece and plan each step in sequence. Learning Activities: Students watch Exact Instructions Challenge PB&J Classroom Friendly by Josh Darnit, choose their best topic, plan a title for each step, and sketch a picture on a Post-it for each step using the modified Page 20 graphic organizer. Learning Assessment: Students complete their planning organizer with a clear topic, step titles, and picture sketches; teacher conducts writing conferences to ensure topics are appropriate and manageable.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this packet over four days to guide students through the process of writing "How-To" pieces.
- Discussion question: What makes instructions easy or difficult to follow?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Provide sentence frames for planning steps or allow students to draw more detailed pictures.
- Extension for advanced students: Encourage students to add a "troubleshooting" section to their "How-To" guide.
- Estimated time: 4 days
How-To Writing for 2nd Grade
This 4-day packet guides 2nd graders through the process of planning and writing "How-To" pieces. Students will brainstorm topics, sequence steps, and plan their writing using graphic organizers and instructional videos.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free