Sequence Sentences...and Make Your Favorite Sandwich!
Topics: First Grade, Reading, Writing
In first grade, students build up their reading skills by experimenting with different forms of writing. They may not know official terms yet, but in school, they will write both fictional and non-fiction pieces. One classic activity is the writing of a “how-to piece,” in which the author describes how to make or do something with detailed step-by step directions, written in a specific sequence.
It so happens, of course, that “how-to” writing is perfect for households. After all, it’s how staple foods like chocolate chip cookies, and peanut butter sandwiches, get made! And now that your first grader is gaining her independence, she may want to try her hand in the kitchen. Does she have a favorite sandwich? If so, then you’ve got a perfect recipe for some hands-on, “how-to” writing practice!
You Will Need:
- digital camera, printer, and printer paper
- pencil and paper
- ingredients to make your child’s favorite sandwich
What to Do:
- Invite your child to make her favorite sandwich. Help her begin by thinking about the ingredients. What will she need to make the sandwich?
- Get out the digital camera, and encourage your child to take pictures of all the ingredients and necessary items needed to make the sandwich. Then tell her to take pictures (assist as needed) of each step as she makes her sandwich.
- When she’s done making the sandwich and taking pictures, discuss with her the order in which she completed the steps. What did she do first? Next? After that? What did she do last? Ask her to consider how her sandwich might have turned out had she skipped a step, or completed a couple of steps out of order. “What would have happened if you put the top piece of bread on before you spread the peanut butter?”
- Finally, assist her in printing out the pictures of her sandwich-making adventure, and help her write out the words to describe each step. The finished product is a photographic recipe.
- For a fun twist, have each member of the family create their own photographic “how-to” recipe for their favorite sandwich, and compile the recipes into a family sandwich recipe book.
Liana Mahoney is a National Board Certified elementary teacher, currently teaching a first and second grade loop. She is also a certified Reading Specialist, with teaching experience as a former high school English teacher, and early grades Remedial Reading instructor.
Comments from readers
We did this activity not only
with a sandwich but also with
fried chicken!