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Topic “Instructions”
Communication activities for classes
various contributors
Created 12 September 2012; updated 11 May 2023.
Communication activities for classes
A selection of speaking and listening activities on Commtap which could be used with classes, for example on No Pens Day Wednesday. If you spot any other suitable activities on the site, you can edit this page. Or if you have an idea for another activity, you could add it to the site.
before after then in sentences
| Activity/strategy name and materials required | How to do the activity | Key principles for doing the activity and comments |
|---|---|---|
| Timetable Game A blank timetable for a school day (or week) Flashcards with lessons and other school day activities on them (e.g. assembly, playtime, literacy, history etc) Pen and paper or whiteboard | 1. Explain that you are going to give instructions and the children should take it in turns to listen to you and put the right things on the timetable. 2. Give an instruction, using 'before', 'after' and 'then'. E.g. 'Before lunch I have numeracy and then handwriting. After lunch I have ICT.' 3. Note down what you have said on paper or a whiteboard so that the children can check later. 4. Have the children take it in turns to put the things on the timetable in the order you have said. 5. Let them check it against your notes. | Give the children a chance to give instructions too. |
| Simon Says Imagination! | At first you should choose to either work on 'before' or 'after' or 'then'. Once the children respond to each concept appropriately when used individually, use them contrastively, i.e. mix instructions containing 'before' with others containing 'after'. Initially you may need to provide plenty of model responses yourself; you may need to build up the sentence to show how they work: for example say 'jump on the spot', then 'touch your head after you jump on the spot'. Make sure the child listens to the whole instruction. Make sure that you give each instruction in one go, and not as several short ones. | |
| Barrier games Pictures to colour Pens OR Blank paper Pens OR Sets of objects | It can be difficult to see what order children do the steps in, so watch carefully. They may be able to number what they do too, but after they have finished the instruction as it's too much to remember all at once. Make sure the children cannot see each others sheets to copy! You can use blank paper and have them draw things rather than colour what is already there. Or you can use objects to make a pattern and the children must make the same as yours. | |
| Picture sequencing to descriptions Sets of pictures (one for each child) E.g. food pictures, clothes pictures, activities, or topic related words. | Have the children take turns giving a description too. |
Activities to develop understanding of instructions containing 2 key words - set 1 (noun + noun)
| Activity/strategy name and materials required | How to do the activity | Key principles for doing the activity and comments |
|---|---|---|
| Shopping game (noun + noun) - printable shopping game pictures - click here - You could substitute the printed pictures for real objects. | 1. Print and cut out the pictures. 2. Put the bag and the trolley in front of the child. 3. Lay the shopping items out on the table. 4. Explain to your child you would like them to do some shopping and put the item in either the bag or the trolley. 5. Some examle instructions you could use: - put the carrot in the bag - put the pizza in the trolley 6. After a few turns, ask you child to give you an instruction. | To simplify to one key word instructions, use the food items with either the trolley or the basket, e.g. put the banana in the basket, put the apple in the basket.
To increase complexity, click here for activities focusing on three key word instructions. |
| Posting Game (noun + noun) | To simplify to one key word instructions, use the food items with either the lion or the tortoise, e.g. give the banana to the tortoise, give the yogurt to the tortoise.
| |
| Picnic (noun + noun) - Toys - tea set, 2 different soft toys and play food. | To simplify to one key word instructions, use the food items with one of the soft toys, e.g. give the banana to the teddy, give the yogurt to the teddy.
To increase complexity, click here for activities focusing on three key word instructions. | |
| Feed the puppets (noun + noun) - 2 hand puppets - Play food |
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